UMass Football News--September 5th, 2026

 Well, UMass's win set off a lot of stories. It's good to be a blogger with lots of material and it's great when it's positive news for a change..

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The Minuteman Command says UMass just changed the entire conversation.

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Pop Watson on Sports Center.

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Sporting News says UMass stops college football's longest losing streak.

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Athlon Sports reports UMass stuns Rutgers in a week #1 upset.

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 Coach Harasymiak's post-game press conference. Notice he almost breaks into a smile once or twice.

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The UMass Daily Collegian does a nice professional job covering UMass sports. I like their reporting.

The Collegian says a fast start provokes a historic win. 

There were many heroes in the win and the Collegian covers the UMass running backs. 

The Collegian reports the UMass defense showed up. 

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 The WMUA broadcast team has a post game video.

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Rutgers fans are melting down.  

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In 2026 opponent news Buffalo dodged a FCS upset. 

Eastern Michigan faded in the fourth quarter to lose to  San Jose State.

New-look Toledo gave Michigan State a hard time but fell in the fourth quarter.

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UPDATE: Sacred Heart opens its season with a CAA league game against Mommouth. 

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UMass Football News--September 4th, 2026

 

The Minuteman Command says UMass stuns Rutgers.

The Rutgers website says the Scarlet Knights lose to UMass. 

The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" reports the numbers behind the Minutemen's "unthinkable" win over the Scarlet Knights. 

By-the-Belt also said UMass was the center of the college football universe Thursday night. 

Bleacher Report has video and images from the UMass upset. 

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said "he never saw it coming". 

MassLive says UMass fans have something they haven't had in a long time---hope. 

 UMass ended a 30-game MAC losing streak to the BIG10.

The NY Times says the upset of the year in Week #1? 

Remember last year when UMass got a lot of derisive commentary about fireworks after a field goal? The shoe is on the other foot. 

Transcript of coach Schiano's post-game press conference.  We've been on the wrong end of a lot of those.

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AJ Hairston and Merrimack fell to Delaware 42-7 Thursday night. 

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Akron lost their starting QB to an NCAA eligibility question just before their game with Wake Forest and lost 38-16. 

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UMass Game Day--Rutgers Part II

 

Turn your speakers all the way up.

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Man, that was a long time comin'. It seems like I've been trudging down to the computer Sunday mornings and trying to put a positive spin on defeat for just about forever.

Today was redemption. Best win since we dominated Montana at their place.

UMass write-up on the  game. Look at those stats! 200 rushing yards! I told you if you can run the ball, then you've got a good looking offense.

Lots and lots of heroes in this game. The O-line. The D-line. The defensive backs. The kicking game. Pop Watson. Wow!

UMass ravages Rutgers.

UMass stops a long running losing streak in a rout of Rutgers. 

Impressive rant by betting pundit Dave Portney. UMass fans never melted down on a loss.

Lot's more tomorrow. Right now I'm going to go out on my patio and scream.. 

 

Game Day-- Rutgers 2026

 

UMass opens its season with a Big 10 team Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are a challenge. They have three All-Americans on offense. Anton Raymond 5-11 205 is one of the top running backs in all of college football. He ran for 1275 yards and 13 TD's against Big 10 defenses. UMass will get a heavy dose of Raymond tonight.

If the Minutemen try to pack the box, Rutgers has KJ Duff a 6-6 225 pound wide receiver. He had 60 catches for 1084 yards. He led the nation in contested catches in 2025.

For run and pass blocking they have Kwabena Asamoah, a 6-2 310 RG, who is a sure NFL pick.

 On defense, the Scarlet Knights are mostly, like UMass, new. Rutgers was 125th  in total defense in 2025, but that does not reflect this year's team.

The Minutemen are fated to lose this game, but I'd like to see some football plays from UMass. Some flashes at running the ball , good open field tackling, a couple of down-the-field pass completions.

I'd like to see the Minutemen play with intensity and compete. Just show we're not in 2025 anymore.

I'll be watching the game on ESPN+ and cheering for the Minutemen.

Go UMass!! 

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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" previews the UMass-Rutgers game and predicts Scarlet Knights 38-Minutemen 17. 

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On the Banks has three keys for Rutgers against UMass.

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CBS Sports says their model thinks the game will go "over" 51.0 points.

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UMass extends their partnership with Bay State Health with on-the-field logos.

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 Rutgers starts a new kicker.

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The Daily Targum (?) says UMass won't be much of a test for the Scarlet Knights.

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The Scarlet Nation reports 9 national pundits pick Rutgers to win, 0 pick UMass.

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Also on ESPN+ tonight is ex-UMass QB AJ Hariston and Merrimack against FBS Delaware.

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UCLA fires their athletic director days before their opening game.

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UMass Football News--September 3rd, 2026

 UMass' game notes for Rutgers are up.

The Scarlet Knights game notes for UMass are up.

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The Minuteman Command previews the Rutgers game.

