Category: Massachusetts Minutemen
UNH Football Notebook: CAA Expansion Won't Affect 'Cats Short-Term
DURHAM — There are numbers CAA commissioner Tom Yeager has a pleasure trying to crunch, and others that present more of a challenge.
Start with the tough ones. Two years from now, the CAA will welcome its 13th football-playing member, Old Dominion, which will be lodged in the league’s South Division and unbalance an unbalanced league schedule even more.
In 2012, Georgia State will bring the membership to 14, and play as a nominal member of the North Division, but with a specially-crafted schedule.
Black Bears Pick Up a Win to Build Upon
Maine finally adds to a halftime lead, taking advantage of UMass miscues for a 19-9 win.
ORONO — In a game of big plays, turnovers and wild momentum shifts, the University of Maine knocked off 19th-ranked Massachusetts 19-9 on Saturday.
The win was notable because the Black Bears (4-4, 3-2 Colonial Athletic Association) showed signs of growth in several areas.
“That’s a really good football team, nineteenth-ranked in the country,” said Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove. “We persevered. We matured and grew today.”
Six Interceptions Fuel UR’s Romp
A break-up would have sufficed.
University of Richmond safety Derek Hatcher yesterday arrived as the passed ball did. Instead of the break-up, Hatcher went for the interception, and got it by prying the ball from the Massachusetts player who momentarily had possession in the third-quarter sequence.
UR coach Mike London called Hatcher’s thievery “one of the best plays defensively I’ve ever seen. . . . Talk about ball awareness.”
It’s a hot topic after the Spiders, top-ranked in the Football Championship Subdivision, collected six interceptions in a 34-12 Colonial Athletic Association win before 8,214 at UR Stadium. The school record for interceptions is eight, set in 1938 vs. Hampden-Sydney.
’Saders Ready to Exact Revenge
The chance to play another year of college football, to hone his skills and polish his game were all reasons Holy Cross quarterback Dominic Randolph came back for a fifth season. One last crack at a Patriot League championship was another.
“Definitely,” Randolph said this week. “That’s the goal of every team and not winning it last year pushed me to try again.”
Colgate beat Holy Cross, 28-27, in the last game of 2008 to claim the Patriot League crown. The longtime foes will clash again at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Fitton Field, and the top-25 matchup should certainly have PL title implications. It is the first of five straight league games for HC.
UMass' Two-Tailbacked Monster To Lead Attack Against top-ranked Richmond
AMHERST – One is the sixth-leading rusher in University of Massachusetts football history, a go-to player who offers senior leadership.
The other is a sensational sophomore, so effective as a fill-in that it’s hard to see him glued to the bench.
When it comes to Tony Nelson and Jonathan Hernandez, coach Kevin Morris says there is room for both.
“Absolutely. It makes us a better football team,” Morris said as 14th-ranked UMass prepared to play Saturday at No. 1-ranked Richmond, the defending Football Championship Subdivision champion.
Minutemen: Out of Frying Pan, Into Fire
AMHERST – The Minutemen survived the frying pan, just in time to jump into the fire.
“The message we deliver from week to week is pretty much the same about how we want to practice and prepare for a game,” said University of Massachusetts football coach Kevin Morris, whose team plays at Richmond Saturday.
“We have a lot of plans. But now, we have to execute them.”
UMass Edges UNH in 23-17 Thriller
AMHERST – There are great victories and there are great accomplishments, and this was both.
“It was a very exciting game, maybe a little too exciting with three seconds left,” University of Massachusetts football coach Kevin Morris said after Saturday’s 23-17 Homecoming Day victory over fourth-ranked New Hampshire.
“When push came to shove, though, we did more of the shoving. That was our focus all week, to bring up our level of play after the Delaware game.”
4 UMass football players arrested on drug charges in Amherst
Four members of the University of Massachusetts football team were arrested on drug charges in downtown Amherst just before midnight Thursday, police said.
UMass Football Coach Prepares to Face Albany Mentor
AMHERST - University of Massachusetts football coach Kevin Morris knows all about Albany coach Bob Ford, but that will not make Saturday night’s home opener any easier.
“What I know is that we had better be prepared, because he and his team will expose any flaws,” Morris said as the Minutemen (0-1) eyed the 6 p.m. game against Albany (0-1) at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
“Coach Ford will leave no stones unturned.”
Can Richmond give CAA another title?
In some people’s minds, defending national champion Richmond is one of the favorites to win the 2009 title. But the reality of the Colonial Athletic Association is that the Spiders might not even survive their own division, let alone the NCAA playoffs.
- 3447 words - FCS News Articles, CAA, Rhode Island Rams, New Hampshire Wildcats, Massachusetts Minutemen, Richmond Spiders, Hofstra Pride, Delaware Blue Hens, Villanova Wildcats, James Madison Dukes, Towson Tigers, William & Mary Tribe, Northeastern Huskies, Maine Black Bears Marcum, McLaughlin To Be Inducted Into UMass Hall Of Fame
The University of Massachusetts Athletic Department has announced six new members will be inducted into the George “Trigger” Burke UMass Athletic Hall of Fame, making up the class of 2009. The legends will be honored on Friday, October 9, 2009 at a dinner held at the UMass Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m. UMass will induct these all-time greats: Bob Marcum (athletic Director 1993-2002), Joe McLaughlin `79 (football 1976-78), Danielle Henderson `99 (softball 1996-99), Charles Leverone `60 (gymnastics, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, soccer, swimming & diving 1956-60), Hilary Rose `97 (field hockey 1993-94, 96), Paula Wilkins `94 (women’s soccer 1990-93).
