Matty V. has a story on news and roster up dates. Safety Christian Burt is no longer practicing with the team because of academic issues. He's a RS junior so he could return, if academically qualified, for his senior season.
Matty also mentions that John Griffin has been signed to the Jets.
Jets news story about Griffin here. Griffin's Jets bio page here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The UMass Daily Collegian has winless UMass faces struggling Akron.
Harry Plumer of MassLive says Coach Molnar's battles with Akron go back a long way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Star breaks down the MAC.
Northern Illinois-Toledo will be on ESPN2.
A couple of weeks ago, people were talking Ohio deserved a BCS bid. They lost for the second time against Bowling Green last night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz's Giants teammates don't want to hear about fashion.
News Day says DB's are getting physical with Victor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Wednesday--November 7th, 2012
Harry Plumer has UMass adjusting to colder weather.
From Plumer's article: list of freshmen redshirts
Dalvin Battle, WR (medical)
Stacey Bedell, RB (medical)
John Bieren, DL
Byron Cooper, LB
Julian Kaminoff, DB
Leo Krizanovic, LB
Vondell Langston, LB
Adam Richard, DL
Tyrell Smith, OL (medical)
Ian Sybilis, WR/DB
Matt Testani, LS
Dylan Thomas, K
CBS Boston quotes Coach Molnar saying "Nothing is easy right now."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass has two former UMass football players on the 2012 UMass Hall-of-fame: Khari Samuel and Phil Vandersea
Story here.
Samuel's UMass bio here.
Also selected was Phil Vandersea (NFL Bio).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC conference rises to #4 on CBS' conference rankings. Relevant quote from the article:"It is very possible that, at the end of the year, there could be as many -- if not more -- ranked teams from the MAC as there are from the ACC, Big Ten or Big East."
The MAC Report Online looks at week #11 in the conference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Plumer's article: list of freshmen redshirts
Dalvin Battle, WR (medical)
Stacey Bedell, RB (medical)
John Bieren, DL
Byron Cooper, LB
Julian Kaminoff, DB
Leo Krizanovic, LB
Vondell Langston, LB
Adam Richard, DL
Tyrell Smith, OL (medical)
Ian Sybilis, WR/DB
Matt Testani, LS
Dylan Thomas, K
CBS Boston quotes Coach Molnar saying "Nothing is easy right now."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass has two former UMass football players on the 2012 UMass Hall-of-fame: Khari Samuel and Phil Vandersea
Story here.
Samuel's UMass bio here.
Also selected was Phil Vandersea (NFL Bio).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC conference rises to #4 on CBS' conference rankings. Relevant quote from the article:"It is very possible that, at the end of the year, there could be as many -- if not more -- ranked teams from the MAC as there are from the ACC, Big Ten or Big East."
The MAC Report Online looks at week #11 in the conference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Recruiting 2013--Jackson Porter
 |
| Brian Krista image |
Porter's Rivals page here.
Invited to 2012 All-Star game.
Ran a 10.84 100 meters and a 21.69 200 meters this spring.
Also has an offer from Elon. Drawing interest from Penn State and Rutgers.
Tuesday -- November 6th, 2012
The day the campaign ads stop...
Matty V. says UMass is finally into a slate of games in which they should be competitive.
Jordan Broadnax will return for the Akron game. Broadnax has been a force on kick returns. True freshman Stacey Bedell will apply for a medical redshirt. With Michael Cox a senior, Bedell looks to be the featured RB for UMass next year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer says both UMass and Akron are cautiously optimistic this week.
USA Today has Akron eight slots ahead of UMass 1-124 FBS list.
Keepers College football rankings have the Zips over UMass by 19+
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Northern Star says the MAC deserves respect.
Ball State and Toledo gear up for a shootout.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz took a big hit in the Giants loss to the Steelers.
GlobalGrind.com says Victor could snap his fingers and get a recording hit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. says UMass is finally into a slate of games in which they should be competitive.
Jordan Broadnax will return for the Akron game. Broadnax has been a force on kick returns. True freshman Stacey Bedell will apply for a medical redshirt. With Michael Cox a senior, Bedell looks to be the featured RB for UMass next year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer says both UMass and Akron are cautiously optimistic this week.
USA Today has Akron eight slots ahead of UMass 1-124 FBS list.
Keepers College football rankings have the Zips over UMass by 19+
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Northern Star says the MAC deserves respect.
Ball State and Toledo gear up for a shootout.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz took a big hit in the Giants loss to the Steelers.
GlobalGrind.com says Victor could snap his fingers and get a recording hit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, November 05, 2012
Recruiting Aaron Hush
Rivals.com says UMass has offered to Aaron Hush, a 6-4 290 pound JUCO DL from Dean College.
