Game Day--Eastern Michigan 2024

 I think UMass has made a serious upgrade in the number of athletes on the roster as well as depth and speed in 2024.

Today we get to see the result. I'm hoping for a victory and the start of a new era of UMass football.

Go UMass!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports the players are hoping the student show up.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Gazette breaks down the Minutemen's season's opponents.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boston.com says the 2024 season is a glimpse into the future. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews the UMass-Eastern Michigan game and predicts a close EMU win. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football news predicts a 38-34 EMU win. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Athol Daily News asks if the Minutemen can take another step forward in 2024.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" predicts UMass 27 EMU 20. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kay'Ron Lynch  Adams ran for 101 yards (11 yards/carry) and a TD in Michigan State's win over FAU last night. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Western Michigan Broncos gave Wisconsin a hard time last night, but lost 28-14. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 30th, 2024

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the Minutemen's 2024 season. I agree with most of his conclusions. Next year will will play a complete MAC schedule which means we get to play the bottom of the league as well as just the top end of it. That will make the wins and losses better.

Three SEC teams are a challenge. Boston College would likely loss all three to Georgia, Missouri and @ Mississippi State. While money games are a fact of life for Group-of-Five, three Power Four teams are too many.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UMass dinning commons is ranked #1 for the eight year in a row.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass will wear white helmets, black jerseys and black pants with maroon trim for the opener with Eastern Michigan.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The MAC's best chance for a Power Four scalp may be this Saturday when Miami (Ohio) will play Northwestern. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former UMass center Joe Horn is rehabbing an injury at Maine. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Sports Book Wire predicts UMass 30 EMU 24.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last night Buffalo beat Lafayette 30-13.

CCSU got run over by Central Michigan 66-10. Brady Olsen went 12-20 91 yards 0 TD 0 Int.

Missouri beat Murray State 51-0.  The Tigers held the Racers to 85 total yards and 5 first downs.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 29th, 2024

 The Hampshire Gazette breaks down the UMass Game #1 depth chart.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Sports Illustrated writer thinks UMass will cover the spread. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews the game between Central Michigan and UMass' first FCS opponent of the 2024 season: Central Connecticut. 

Former UMass QB Brady Olsen has been named starting QB for CCSU. Olsen's Blue Devils bio here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews Buffalo, UMass' third opponent of 2024, game against Lafayette. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt has the last preseason MAC power ranking (including UMass).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former UMass QB Carlos Davis is in a QB battle at Towson. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 28th, 2024

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" finishes his position reviews with linebackers, defensive backs and specialists.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass kicks off its season against Eastern Michigan.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass is a slight favorite over Eastern Michigan and UConn is a 23 point underdog against Maryland.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass' third opponent of 2024:Toledo, opens it's season against Duquense . 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

After week #0, Georgia is still #1, Missouri is #11 and Liberty is receiving votes,

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News---August 27th, 2024

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has two position reviews: Defensive Line and Edge Rushers.

The Minutemen have a mostly new front seven this year. We usually are weak against the run and do OK in pass defense. A more athletic front seven would be a big step towards respectability. Coach Brown is known for his defensive schemes, but he has to have the players to work with. I think this year we'll see more defensive packages and a more attacking defense.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Eastern Michigan game notes and two-deep are up on the UMass website. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chris Tucci image

The Hampshire Gazette reports Coach Brown and UMass QB Taisun Phommachanh are in a reflective mood.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan's game notes for UMass are here. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews the  Eastern Michigan Eagles offense.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn becomes the first team in college football to place NIL collective logos on their turf. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 26th, 2024

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" continues his 2024 position review with the offensive line.

As I said in my review, this is probably the deepest OL we've had in FBS. The big guys lead the way and I hope they lead UMass to the best offensive showing in years.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Da'Marrion Alberic/Criss Tucci image

The Hampshire Gazette reports coach Brown thinks UMass has some speed this year. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt reviews Toledo's defense, the Minutemen's second opponent of the season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt also reviews Buffalo's defense. The Minutemen and the Bulls collide in the third game of the season.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Winners and losers from week 0 of college football.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Blog News--August 25th, 2024

 Mrs Blog and I are traveling this week and we will  be stay in a cabin in New Hampshire's outback. There is supposed to be Wi-Fi, but if the blog goes dark, I'll be back on Friday.