Defending National Champion Richmond And Villanova Selected As CAA Favorite In 2009, All-CAA Teams and TV Package Announced
Richmond, which returns 18 starters off last year’s NCAA National Championship team, and Villanova, which returns 16 starters from 2008, are picked to share the overall CAA Football Championship in 2009. New Hampshire, last season’s North Division winner, was also picked to repeat in the North according to a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches and selected media. The results of the poll, along with the Preseason All-Conference squads, were announced during Wednesday’s CAA Football Media Day at the ESPNZone in Baltimore, Md.
- 1760 words - CAA, Rhode Island Rams, New Hampshire Wildcats, Massachusetts Minutemen, Richmond Spiders, Hofstra Pride, Delaware Blue Hens, Villanova Wildcats, James Madison Dukes, Towson Tigers, Northeastern Huskies, Maine Black Bears LeGree heads latest Buchanan watch list release
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Mark LeGree, the record-setting free safety from Appalachian State, heads up the latest group of players added to the watch list for the 2009 Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the top defensive player in FCS.
LeGree, who set a school record with an NCAA-leading 10 interceptions last season as a sophomore, finished third in the 2008 Buchanan Award balloting behind two defensive ends, winner Greg Peach of Eastern Washington and runner- up Jovan Belcher of Maine.
- 871 words - FCS News Articles, SoCon, Appalachian State Mountaineers, Big Sky Conference, CAA, Weber State Wildcats, Massachusetts Minutemen, Villanova Wildcats Nichols among those added to Payton Award watch list
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Record-setting Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols is one of four players added to the updated watch list for the Walter Payton Award, bestowed annually upon the top player in FCS.
This marks the second straight year that Nichols, who has piled up 9,376 yards of total offense in his previous three seasons, was named to the preseason watch list for the honor.
Also added were Massachusetts running back Tony Nelson, McNeese State running back Todd Pendland and Jacksonville State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux.
- 830 words - FCS News Articles, Southland Conference, Big Sky Conference, CAA, Eastern Washington Eagles, Massachusetts Minutemen, Ohio Valley Conference, Jacksonville State Gamecocks, Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Opinion: Additonal FB Expansion Could be Coming Soon to CAA
The Colonial Athletic Association will swell to 14 football schools in 2012, when Georgia State joins.
Too many? Too few? Or just right?
Rather than fret about growing too big too fast, maybe the league will say what the heck and just super-size it.
If it does, there are two schools that would be a geographic fit for the league - surely more of a fit than Georgia State. Adding them would be cost effective at a time when schools everywhere are looking to save wherever they can.
UMass To Play At Michigan In 2010
Minutemen to invade the Big House, which has drawn 100,000-plus for 215 games in a row.
UMass football will play before the largest crowd ever to watch a UMass sporting event as the Minutemen have agreed to play at the University of Michigan on Sept. 18, 2010 at Michigan Stadium, affectionately known as the “Big House.” The two universities have agreed to a contract in which UMass will travel to Ann Arbor in two seasons from now.
UMass Hall of Famer Ingoglia Joins Football Broadcast Team
All-time Minuteman great will be on the air starting Sept. 5 at Kansas State.
UMass Hall of Famer and former NFL running back Rene Ingoglia will join the UMass Sports Network as a color analyst for the 2009 football season. Ingoglia, who starred for the Minutemen from 1992-95, is third in rushing yardage and second in rushing touchdowns in program history.
“I have been looking to break into broadcasting as a color analyst and to be able to do so at UMass - one of the nation’s top FBS programs - is phenomenal,” said Ingoglia. “I have many great memories at UMass and to be able to return to the place which allowed me to achieve many dreams on and on and off the field is truly remarkable.”
Initial UMass Gametimes & TV Schedule Released
Minutemen to appear on Comcast SportsNet New England four times.
The times for all home games and most road games for the 2009 football season have been announced. UMass will also be playing four games on Comcast SportsNet New England starting with the Rhode Island game on Sept. 19 at 3:30 p.m. The Minutemen will also host New Hampshire (Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m.) and James Madison (Nov. 14, 12 p.m.) in televised games. The home opener on Sept. 12 against Albany will be the first of two 6 p.m. home starts under the lights.
UMass will also host Stony Brook on Sept. 26 under the lights at 6 p.m.
With Economy Slumping, Colleges Cut Teams to Save Money
After three decades of steady growth in the number of teams and student-athletes, colleges and universities large and small, private and public, east and west, are slashing millions of dollars from their sports budgets.
Colleges have dismissed athletic staff, reduced hours for pools and practice courts, and increased equipment and facility fees. Some have also cut the size of their travel squads, eliminated trips requiring air travel and done away with housing teams in hotels the night before home games.
Fears Raised in UMass Spring Game
The UMass football team held its annual spring football game in front of many former Minutemen greats on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Stadium. Head Coach Kevin Morris and the Mintutemen simulated a number of game situations, including the two-minute drill, special team situations, and more. Aaron Fears and Jonathan Hernandez had stellar afternoons as Fears caught two touchdown passes and Hernandez was steady on the ground. Former football greats Marcel Shipp, James Ihedigbo, and Brandon London were one of many alumni to return for the day.
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