Hush's Rivals page here.
This April 2012 article features Hush.
He spent two years with Temple.
Hush has offers from Akron, UConn, North Carolina State, Penn State, Pitt and Vanderbilt.
Hush's Rivals page here.
This April 2012 article features Hush.
He spent two years with Temple.
Hush has offers from Akron, UConn, North Carolina State, Penn State, Pitt and Vanderbilt.
Monday--November 5th, 2012
The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass stomped by Northern Illinois.
NJ.com says, tongue-in-cheek, UMass should put the pads away before someone gets hurt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday's foe Akron gave 8-1 Kent State a run for it's money last week.
By way of comparison, Akron lost to Northern Illinois 37-7 on October 20th.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland.com speculates that the MAC could get a BCS bowl this year.
Toledo rose to #23 in the latest AP poll. Northern Illinois and Kent State were the first two out of the Top-25. Toledo also appears in the BCS pol.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday I blogged about Kentucky losing to Vanderbilt by roughly the same amount we did. The Wildcats have announced a coaching change.
UMass has an upcoming series with Colorado in 2014, 2015 and 2019. The Buffs have been having issues this year too.
Boston.com says 2-7 Boston College looks for motivation.
UConn is having problems finding any silver lining.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NJ.com says, tongue-in-cheek, UMass should put the pads away before someone gets hurt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday's foe Akron gave 8-1 Kent State a run for it's money last week.
By way of comparison, Akron lost to Northern Illinois 37-7 on October 20th.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland.com speculates that the MAC could get a BCS bowl this year.
Toledo rose to #23 in the latest AP poll. Northern Illinois and Kent State were the first two out of the Top-25. Toledo also appears in the BCS pol.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday I blogged about Kentucky losing to Vanderbilt by roughly the same amount we did. The Wildcats have announced a coaching change.
UMass has an upcoming series with Colorado in 2014, 2015 and 2019. The Buffs have been having issues this year too.
Boston.com says 2-7 Boston College looks for motivation.
UConn is having problems finding any silver lining.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Recruiting 2013--Brandon Weir
 |
| Weir #53/ USA Today image |
Weir's ESPN page here.
Rivals page here.
Weir has offers from Air Force and Army and Bucknell. UConn is also interested.
Sunday--November 4th, 2012
The UMass-NIU game played out the way the pundits predicted. The Minutemen were no match for the Huskies. That said, UMass could have played better. UMass dropped passes that would have sustained drives. We dropped an interception that would have saved a NIU touchdown. The defense didn't wrap up on numerous tackles that led to long Husky gains. A couple of fumbles stopped a UMass drive and set up the Huskies for an easy score.
Perhaps the long season and the schedule (all those road games) have made an impact on the struggling Minutemen. I think UMass needs to have something positive happen. It's just very tough when there is no positive reinforcement for the players.
As I said yesterday, UMass has played some very good teams this year. I watched Vanderbilt beat Kentucky (an established SEC team with full FBS scholarships) 40-0, a score not far from UMass' results. NIU is one of the best teams in the country. It's another argument for FBS playoffs because BCS teams will be able to avoid Northern Illinois in bowl games. The Huskies would send some big name teams home in a FCS-style 16 game playoff.
And a big Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot to the NIU community for a 11,114 attendance for a 9-1 team!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Illinois' write-up here.
UMass' write-up here .
Matty V. said UMass continued to struggle.
MassLive said UMass got thumped.
The Chicago Tribune said NIU mauled UMass.
Boston.com said UMass was routed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misery loves company Dept: New England football continues have a brutal year.
Boston College fell to 2-7. The Eagles are officially non-bowl eligible.
And UConn is in the basement of the Big East.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps the long season and the schedule (all those road games) have made an impact on the struggling Minutemen. I think UMass needs to have something positive happen. It's just very tough when there is no positive reinforcement for the players.
As I said yesterday, UMass has played some very good teams this year. I watched Vanderbilt beat Kentucky (an established SEC team with full FBS scholarships) 40-0, a score not far from UMass' results. NIU is one of the best teams in the country. It's another argument for FBS playoffs because BCS teams will be able to avoid Northern Illinois in bowl games. The Huskies would send some big name teams home in a FCS-style 16 game playoff.
And a big Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot to the NIU community for a 11,114 attendance for a 9-1 team!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Illinois' write-up here.
UMass' write-up here .
Matty V. said UMass continued to struggle.
MassLive said UMass got thumped.
The Chicago Tribune said NIU mauled UMass.
Boston.com said UMass was routed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misery loves company Dept: New England football continues have a brutal year.
Boston College fell to 2-7. The Eagles are officially non-bowl eligible.