UMass Football News--August 25th, 2024

 Hustle Belt previews the 2024 UMass defense. The Minutemen defensive statistics are distorted  by the Power Five schools we play. Taking out Penn State and Auburn moves the UMass defensive stats out of the bottom of all FBS. The 2023 stats were not great Arkansas State and Liberty rang up big numbers against us, but against Grooup-of-Five schools we did OK.

This year, Missouri, Mississippi State and Georgia should again push our defensive stats down.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EA Sports has UMass as one of the lowest rated teams in the game.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UMass "X" feed has some images from the end of Fall camp.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football has started!

Florida State was upset by Georgia Tech.

FCS Montana State scored 21 straight points in the fourth quarter to beat New Mexico.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 24th, 2024

 

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" reviews the 2024 Minutemen tight ends.

This year's TE room should substantially increase the receptions by TE's in the UMass passing game. Dominic Mazotti should be the #1 TE based on his 33 games played. Graduate transfer Jaelyn Lay should be in the mix for two TE situations. 

Redshirt senior Matt Smith could also contribute. We'll be seeing pretty much a new group of TE's and we should see more production in the Minutemen offense.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt reviews the 2024 UMass offense.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wager Talk.com has a somewhat incoherent review of the 2024 Minutemen. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt reviews 2024 opponent (and MAC champions) Miami (Ohio)'s defense. 

The old saw "defense wins championships" was true for the Red Hawks in 2023.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports experienced FCS transfers look to reinforce the UMass secondary.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 23rd, 2024

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a position review of the 2024 wide receivers.

As I said in my "Why I'm optimistic" post, I think the wide receiver room has significantly more talent than in 2022. 

With Anthony Simson,  Sterling Galban, Frank Ladson, Jakobie Keeney-James and more the UMass passing game should be the most productive we have seen for a long time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chris Tucci image

The Athol Daily News features Anthony Simpson and his role leading the WR room.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan WR Oran Singleton will wear the prized number "2"  jersey for the Eagles this year.

EMU punter Michael Tomasek is a two-time preseason Ray Guy Award nominee. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The MAC conference will be the second conference after the Big Ten to implement game-day injury reports.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 22nd, 2024

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a position review: running backs.

Right now, the running back room is an unknown quantity. Coach Brown has repeatedly praised Jalen John. However, we have not seen much action from him so far. The late addition of Brandon Campbell may indicate there was some unease among the coaches about the status of the running back room.

The Greenfield Recorder has a post on Campbell joining the Minutemen. In his past tenure with UMass, Coach Brown liked to have a featured running back. The Minutemen might have to run by committee until Campbell gets his legs under him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass WR Frank Ladson has been named to the Senior Bowl watch list. Ladson and Anthony Simpson should make it hard for opposing defenses to double coverage either Ladson or Simpson.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hero Sports has the 2025 (so far) recruiting rankings for the MAC.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Eastern Michigan website has a post featuring Eagles DT Peyton Price.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football News predicts Toledo 52 Duquesne 17 in the Rockets opener.

Former Toledo QB Dequan Finn has been named starter at Baylor.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 21st, 2024

 

Ahmad Haston/Chris Tucci image

Michael Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a 2024 quarterback position review.

As I said when I reviewed the QB room, I think the 2024 quarterbacks are as deep as we've had in a long time. Hopefully, Taisun Phommachanh will stay healthy and lead us to victories this year.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UMass Athletic dept announces the 2024 Minutemen Hall-of-Fame class.

In it is Dennis Fenton who won letters in 1974, 1975 and 1976. Fenton was first team all Yankee Conference in 1976.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For 2024 opening opponent Eastern Michigan, Broderick Roman is the heart of the Eagles offensive line. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt looks at this year's rebuilt offense for the Toledo Rockets. Toledo lost the MAC's MVP and the MAC's Offensive player-of-the-year to the transfer portal. In addition the Rockets retain zero offensive line starters. For most MAC teams that would signal a rebuilding year, but Toledo will probably still contend for the MAC championship.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt also previews Buffalo's defense. The Bulls are the Minutemen's third game of the season and a decent opportunity for a road win.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 20th, 2024

 

Chris Tucci image

The Greenfield Recorder reports technology comes to UMass kicking and punting.