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FanDuel.com has the UMass-Rutgers point spread and odds.

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On the Banks staff predicts the Scarlet Knights 2026 win total ( all of them assume a victory over the Minutemen.

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The Ashbury Park Press says Rutgers will be seeing a lot of familiar faces when they play UMass Thursday night. 

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On the Banks covers the series history between UMass and Rutgers.

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Jay Burham talks with the Scarlet Nation about UMass.

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 Jay Burnham interviews UMass AD Ryan Bamford about the Fall semester for UMass athletics.

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UMass Football Newws--September 1st, 2026

 The Minuteman Command reports Coach Harasymiak knows UMass is in for a fight at Rutgers.

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The Rutgers site "On the Banks" thinks the Scarlet Knights will have no trouble with the Minutemen.

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Sports Illustrated thinks Rutgers will cover the 29.5 point spread.

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The Greenfield Recorder reports the Minutemen prepare for the season opener. 

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 Rutgers' HC Greg Schiano's press conference for the UMass game.

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The MAC conference Blog "By-the-Belt" thinks the conference should pursue a relationship with the Poinsettia Bowl. 

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UMass ends the 2026 season at Bowling Green on November 25th. They just named their starting QB. He's a transfer from Assumption in Wiorcester.

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CBS Sports has a report on Rutgers hopes to show off a revamped defense. 

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UMass Football News--August 31st, 2026

 UMass adds former Minuteman and long time college level coach Kevin Coyle to the defensive staff.

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The Rutgers website has Game #1 UMass vs Rutgers. 

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 Above is a 57-minute College Football 27 simulation of the Rutger-UMass game.

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The Star Press Muncie predicts the Ball State 2026 season and includes a 24-14 win over UMass.

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CBS Sports has winners and losers from Week 0 of college football.

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UMass Football News--August 30th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command reports the Rutgers game is a special event for UMass HC Joe Harasymiak.

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 MSN has a post on Polymark (I had to look that one up) about the UMass-Rutgers odds and how to play them.

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The NY Times has how to watch the Rutger-UMass, with streaming options.

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If you missed it, #7 Rhode Island crushed Merrimack 34-7. Former UMass QB AJ Hairston went 12-23-145 and 0 TD's for the Warriors.

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Sacremento State and Eastern Michigan, two 2026 future opponents, played last evening with Eastern Michigan winning 28-17.  The score was closer than the game as the EMU defense held Sacramento State to 10 offensive points and 3 of the 10 came off a EMU fumble deep in their own territory.

The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" reviews the EMU-Sacramento State game. 

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Stonehill lost to Bryant 24-6 in their opener. Bryant was coming off two tough seasons (not counting their first ever FBS win over UMass), and looking to improve.

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UMass Football News--August 29th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has a post covering Elijah Faulkner's development as a running back.

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 Coach Harasymiak's Rutgers game press conference.

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WGGB reports the Minutemen prep for their 2026 season. 

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The AI Chat GPT predicts (not very accurately) Rutgers 34 UMass 17.

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And from the invaluable Babylon Bee--Man's therapist suggests he may have an abusive relationship with his favorite sports team. UMass fans are totally there.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers cut former UMass WR Jacobie Keeney-James. 

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UMass Football News--August 28th, 2026

 

The WMUA team has preseason video #6. They discuss the Minuteman run game and more.

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The Minuteman Command reports the UMass staff and players still believe.

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The Scarlet Nation looks at the UMass-Rutgers game by the numbers. 

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WMUA has a short post on UMass TE recruit Joel Gomez.

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In yet another twist in college eligibility, a judge issued a order prohibiting college conferences from blocking NFL players declaring for the college transfer portal. 

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UMass Football News--August 27th, 2026

 

The Minuteman Command reports on the teamwork between Timmy Hinspeter and Tyler Martin.

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College Football News predicts Rutgers 44 UMass 10.

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MSN on the best high school running backs in Massachusetts. Mentions UMass commit Nate Ellis. 

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Dylan Lonergan talks about being named Rutgers starting quarterback.

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Sports Illustrated Pre-Season All-Americans. List includes Kent State kick returner Da'Realyst Clark.  I watched him run back a UMass kickoff on the first play of last year's game.

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Covers.com thinks Rutgers is 50-50 on a 4.5 win total.

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The SEC has quashed LSU's attempt to add two former NFL players and their basketball team's attempt to sign former NBA (and UMass player) RJ Lewis.

RJ Lewis' UMass bio. Fixed link.

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UMass Football News--August 26th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has a post on Tyler Martin explaining the Minutemen's 9.09 mantra. 

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College Football News predicts UMass to go 0-8 in MAC Conference play.

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Eastern Michigan adds fireworks to their Friday night game. 

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The MAC blog "Bye-the-Belt" previews the MAC season-opener Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan. This game should interest many UMass fans as the Minuteman play both teams near the beginning of the season and the results will make a big impact on our 2026 season.

 EMU's press conference on the Sacramento State game above.