And UConn is in the basement of the Big East.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Game Day--Northern Illinois
It's been quite an introduction to FBS football for UMass. If you've been following the articles and comments here, you know that the MAC has been having a remarkable season, maybe it's best ever. Counting today's foe, the cumulative results of the five MAC teams UMass will have played is 31-14. Ball State, Bowling Green, Ohio and Northern Illinois are all bowl eligible. This is actually a good thing. It means more revenue and TV exposure for the league in the future and for UMass will benefit for it. Still, it's kinda amazin' that the year UMass joins, the MAC is the strongest it's ever been.
Michigan needs one win to be bowl eligible. Indiana is 3-6, but have you looked at their losses? The Hoosiers lost to Ball State, Michigan State, Ohio State and Navy---by a combined total of 11 points! UConn is not a good FBS team, but they still have Don Brown's defense.
Today we should be outgunned again. Later in this blog post one writer says Northern Illinois is better than Michigan. Still, as the Minutemen have all season, we'll will show up. I'll be watching the video stream. Hope all UMass fans will keep the faith. Better times are coming.
Go UMass!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Illinois will have live streaming of the game.
The Huskies game notes.
UMass' game notes.
Matty V. says Northern Illinois will be a tough test for UMass.
Boston.com says UMass seeks some sort of spark against Northern Illinois.
The Dekalb Daily Chronicle says the Huskies are massive favorites against UMass.
The Chicago Tribune previews the UMass-NIU game.
MassLive's Harry Plumer states UMass hopes to contain NIU's Jordan Lynch.
He has another story about the Minutemen being 34.5 underdogs and some MAC links.
Hustle Belt's Matt Sussman says NIU is better than Michigan and hopes the game won't be 70-0 Huskies.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC Report Online previews this week's conference games.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile in the recruiting wars:
A Palm Beach man was hospitalized after he was injured trying to jump over a moving car---to impress college recruiters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan needs one win to be bowl eligible. Indiana is 3-6, but have you looked at their losses? The Hoosiers lost to Ball State, Michigan State, Ohio State and Navy---by a combined total of 11 points! UConn is not a good FBS team, but they still have Don Brown's defense.
Today we should be outgunned again. Later in this blog post one writer says Northern Illinois is better than Michigan. Still, as the Minutemen have all season, we'll will show up. I'll be watching the video stream. Hope all UMass fans will keep the faith. Better times are coming.
Go UMass!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Illinois will have live streaming of the game.
The Huskies game notes.
UMass' game notes.
Matty V. says Northern Illinois will be a tough test for UMass.
Boston.com says UMass seeks some sort of spark against Northern Illinois.
The Dekalb Daily Chronicle says the Huskies are massive favorites against UMass.
The Chicago Tribune previews the UMass-NIU game.
MassLive's Harry Plumer states UMass hopes to contain NIU's Jordan Lynch.
He has another story about the Minutemen being 34.5 underdogs and some MAC links.
Hustle Belt's Matt Sussman says NIU is better than Michigan and hopes the game won't be 70-0 Huskies.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC Report Online previews this week's conference games.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile in the recruiting wars:
A Palm Beach man was hospitalized after he was injured trying to jump over a moving car---to impress college recruiters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, November 02, 2012
Friday--November 2nd, 2012
Matty V. says UMass looks to end it's losing streak against the Northern Illinois Huskies.
The Boston Globe says the UMass offense looks to get going earlier.
The UMass Daily Collegian reports the UMass defense is stacked up against another mobile QB.
The Worcester Telegram has a story about UMass walk-on Rob O'Connor.
CBS Boston has a story about Minutemen freshmen. One of my impressions of the Vanderbilt game was that for the first time this year, morale cracked in the third quarter at Vandy. To the players credit, everybody picked it back up in the forth quarter. UMass played mostly the second string guys the last couple of series and the regulars were not sitting on the bench staring at the ground, they were on their feet, watching the game and supporting the subs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive has another UMass opponent campus report. This week Northern Illinois.
He also has the lineups for the Minutemen vs Huskies game Saturday.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald has a story about how UMass QB A. J. Doyle is learning about FBS football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile the Chicago Tribune says everything is looking up for the Northern Illinois Huskies.
ESPN Chicago states the Huskies have started a campaign for the Heisman for QB Jordan Lynch.
BTW, Lynch's N. Illinois bio here.
Northern Illinois received 12 votes in this week's AP Top-25 poll.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC Blog "Hustle Belt" has three MAC teams just outside the AP Top-25.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keepers College football rankings has N. Illinois over the Minutemen by a lot.
Vegas has the Huskies by 35
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Globe says the UMass offense looks to get going earlier.
The UMass Daily Collegian reports the UMass defense is stacked up against another mobile QB.
The Worcester Telegram has a story about UMass walk-on Rob O'Connor.