Fans tend to under rate the kicking game. Most pundits believe that in general, home teams tend to have about  3 point advantage. That's one field goal for the opposing team. Last year Cameron Carson was #77 in kicking, averaging one field goal per game.

MAC leading Miami (Ohio) averaged two per game. Two field goals a game would have added UMass wins over Eastern Michigan and New Mexico.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JUST STOP

Saturday Blitz has eight Group-of-Five coaches on the hot seat.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HERO Sports predicts 4.5 wins for UConn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HERO Sports also has the over-and-under for the entire MAC conference. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NBC Sports summarizes the changes to college football in 2023. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 19th, 2023

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post on UMass' wins and losses in 2024.

He's right that it's a difficult schedule. The five MAC teams are the meat of the 2024 schedule, but we play four of the five on the road. In college football, road wins are tough. If we played a complete MAC schedule, we'd play Akron and Kent State and half of the games would be at home.

Three SEC teams are more than any Group-of-Five school would want to play. The players like the challenge, but the losses hurt fan morale.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The DeKalb County Journal says 2024 opponent Northern Illinois stands pat during college football's days of change.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football News has the Toledo Rockets top-10 players returning for 2024. Toledo lost the most talent of the entire MAC in the transfer portal. However, the Rockets are also the MAC's deepest team and should still contend for the MAC championship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey, we got the same number of preseason Top-25 votes as the Florida Gators did!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 17th, 2024

 

University of Houston image

UMass has added a late transfer RB Brandon Campbell.

Campbell was a three or four star RB out of HS.

In 2022 for Houston, he led the team with 90 carries for 435 yards and 4 TD's.

Campbell is a solid addition to the RB room. He has two years of eligibility and should see some time as soon as he learns the Minutemen offense.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports the UMass defense should be smaller, but faster in 2024. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football News covers the Minutemen's top-10 players for 2024. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass' opening opponent Eastern Michigan adds two future games with Michigan.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

# 9 Missouri stays sharp as opening week approaches. The Tigers have an excellent schedule for 2024. They open with four home games against Murray State, Buffalo, Boston College and Vanderbilt. The Tigers should go 4-0 in those games. Missouri plays at Texas A&M the week before they play UMass. The Tigers could be 5-0 by the time they play at McGuirk. In addition, they do not play Georgia or Alabama in the regular season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

UMass Football News--August 16th, 2024

 

The UMass "X" feed has some images from practice.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football News has the 2024 strength-of-schedule for the entire MAC.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews 2024 opponent Toledo's offense.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2024 opponent Northern Illinois is 3rd in the nation with 20 players who have played their entire career with one team.

UMass has not played the Huskies since the 2012-2013. That was the PJ Fleck era at Northern Illinois and both games did not end well for the Minutemen.

• 2012 UMass lost 0-63

• 2013 UMass lost 19-63

The Huskies went 7-6 in 2023. That includes wins over Boston College (27-24 OT) and a Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State (21-19), who blew out the Minutemen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2024 opponent Georgia's roster is littered with top-100 college football players.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

 

UMass Football News--August 15th, 2024

 UMass announces some game enhancements, changes in traffic patterns and more.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solid Verbal has a podcast covering college football's independent teams.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Toledo Blade says the Toledo Rockets could be "freaky good" this year. 

VSIN predicts the Rockets will make the MAC championship game have between 8 and nine wins this year.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

VSIn also predicts between four and five wins for the Buffalo Bulls.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transfer QB Blake Shapen comments on Mississippi State's first fall scrimmage.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in Storrs, UConn is dealing with some issues.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 14th, 2024

 WHY I'M OPTIMISTIC, PART IV

Previously I've said I think this team has talent and depth at defensive backfield, offensive line and wide receivers.

I also think UMass has the most QB talent since the Andrew Ford, Blake Fronapfel era.

Taisun Phommachanh went 9 GP 120.4 EFF 159-227 6 INT 61.2 % 1507 Total yards 167.4 yards/game. When he was healthy, the UMass offense had an extra gear. One commentator, after watching highlights of the UMass-New Mexico State game said "He looks like an SEC quarterback" (I know Clemson is in the ACC). 

If Phommachanh plays 12 games he should break the 2,000 yards mark throwing. He also ran 48 times for a 4.8 yards/rush. His dual-threat abilities should make him a bad match-up for Group-of-Five teams.