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The Sacramento State Hornets name Carson Conklin starting QB.  UMass will be seeing him early in the season.

Conklin's Sacramento State bio here. 

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Miami (Ohio) is a pre-season favorite to make the MAC championship game, but they just lost their starting QB for the season.

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UMass Football News--August 25th, 2026

 The Hampshire Gazette reports the UMass offense is coming together.

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The Greenfield Recorder says UMass continues to fine-tune the defense.

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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" previews the Akron Zips. UMass meets the Zips on November 18th.

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Rutgers names Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan starting quarterback. Lonergan (Rutger bio) had a not-too-successful season with the Eagles last year. However, he should have more talent around him with the Scarlet Knights. During the last 5 years or so, BC has been near the bottom of ACC recruiting rankings.

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Jaguars HC Liam Coen talks about his biggest career regret.

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UMass Football News--August 24th, 2026

The UMass Twitter has some video from some of the scrimmages.

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The Athletic ranks all college football teams from #1 to #138 (UMass).

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Hopefully, the first part of this sentence is repeated on October 23rd!

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Covers thinks UMass will be "over" on 2.5 wins.

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Latest update on Rutgers' QB battle. Long may it continue..

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Some good college football games in upcoming Week 0.

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UMass Football News--August 28th, 2026

 After a rocky start, I got Blogger to recognize my vacation laptop. Nothing is ever easy..

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UMass has some training camp video on their "X" feed.

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Yahoo Sports reports Eastern Michigan and Sacramento State will kick off a new era of MAC conference football soon.

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The NY Post thinks Bowling Green HC Eddie George will lead the Falcons to MAC glory.

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The Athletic thinks college football fans are a cult.

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 Browns HC Todd Monken on rookie TE Dae'Quan Wright entering the NCAA transfer portal: 'Ain't this s*** crazy?'

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UMass Football Blog News--August 22nd, 2026

 

Mrs Blog and I are off on our summer vacation today. As usual, I'll try to keep the blog running. Should I go dark for some reason, the UMass Football Blog will be back up for sure on September 1st.

UMass Football News--August 22nd, 2026

 The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" previews the 2026 Central Michigan Chippewas.

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 Mrs Blog and I have plans to take in the UMass@Buffalo game on October 17th.

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Athlon Sports has projected MAC conference win totals for 2026. They think UMass will top the 2.5 "Over".

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Dae'Quan Wright, who is  on Cleveland Browns roster, filed Thursday to enter the college football transfer portal. Possibly the first of many..

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UMass Football News--August 21st, 2026

 The Minuteman Command asks if an improved UMass pass rush would improve the rest of the defense?

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Three Minutemen on the "Comeback player-of-the-Year" list. Josh Nobles, TJ Magee and TY Hardin playing up to their capabilities would be a massive help for UMass.

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 UMass safety Zeraun Daniel answers questions from the press.

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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" previews the Ohio University Bobcats.

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Rutgers football eyes new traffic plan and guest services to improve game day experience.  

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UMass Football News--August 20th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has a video interview with UMass DB TJ Magee.

Magee's Minuteman bio here. 

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The Greenfield Recorder reports UMass continues to fine-tune their defensive identity. 

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 UMass LB Tyler Martin also spoke with the press about the defensive progress.

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The WMUA Sports staff has episode #5 of their preseason football preview.

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247Sports says early signs point to an improved season for Rutgers. 

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The MAC Blog has two preseason previews for the Buffalo Bulls and  the Western Michigan Broncos.

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Akron reveals nine finalists for their "Offensive coordinator of the Game" promotion. 

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UMass Football News--August 19th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command reports UMass searching for a backup quarterback.

This is a big deal as right now, as all UMass eggs are in Pop Watson's basket. In 2023 Taisun Phommachanh looked like a world-beater in the win over Diego Pava and New Mexico State. He got hurt against Auburn and was never the same. Don Brown's decision to play Phommanchanh in 2024 probably cost Brown his job. Phommanchanh played with a big brace on his knee and tried to be a pocket passer, which was not close to his game. 

Pop Watson's game is his mobility. If he's not 100%, then it's not going to work if they try to convert him into pocket passer. UMass would need to move heaven and earth to get Watson an injury red-shirt year and play someone who's healthy.

RJ Johnson III left the program under murky circumstances, so the next available QB's are Logan Inagawa  who's a dual threat guy. At Drake he threw for 1,393 yards and 9 TD's. He also rushed for 398 yards and another 9 TD's. He's probably the closest to what UMass wants Pop Watson to do.

Aedan McCarthy is a prototype Power Four QB at 6-5 230. However, he's a true freshman. In his junior and senior years, we'll be watching him play for Tennessee..

 Ty McCutcheon is apparently a pocket passer of some talent.  There's no film on him so nobody really has a feel for what he can do.

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 UMass has some images from Monday's practice.

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 Why would offensive linemen go anywhere else?

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Rutgers dismisses a former four-star recruit. 

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