CBS Boston has a story about Minutemen freshmen. One of my impressions of the Vanderbilt game was that for the first time this year, morale cracked in the third quarter at Vandy. To the players credit, everybody picked it back up in the forth quarter. UMass played mostly the second string guys the last couple of series and the regulars were not sitting on the bench staring at the ground, they were on their feet, watching the game and supporting the subs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive has another UMass opponent campus report. This week Northern Illinois.
He also has the lineups for the Minutemen vs Huskies game Saturday.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald has a story about how UMass QB A. J. Doyle is learning about FBS football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile the Chicago Tribune says everything is looking up for the Northern Illinois Huskies.
ESPN Chicago states the Huskies have started a campaign for the Heisman for QB Jordan Lynch.
BTW, Lynch's N. Illinois bio here.
 |
| AP image/Nam Y. Hum |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC Blog "Hustle Belt" has three MAC teams just outside the AP Top-25.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keepers College football rankings has N. Illinois over the Minutemen by a lot.
Vegas has the Huskies by 35
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Thuersday--November 1s5, 2012
Matty V. says the UMass football team stays optimistic. Nick Speller will return to the offensive line. His return should really help the MInutmen's struggling OL. Jordan Broadnax, who's been a force on kickoff returns this year, will miss the game with an injury.
Broadnax is 33-742 22.5 AVE 61 LONG. He's already set the UMass all-time record for number of kickoff returns in a single season and is only 63 yards from the all-time single season yards record
Number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive also has a story about Nick Speller's return from suspension.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Illnois, UMass' Saturday opponent, is having a great year.
NIU is promoting their QB Jordan Lynch for the Heisman.
The Huskies defense has been on the upswing too.
NIU's coach says they're ready for the Minutemen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz says he's happy with the direction of his new contract with the Giants.
MassLive says James Ihedigbo has really caught on with the Ravens defense.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| Hampshire Gazette image |
Number
- Broadnax 33 returns
- Jesse Julmiste 32
Single season total yards
- Tim Berra 805
- Broadnax 742
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive also has a story about Nick Speller's return from suspension.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Illnois, UMass' Saturday opponent, is having a great year.
NIU is promoting their QB Jordan Lynch for the Heisman.
The Huskies defense has been on the upswing too.
NIU's coach says they're ready for the Minutemen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz says he's happy with the direction of his new contract with the Giants.
MassLive says James Ihedigbo has really caught on with the Ravens defense.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday--October 31st 2012
Mrs Blog and I made it home. Our plane was the third into reopening Manchester. Power was out at our house and we read by the light of our propane camping lanterns until we went to bed. Power is on this morning.
Hope all of the UMass family is OK and everyone is making progress about getting their life back in order after Sandy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass got a practice in before Sandy hit.
Nick Speller still in Limbo.
Harry Plumer has a story about walk-on Al Leneus. He was going to be a defensive lineman--then things changed.
Plumer looks at FBS mascots from Aggies to Zips.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald says UMass is working to shake off Hurricane VAndy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week UMass travels to NIU. The Huskies have a 19-game winning streak going at their home stadium.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chicago Tribune has news and notes from the MAC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope all of the UMass family is OK and everyone is making progress about getting their life back in order after Sandy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass got a practice in before Sandy hit.
Nick Speller still in Limbo.
Harry Plumer has a story about walk-on Al Leneus. He was going to be a defensive lineman--then things changed.
Plumer looks at FBS mascots from Aggies to Zips.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald says UMass is working to shake off Hurricane VAndy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week UMass travels to NIU. The Huskies have a 19-game winning streak going at their home stadium.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chicago Tribune has news and notes from the MAC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday--October 29th, 2012
Good Morning from Nashville. Our flight home has been canceled due to the hurricane. Southwest says they'll try again tomorrow to get us to Manchester via Tampa.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass was routed at Vanderbilt.
Harry Plumer of MassLive awards helmet stickers for the Vanderbilt game. Note the number of true freshmen earning the awards. This year is tough but better days are coming.
SB Nation says UMass was clocked by the Commodores.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB Nation Boston has a post on BC's win over Maryland. The Terps were down to their fourth-string QB due to injuries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USA Today says the MAC's banner season continues. Six MAC teams are now bowl eligible. Figures, the year we join, the league has one of its best ever on overall strength.
The Big East is 1-4 against the MAC this season. Who's the "Mid-major league" now?
"Hustle Belt" has the MAC power rankings for Week #9.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass was routed at Vanderbilt.
Harry Plumer of MassLive awards helmet stickers for the Vanderbilt game. Note the number of true freshmen earning the awards. This year is tough but better days are coming.