In addition, I like Ahmad Haston. In 2023, Haston went 3 GP 178.7 EFF 11-11- 176 1 INT 2 TD's. Haston is a sure starter in 2025. He also rushed for 16-66 3.4 yards/carry. With a year of football completed, he should be an excellent back-up this year.

I also like true freshman AJ Hairston. I think he's an FBS-level quarterback who'll be in the mix in 2025 and beyond.

UMass is carrying six QB's on the roster. Also available is Ryan Jankowski (a transfer from Akron), Will Perry and Luke LoPresti.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football News looks at the strength-of-schedule for the Independents.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bleacher Report looks at the UMass-Eastern Michigan game details. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newsday says Brett Gabbert's return as starting QB for Miami (Ohio) makes the Red Hawks a favorite for the MAC championship.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 13th, 2024

 

The Hampshire Gazette/Greenfield Recorder reports Don Brown's "Thunderstruck" drill is still a feature of the Minutemen's practice.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass athletes (including football) complete the second annual Bridge program.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The MAC conference stands alone in having zero teams getting votes in the AP preseason 2025 vote. Miami (Ohio) did get some votes in the coaches poll.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jelani Stafford, a 6-1 300 pound athlete has made a name for himself playing both ways for the UConn Huskies.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Liberty Flames look to defend their C-USA title. 

The College Football Network has Liberty having the second easiest schedule in 2024, which will help.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The CFN also ranks schedule difficulty for the entire MAC Conference. Says UMass will be the easiest game for Miami (Ohio).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--Aughust 12th, 2024

 R,J. Young ranks UMass #112 in his preseason college football rankings.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BVM comments (probably their AI comments) on UMass' #112 ranking.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass' opening opponent Eastern Michigan kicks off fall camp with energy and unity.

EMU's LB JT Killen has been named to the Shrine Bowl's 1000 list.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game Haus predicts September 28th opponent Miami (Ohio) to win the MAC.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy says the NCAA is becoming a "non-factor" in college football.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UCLA HC Rick Neuheisel says Oregon has an "unlimited" NIL from booster Phil Knight.

Remember when SMU was given the death penalty because boosters were giving money to the Mustangs players?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 10th, 2024

 The Hampshire Gazette says UMass' experienced offensive line should be a strength in 2024

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Western Mass News has UMass players react to being playable in EA Sports College Football 25.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a probably AI written post,  College football News previews the November 30th UMass-UConn game. Note that the story has both the Minutemen's and the Huskies' 2023 won-loss record wrong.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VSin predicts UMass will finish under the 3.5 win mark.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Speaking of UConn..

Coach Mora says the Huskies must earn the fans trust. 

College Football News says UConn's 2024 schedule is more than winnable.

VSin predicts the Huskies will make the over at 4.5 wins in 2024.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Blog News--August 9th, 2024

 I had to publish today's blog post twice because Blogger found it had "sensitive content"

From Blogger's e-mail:

"Hello,

    As you may know, our Community Guidelines (https://blogger.com/go/contentpolicy) describe the boundaries for what we allow-- and don't allow-- on Blogger. Your post titled "UMass Football News--August 9th, 2024" was flagged to us for review. This post was put behind a warning for readers because it contains sensitive content; the post is visible at http://umass74.blogspot.com/2024/08/umass-football-news-august-9th-2024.html. Your blog readers must acknowledge the warning before being able to read the post/blog.

    Why was your blog post put behind a warning for readers?
    Your content has been evaluated according to our Adult Content policy. Please visit our Community Guidelines page linked in this email to learn more.

    We apply warning messages to posts that contain sensitive content. If you are interested in having the status reviewed, please update the content to adhere to Blogger's Community Guidelines. Once the content is updated, you may republish it at https://www.blogger.com/go/appeal-post?blogId=13308828&postId=327900882215462301. This will trigger a review of the post. You may have the option to pursue your claims in court. If you have legal questions or wish to examine legal options that may be available to you, you may want to consult with your own legal counsel.

