Well, UMass looked like a team playing their first game with minimal practice time. However, I saw some promising signs. For one thing, the defense looked much faster and more athletic. The defensive backfield blew two coverages in the first half and the whole defense was sucked in during a reverse. After the first quarter, the defense played well.
However, the d-line played good all game. GSU did not get much rushing yardage between the tackles. We had five TFL and the defense, operating on the UMass side of the field all day, made a number of stops. By the second half, the defense looked strong and did not fade. GSU gained 308 yards rushing, just about their average.
I liked the play of Viczaril Alobwede, Mike Ruane, Te'Rai Powell and Gerrell Johnson.
The offense was less successful. Primarily because we could not run the ball. Ellis Merriweather had no holes to run to all game. The offensive line did not get any push even against GSU's second stringers in the fourth quarter. We need better results from the UMass offensive line.
All three QB's UMass played looked decent. The Minutemen had terrible field position all game and that limited the play choices somewhat.
On special teams, we shanked a punt and missed a field goal. Punt and return coverage was pretty good except for one return.
I thought the team looked like we have a lot of potential. Many of the freshmen are going to be good players for us. We need more practice time...
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Mike Moran of the Gazette said UMass' first game was a dud.
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If you missed it, Liberty dominated Syracuse 38-21 in a game that was not as close as the score indicates.
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Boston College got run over by Virginia Tech 40-14.
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