SB Nation says UMass was clocked by the Commodores.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB Nation Boston has a post on BC's win over Maryland. The Terps were down to their fourth-string QB due to injuries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USA Today says the MAC's banner season continues. Six MAC teams are now bowl eligible. Figures, the year we join, the league has one of its best ever on overall strength.
The Big East is 1-4 against the MAC this season. Who's the "Mid-major league" now?
"Hustle Belt" has the MAC power rankings for Week #9.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A couple of images from Vanderbilt
There were a knot of UMass fans at the game Saturday. We met one young man who saw my UMass sweatshirt and pulled up his Vandy sweatshirt to show us a UMass t-shirt underneath. He's a UMass grad who is doing a advanced degree at Vandy.
Mrs Blog and I were up in the nosebleed seats in row #57, so there was not much opportunity for good action shots.
Click on the image for a larger view.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday we visited Andrew Jackson's plantation "The Hermitage" the image is from the plantation gardens. It came out pretty good for hand-holding. I talked to more former UMies there and at Belle Mead Plantation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs Blog and I were up in the nosebleed seats in row #57, so there was not much opportunity for good action shots.
Click on the image for a larger view.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday we visited Andrew Jackson's plantation "The Hermitage" the image is from the plantation gardens. It came out pretty good for hand-holding. I talked to more former UMies there and at Belle Mead Plantation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday-- October 28th, 2012
The game was by no means an artistic success for either team. Both teams had eleven penalties and Vanderbilt at one time called a time out after three straight mistakes on one possession.
Again, the Minutemen played well in spurts. The UMass defense battled for most of the day. The turnover on the kick return seemed to take the wind out of the defense's sails.
The UMass offense again struggled. Passing by both Mike Wegzyn and A. J. Doyle was not very accurate. When UMass was able to hit our receivers, we moved the ball. UMass turned the ball over on downs three times at the end of drives near the Vandy Redzone. Both UMass QB's absorbed some heavy hits during the game.
I should say a few good words about Hafis Williams and Michael Cox. I don't know why they didn't get a lot of reps at their former schools, but both continue to play hard. Williams was encouraging his defensive teammates all day. Cox ran hard despite the score and the fact he was not getting a lot of daylight.
They probably didn't mention it on the TV commentary, but Coach Molnar had the second offense in for the last series of the game. He could have left the first string in to try to make the score look a little better, but it gave the second string some game experience.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. said UMass football continued to struggle.
Boston.com has UMass remains winless.
MassLive has Khary Baily-Smith becomes the latest freshman to play for UMass.
MassLive has UMass trounced by Vanderbilt 49-7
Fox Sports has UMass loses to Vandy 49-7, remains winless.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tennessean said Vanderbilt breezes past UMass 49-7.
"Anchor of Gold" has Vandy routs UMass 49-7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC conference continued knocking off OOC opponents as Ball State beat Army and Kent State knocked off unbeaten Rutgers.
UMass gets another very good team next week as N. Illinois beat Western Michigan 48-34 to run their record to 8-1 --and the one loss was by one point to Iowa.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again, the Minutemen played well in spurts. The UMass defense battled for most of the day. The turnover on the kick return seemed to take the wind out of the defense's sails.
The UMass offense again struggled. Passing by both Mike Wegzyn and A. J. Doyle was not very accurate. When UMass was able to hit our receivers, we moved the ball. UMass turned the ball over on downs three times at the end of drives near the Vandy Redzone. Both UMass QB's absorbed some heavy hits during the game.
I should say a few good words about Hafis Williams and Michael Cox. I don't know why they didn't get a lot of reps at their former schools, but both continue to play hard. Williams was encouraging his defensive teammates all day. Cox ran hard despite the score and the fact he was not getting a lot of daylight.
They probably didn't mention it on the TV commentary, but Coach Molnar had the second offense in for the last series of the game. He could have left the first string in to try to make the score look a little better, but it gave the second string some game experience.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. said UMass football continued to struggle.
Boston.com has UMass remains winless.
MassLive has Khary Baily-Smith becomes the latest freshman to play for UMass.
MassLive has UMass trounced by Vanderbilt 49-7
Fox Sports has UMass loses to Vandy 49-7, remains winless.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tennessean said Vanderbilt breezes past UMass 49-7.
"Anchor of Gold" has Vandy routs UMass 49-7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC conference continued knocking off OOC opponents as Ball State beat Army and Kent State knocked off unbeaten Rutgers.
UMass gets another very good team next week as N. Illinois beat Western Michigan 48-34 to run their record to 8-1 --and the one loss was by one point to Iowa.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Game Day--Vanderbilt
Well, it's a chilly morning in the Music City. Game temperatures are going to be in the mid-50's with partly sunny skies.