    For more information, please review the following resources:

    Terms of Service: https://www.blogger.com/go/terms
    Blogger Community Guidelines: https://blogger.com/go/contentpolicy

    Sincerely,

The Blogger team"

Maybe I hurt Blogger's AI content supervisor's feelings with declaring the UMass Football Blog and AI-free zone :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 9th, 2024

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

UMass Football News--August 8th, 2024

 

UMass athletic dept image

The Hampshire Gazette has a post on new Minutemen offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery settling in at UMass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Lately UMass has been playing teams out of the NEC for our FCS game. This year Merrimack and Sacred Heart left the MAC for the non-football MAAC, so both teams will play as independents this year.

UMass' 2024 opponents Wagner and CCSU are picked #6 and #7 in the NEC preseason rankings.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Four QB's are in contention to start for UConn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in Starkville, confidence in Mississippi State's offense is high. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 7th, 2024

 The Hampshire Gazette has Coach Dudzinski on the growth of defensive leadership in Don Brown's third year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opening opponent Eastern Michigan is +3500 to win the MAC championship.

The Eagles play Washington and Jacksonville State as part of their OOC schedule. Washington is a national title contender and the Gamecocks went 9-4 last year, losing the C-USA title game to New Mexico State.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Covers has a MAC conference season preview and betting odds.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authorities arrest a man who threatened a "mass causality" event at last year's Army-Navy game.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2024 SEC opponent Mississippi State is searching for stability. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn head coach Jim Mora talks about transfer QB Nick Evers.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 6th, 2024

 The American Football Coaches preseason coaches poll is up. UMass plays #1 Georgia and #11 Missouri from the top-25. Liberty and Miami (Ohio) are in "others receiving votes" category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Greenfield Recorder has a story about the Minutemen defense being tested against three SEC opponents.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHY I'M OPTIMISTIC. PART III

Do you remember 2022 when Gino Campiotti, our QB, would roll out looking to pass and then pull it down and run for two or three yards? My long term friend who has been sitting with me all these years kept muttering "No one was open, no one was open".

I think this year's wide receiver group has the potential to be the deepest we've seen in a long time.

It all starts with slot receiver Anthony Simpson. He was Phil Steel's First Team All-independent in 2023. He went 57-792, 3 TD's in 2023. I think this year Simpson will have some help.

Sterling Galban 5-10 170 (graduate transfer from Jacksonville State/Texas Tech. He had 39-559 and 4 TD's for the Gamecocks.)

Frank Ladson Jr 6-3 200 (graduate transfer from Miami. He went 17 GP 9 GS 27-298 and 1 TD with the Hurricanes.  Also appeared in over 30 games for Clemson)

Jakobie Keeney-James 6-1 195 (graduate transfer from Eastern Washington. He had 61-825 and 4 TD's in his career for the Eagles).

In addition UMass added:

Dominick Mazzotti 6-4 250 (graduate transfer TE from San Jose State. He went 34 GP 20 GS 57-747 and 5 TD's  for the Spartans).

Taken as a group, this is a big upgrade from 2022. Minutemen QB Taisun Phommachanh should have a lot of open WR's to work with.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 5th, 2024

 WHY I'M OPTIMISTIC, PART II

I said in my last post I thought the 2024 Minutemen had the most talent of the FBS era.

Coach Brown loves DB's and I think this year's secondary is good, as good as anyone in the Group-of-Five in fact.

I think probable starters are:

CB Isaiah Rutherford 6-1 195 (2023 College Football Network All-Independent Honorable mention)

CB Lake Ellis 6-0 180 (transfer from Bryant. 180 TT, 6 INT's 19 BKUP for the Bulldogs)

SS Te'Rai Powell 6-0 195 (2023 All-Independent Honorable Mention)

FS Tyler Rudolph 6-0 210 (2023 2nd Team All-Independent)

UMass adds Leonard St. Gourdin 6-3 200 (transfer from Dartmouth, 47 TT 8 BKUP 2 FF)

UMass could play a 3-3-5 defense in some circumstances with this group. This is an all-senior unit and I think they're going to play some exciting football this year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan, UMass' opening opponent has a 3.5 wins over-and-under.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt has "What's new with the Toledo Rockets?". Toledo has been the MAC's best team for the past 15 years, but can they continue after losing DeQuan Finn and Penny Boone (the MAC's MVP and Offensive Player-of-the-Year).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt also previews 2024 opponent Northern Illinois's offense. Our last tour with the MAC coincided with P.J. Fleck's era at the Huskies. They usually scored 50+ points against us.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 3rd, 2024