The blog poll on the UMass-Vandy game in the sidebar continues to act up. I'm going to pull it. I don't what's up with it. The poll is not even editable after even one vote, so I don't know why it keeps resetting to zero votes.
Mrs Blog and I will be leaving early to pick up our tickets at "Will Call". The Minutemen will be close to full strength on starters except for Nick Speller, so we'll see how we do.
We'll be there cheering for UMass. Vandy's stadium is not that large (41,000), but sometimes the smaller stadiums can be loud.
Go UMass!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. says the Commodores are focused on winless UMass.
Harry Plumer states UMass will try its hand at containing "SEC speed".
He also has the Minutemen are a 32+ underdog, plus MAC links.
Plumer runs NCAA13 and gets Vandy 24-UMass 7.
Keepers College football ratings has the Commodores by almost 37.
SB Nation says UMass is hoping for the upset.
Boston.com says winless UMass is looking for a turnaround.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bleacher Report writer says Vanderbilt's offense is too "Cute".
DNI.com says Vandy coach Franklin is not worried by overconfidence.
The Tennessean says Vanderbilt's next step is to get to .500.
They'll be Blue Grass at Vandy Stadium tonight.
ESPN features Commodores' RB Zac Stacey.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akron Sports Now previews this week's MAC games.
MAC Game Day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The blog poll on the UMass-Vandy game in the sidebar continues to act up. I'm going to pull it. I don't what's up with it. The poll is not even editable after even one vote, so I don't know why it keeps resetting to zero votes.
Mrs Blog and I will be leaving early to pick up our tickets at "Will Call". The Minutemen will be close to full strength on starters except for Nick Speller, so we'll see how we do.
We'll be there cheering for UMass. Vandy's stadium is not that large (41,000), but sometimes the smaller stadiums can be loud.
Go UMass!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. says the Commodores are focused on winless UMass.
Harry Plumer states UMass will try its hand at containing "SEC speed".
He also has the Minutemen are a 32+ underdog, plus MAC links.
Plumer runs NCAA13 and gets Vandy 24-UMass 7.
Keepers College football ratings has the Commodores by almost 37.
SB Nation says UMass is hoping for the upset.
Boston.com says winless UMass is looking for a turnaround.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bleacher Report writer says Vanderbilt's offense is too "Cute".
DNI.com says Vandy coach Franklin is not worried by overconfidence.
The Tennessean says Vanderbilt's next step is to get to .500.
They'll be Blue Grass at Vandy Stadium tonight.
ESPN features Commodores' RB Zac Stacey.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akron Sports Now previews this week's MAC games.
MAC Game Day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, October 26, 2012
Friday--October 26th, 2012
Good Morning from Nashville, TN.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. has a story about former Minuteman Charles Walker who is now a graduate assistant for Vandervilt. Walker's UMass bio. Walker's Vandy bio. Great to see another former UMass player getting into coaching.
MassLive's Harry Plumer has his Week #9 campus review. This week it's Vandy. He also does lineups for each UMass game, which is handy if you are watching or listening to the game.
Boston.com says a better performance by Mike Wegzyn is critical to a UMass turnaround.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vanderbilt and LSU lead the SEC in graduation rate.
Inside Vandy remembers the 1982 Commodores team.
Opposing views predicts Commodores 52-UMass10
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last week's opponent Bowling Green's coach Dave Clawson discusses on how to set up a MAC---design the team to win the conference or win BCS games
The Indy Star looks at the MAC knocking off big time teams.
The MAC Blog "Hustle Belt" says college athletes and Twitter is a bad idea.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
College Football News says non-BCS teams are not getting a fair shake in bowl bids.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. has a story about former Minuteman Charles Walker who is now a graduate assistant for Vandervilt. Walker's UMass bio. Walker's Vandy bio. Great to see another former UMass player getting into coaching.
MassLive's Harry Plumer has his Week #9 campus review. This week it's Vandy. He also does lineups for each UMass game, which is handy if you are watching or listening to the game.
Boston.com says a better performance by Mike Wegzyn is critical to a UMass turnaround.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vanderbilt and LSU lead the SEC in graduation rate.
Inside Vandy remembers the 1982 Commodores team.
Opposing views predicts Commodores 52-UMass10
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last week's opponent Bowling Green's coach Dave Clawson discusses on how to set up a MAC---design the team to win the conference or win BCS games
The Indy Star looks at the MAC knocking off big time teams.
The MAC Blog "Hustle Belt" says college athletes and Twitter is a bad idea.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
College Football News says non-BCS teams are not getting a fair shake in bowl bids.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Questions & Answers with "Anchor of Gold"
One of the nice things about running a blog is getting to know other football fans obsessed enough to spend an inordinate amount of time writing about their team. Somewhat surprisingly, given the general state of the internet, (see some of the comments in this blog), they tend to be a sane and thoughtful bunch.
Today I swap questions and answers with Christian D'Andrea from "Anchor of Gold" a Vanderbilt blog. Check out my efforts to respond to a list of questions about UMass over on their site.
Today I swap questions and answers with Christian D'Andrea from "Anchor of Gold" a Vanderbilt blog. Check out my efforts to respond to a list of questions about UMass over on their site.
My
Questions:
- Vanderbilt certainly seems to be a program on the rise. What has changed for Commodores football?
JamesFranklin’s tenure as head coach has been about as big of a change
as we’ve ever seen at Vanderbilt. He came in and immediately worked
to alter the culture and make Vandy a true SEC program. He got the
players to buy in by challenging them to be better, and he used that
tactic – essentially telling recruits that they can have it all at
Vandy and comparing being a link in a chain at other schools versus
starting a tradition in Nashville – on the recruiting trail.
The
result has been significant. Vanderbilt is getting better recruits
than they ever have before. More impressively, Franklin has taken a
group of players that went 2-10 in consecutive years under Bobby
Johnson and Robbie Caldwell and turned them into a bowl team. This
team stands to improve in the future; hopefully that will create a
rolling snowball of more recruiting momentum and bigger wins. The
change is coming around, and the level of excitement revolving around
this team is slowly starting to spread out to Nashville. The next
step will be turning Tennessee fans into Commodore fans in the Music
City.
- Could you tell us a little about Game Day traditions and atmosphere at Vanderbilt Stadium?
The
team is working hard to introduce new traditions that shake off the
apathy of the past. Before the game, the team will walk down the Star
Walk – with the captains carrying the team’s anchor in the front
of the group - from the locker rooms and into Vanderbilt Stadium. The
team is also pushing new chants – like screaming “Anchor Down”
on kickoffs and emphasizing the importance of some long running
traditions like singing the Alma mater after games.
The
atmosphere around the stadium is pretty laid back. Fans tailgate in a
spot known as Vandyville, and you’ll find plenty of people grilling
and drinking beers before the game. Fans are typically pretty
friendly, so if you’re a Minuteman fan in town for a game, don’t
be shy. Your 0-7 start to the season has been rough, but Vandy fans –
especially the older ones – can relate.
- What kind of offense and defense does Vandy run? Zac Stacy seems to be a premier player. Who else should Minutemen fans be looking at?
Offense:
Fairly straightforward. Lots of I-formation and shotgun sets. Zac Stacy
will run the ball 20-25 times in tight games, but he may have a
performance similar to his showing against Presbyterian this weekend.
In that game, he only ran the ball eight times...but gained 174 yards
on the ground.
If
Stacy gets pulled early, expect to see guys like Wesley Tate, BrianKimbrow, and Warren Norman running the ball. All three are capable
players, but the true freshman Kimbrow is the most explosive of the
bunch. If he finds a gap, he’s gone.
Expect
some looks downfield but a mostly conservative passing game that uses
plenty of bubble screens as well. Also, if the Minutemen don’t
double-cover Jordan Matthews from the start, they could be in for a
long night. He and Chris Boyd make up the best Vanderbilt WR tandem
since…well, let’s just say it’s been a while.
Defense:
Lots of 4-3 looks and plenty of rotations across a deep defensive
line corps. Vanderbilt’s defense has been improving all season, and
they have a secondary that can make you pay. The ‘Dores have been
very good against the pass this year, with the exception of a blowout
loss to Georgia. They’ll make things tough for Mike Wegzyn all day.
- Barring a total collapse in the second half of the Commodores season, Vanderbilt looks to be a sure bet for a bowl game. Do Vanderbilt fans have any favorite that they would like the team to play in?
Well,
first off, I have to exorcise my superstitious demons and knock on
wood. We Vandy fans have been burned before, so we’re especially
careful about getting our expectations up. So, this whole answer
comes with a huge “if” caveat.
Vanderbilt
played in the Music City Bowl after the 2007 season, and that one
worked out pretty well for us. Playing at LP Field gave Vandy a
strong home-crowd edge (although playing against Boston College and
their six-member fanbase helped as well). The Liberty Bowl, which is
just three hours away in Memphis, was a good fit for the team last
year as well.
Ideally,
I’d like to see Vandy get a little further away from the state of
Tennessee if they qualify for a bowl this year. The Gator Bowl, for
instance, would be a great honor for this team. However, I’m also
partial to ESPN’s projection of an Independence Bowl matchup with
Duke. Two nerd schools playing before a packed crowd of hundreds in
Shreveport? Sign me up!
- Tell us how you think the UMass-Vanderbilt game will play out and your prediction for the score.
My
prediction? Pain.