 

UMass Football is open for business and Coach Brown has a opening camp presser.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports UMass QB Taisun Phommachanh is healthy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Gazette also has a post on the Minutemen opening camp. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass and UConn are mentioned in this post (maybe mostly AI written) on lesser know college football rivalries. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan, UMass' opening game opponent, has started Fall camp. The page includes some video from their camp.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Devon St. Clair, a 6-2 195 pound Athlete from Orlando, FL has committed to UMass

I blogged about St. Clair back on June 16th. Welcome to Amherst and I look forward to Following his career with the Minutemen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass' first SEC opponent Missouri will have a new defensive scheme.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 2nd, 2024

 UMass should be on the field today as the Minutemen get ready for the season opener against Eastern Michigan on August 31st.

WHY I'M OPTIMISTIC PART II

UMass Football Blog image

I've mentioned several times about my practice visit in 2021 where UMass was practicing with eight offensive linemen.

I think the 2024 offensive linemen room is the deepest and maybe most talented group UMass has had in a long time. The big guys up front make the offense go and with Taisen Phommachanh at QB, I have high hopes for this year's offense.

Some pundits have predicted the starting O-line could be:

LT Brayden Rhome 6-6 300 (transfer from Cal)

LG Mao Glynn 6-3 305 (transfer from Cincinnati)

C Josh Atwood 6-2 330 (last year's starter)

RG Paul Tchio 6-5 305 (transfer from Georgia Tech/Clemson)

RT Ethan Mottinger 6-5 315 (last year's starter)

Also available are:

Benjamin Roy 6-2 295 (transfer from UCLA)

 Peyton Miller 6-3 310 Redshirt Freshman

Luke Painton 6-6 315 (Graduate transfer from Columbia)

Wyatt Terlaak 6-4 335 (appeared in several games last year) 

Cole Erickson 6-6 290 Redshirt Sophomore

Brock Taylor 6-3 315 Freshman

William Jones 6-2 310 (transfer from Grambling State)

Tanner Burlingame 6-5 305 Freshman

Riley Bloch 6-3 295 Freshman 

Jaxon King 6-6 310 (transfer from Grambling State)

Ryan Mosesso 6-5 310 Redshirt Junior

The Minutemen have 16 OL's going into camp and that's about where a FBS team should be.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt has 2024 preseason MAC conference awards Watchlist tracker.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--August 1st, 2024

 

I believe Fall camp starts today with meetings and other procedural stuff. On-the-field work starts tomorrow.

The latest version of the 2024 roster is up.

I'm optimistic. I think the 2024 roster has more FBS-level players than any roster we have had since we went to the top division in 2012.

The 2024 schedule is difficult. We play three SEC teams and the probable conference champs in the MAC and C-USA. UMass plays five MAC teams, which are in our wheelhouse, but we play four of the five on the road. See home field advantage.

Despite the schedule I think the Minutemen have a chance to win four or five games. We should beat Central Connecticut State and Wagner. UMass is currently a slim 1-point favorite over Eastern Michigan. The Minutemen should be competitive with Buffalo and Western Michigan on the road. Our best ever MAC result was 3-5 in 2014 in the MAC East under Coach Whipple.

Crucial to our season is UConn. It's our bowl game. UMass has to play the Huskies one week after getting beat up by Georgia. UConn plays Syracuse on the road the same weekend. At least it's a home game for the Minutemen. 

UMass could have a chance to upset Liberty. The Flames play a cakewalk schedule, ranked by some as the lowest difficulty in 2024. The Minutemen will be coming off a bye week and we're playing at home. The Flames will be coming off a road game with Middle Tennessee State. The Flames are a warm weather team and I'm hoping for a cold, drizzling, November day at McGuirk. I think Liberty will lose at least once in 2024 and we have as good a chance as anyone on their schedule.

So I'm hoping for four or five wins. To make six wins and a bowl game UMass will have to beat three of five MAC teams and beat UConn or Liberty.

Go UMass!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you're thinking of traveling to Georgia to see UMass play the Dogs, be prepared for one of the highest priced tickets in college football. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yahoo News thinks 2024 opponents Missouri and Georgia could make the college football playoffs.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------