First,
let me say that I’m pretty happy about the four-game UMass series.
I think it’s a great thing for a Vandy team that needs
out-of-conference wins. While the Minutemen are growing, I don’t
think they’ll be able to compete with the Commodores over the span
of this pact. If this were the Vandy of old, I would be much more
concerned, but this team looks like it will only get better in the
near future. Aside from the solid matchup for Vandy, it also gives me
a chance to travel home (I grew up in Rhode Island) and see the new
Gillette Stadium, but that’s a selfish reason.
Anyway,
off-topic rambling aside, I think Vandy uses Saturday’s matchup to
fine tune their offense. We’ll see plenty of quarterback AustynCarta-Samuels, who was a former Mountain West Freshman of the Year
before transferring to Vanderbilt, along with young guys like
Kimbrow, Josh Grady, Steven Scheu, Dillon van der Wal, and others
getting reps. I’m not sold on UMass’s ability to stop Vanderbilt
early, and I think that the Commodore defense is too solid to let
them out of that hole later on.
I
do think UMass gives us something to think about for future matchups,
though.
Final
score? Vanderbilt 34, UMass 9
Thursday--October 25th, 2012
Mrs. Blog and I are off to Nashville for our only football-related trip this year. I know of at least one other couple who are going. There will be at least four people cheering for the Minutemen!
As usual, I'll try to keep the blog going.
FoxSports South is going to carry the UMass-Vanderbilt game. That's channel 420 for Dish subscribers.
The UMass-Vanderbilt Results Poll is showing zero replies this morning. I didn't have anything to do with wiping the results. Blogger, as you have probably figured out by this time, is fairly buggy. Maybe the results will come back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. has more on Coach Molnar's scholarship prank.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive says UMass MLB Perry McIntyre is finally getting some attention.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bradenton Herald and the Sports Chat Place both preview the UMass-Vanderbilt game.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports has a bit about Vandy's Zac Stacey and a UMass defense that "isn't loaded with future NFL talent".
----------------------------------------------------------------------
One ex-NFL player urged Victor Cruz to sit it out until his contract is renegotiated.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
As usual, I'll try to keep the blog going.
FoxSports South is going to carry the UMass-Vanderbilt game. That's channel 420 for Dish subscribers.
The UMass-Vanderbilt Results Poll is showing zero replies this morning. I didn't have anything to do with wiping the results. Blogger, as you have probably figured out by this time, is fairly buggy. Maybe the results will come back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. has more on Coach Molnar's scholarship prank.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive says UMass MLB Perry McIntyre is finally getting some attention.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bradenton Herald and the Sports Chat Place both preview the UMass-Vanderbilt game.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports has a bit about Vandy's Zac Stacey and a UMass defense that "isn't loaded with future NFL talent".
----------------------------------------------------------------------
One ex-NFL player urged Victor Cruz to sit it out until his contract is renegotiated.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wednesday-- October 24th, 2012
Matty V. has more medical and academic updates for the Vanderbilt game. Alan Williams will be definitively back. Nick Speller is still uncertain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive also has some updates.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two more articles on Coach Molnar's scholarship prank: USA Today and FoxNews Boston.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tennessean says Vanderbilt can't take any win for granted.
Two Vanderbilt players were honored as SEC players-of-the-week for their efforts against Auburn. Zac Stacey became the Commodores all-time leading rusher. Center Joe Towsend was SEC lineman-of-the-week.
BTW, Vandy played FCS team Presbyterian earlier in the year and won 58-0.
Vandy's tradition when the Commodores score a touchdown--- a battleship horn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports has its week conference power rankings and says the MAC now has four teams bowl eligible. BTW, the MAC now has the same number of non-conference FBS wins as does the ACC.
Also, MAC teams are 3-1 against the Big East this season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz is hoping the Giants will work on a new contract for him this season.
In some technical football stuff, the NY Times breaks down Victor's 77-yard TD against the Redskins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive also has some updates.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two more articles on Coach Molnar's scholarship prank: USA Today and FoxNews Boston.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two Vanderbilt players were honored as SEC players-of-the-week for their efforts against Auburn. Zac Stacey became the Commodores all-time leading rusher. Center Joe Towsend was SEC lineman-of-the-week.
BTW, Vandy played FCS team Presbyterian earlier in the year and won 58-0.
Vandy's tradition when the Commodores score a touchdown--- a battleship horn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports has its week conference power rankings and says the MAC now has four teams bowl eligible. BTW, the MAC now has the same number of non-conference FBS wins as does the ACC.
Also, MAC teams are 3-1 against the Big East this season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz is hoping the Giants will work on a new contract for him this season.
In some technical football stuff, the NY Times breaks down Victor's 77-yard TD against the Redskins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
