By Ryan Barry
NEFJ Correspondent

Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen return home after two weeks on the road to take on the Miami (OH) Redhawks. Looking to secure their first 2-1 record in the FBS era, the Minutemen return to Amherst with an air of excitement not seen in some time. The program has a massive opportunity to show fans and critics alike that their week zero win over New Mexico State wasn’t just a flash in the pan, and that a turnaround is truly on the horizon.

1st Down: The high of the Minutemen’s opening week win quickly came crashing down against an Auburn Tiger team that scored 45 unanswered points after an early 7-7 scoreline. The 59-14 loss shouldn’t have fans thinking it’s the same old UMass team they’ve painstakingly known to love, but a potential shot of poor injury luck might. Transfer quarterback Taisun Phommachanh (18/33, 247 YDS, 1 INT; 25 CAR, 130 YDS, 2 TDS) took a knock to the knee despite the game starting to get out of hand, leaving his status for this weekend in question. Week Zero showed fans he has the potential to be a game changer, and his opening drive resulting in a touchdown against the Tigers pointed to what may continue to be against lesser opponents. It’s still unknown at this time whether he will suit up against the Redhawks, or if he’ll see any extended time off the field in future weeks. Fellow transfer Carlos Davis went 6 of 8 for 106 yards and a touchdown in relief of Phommachanh, albeit facing many of Auburn’s second and third units. Davis is the stronger passer of the two quarterbacks, and with reports of a solid preseason camp for junior Brady Olson, the Minutemen aren’t without options like in previous seasons. Still, Phommachanh’s ability to run the football adds an important dimension for a UMass team which has seldom had that tool in their belt.

2nd Down: The lone bright spot for the Minutemen offense was another strong performance from redshirt junior running back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams. With one less carry than the week before, Lynch-Adams eclipsed his first ever 100 yard day in a UMass uniform. The Minutemen have yet to get anything out of the rest of their running back room, with redshirt sophomore Greg Desroisiers Jr. getting just three carries for a net gain of one yard against the Tigers. While the pass catching unit is also yet to fully launch, transfer wide receiver Anthony Simpson is starting to set himself out from the rest of the pack. His four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown are an encouraging sign for the Minutemen who’ve lacked a true number one wide receiver since the Andy Isabella days. A matchup against a team closer to the Minutemen’s level of play is crucial to seeing who else on this team can make plays on the offensive side of the ball.

3rd Down: The thought before this season was that the Minutemen were unproven on offense and stout on defense. In their first two games the defense should be fortunate that the spotlight has been focused on the likes of Phommachanh and the offense, however, after surrendering a staggering 962 total yards. The Tigers were just eight yards away from eclipsing 500 total yards, while the Aggies had their way with the Minutemen particularly in the fourth quarter. The secondary has yet to establish themselves like last season, with junior cornerback Jordan Mahoney being particularly exposed in his first two outings. The Redhawks are coming off a 38-3 loss to the other bigger Miami school, and didn’t have much of a chance to show what they were capable of on offense. Junior quarterback Brett Gabbert, brother of NFL journeymen Blaine Gabbert, was 12 of 21 for 127 yards against a solid Hurricane defense. He did connect with fellow junior wideout Gage Larvadain for 80 yards on eight receptions, and despite a quiet game junior tight end Jack Coldiron received preseason accolades from several outlets. Against a Minutemen secondary still looking to find their feet, Gabbert will look to make his mark on the young season.

4th Down: Even with star running back Jarquez Hunter a late scratch for the Tigers last week the Minutemen still surrendered 289 yards on the ground. Three Auburn backs eclipsed more than 50 yards, and quarterback Robby Ashford had three touchdowns. The Minutemen won’t face a room nearly as talented this week against the Redhawks who barely reached 50 total rushing yards last week. South Carolina transfer back Rashad Amos had just eight carries for 30 yards, with 23 of those coming on a single breakaway carry. Quarterback Brett Gabbert isn’t known for taking off with the ball, being the more traditional pocket passer, so if the Redhawks struggle on the ground it’ll force the game into the air. With both the UMass secondary and defensive front looking for a get right game, each will have an opportunity in their own right to take advantage.

Extra Point: This is the fourth ever meeting between UMass and Miami, with the Redhawks leading the series 3-1. An uninspiring 20 – 13 loss at home for the Minutemen in 2015 was the last time these two teams met. The 2023 edition of the Redhawks are expecting at the very least a bowl appearance, being picked to finish second in the MAC’s East Division, even receiving a few first place votes. Head Coach Chuck Martin enters his tenth year in charge of the Redhawks, having led them to three bowl appearances in the last four seasons. Miami, Ohio can be a difficult place to recruit to, but Martin has built a consistent program capable of getting to a bowl every season.

Final Drive: In 2013 the Minutemen earned their first ever FBS home win against the Redhawks. Ten years later each program finds itself on a different path. As Miami continues to cement themselves as a MAC contender, the Minutemen have yet to win more than four games in a season or find a permanent conference home. This 2023 UMass team doesn’t care about the past though, only focusing on the opportunity in front of them, which on Saturday is a winnable game against a team they’ve lost by an average of less than seven points to. Still there are questions on whether or not they can respond to a potential absence of Taisun Phommachanh, and whether or not the coaching staff should’ve left him in as long as they did against Auburn.. They did bring in Carlos Davis for this reason, so if he can respond to the moment the Minutemen should be able to win. Whether they can respond to the talent of Gabbert remains to be seen, along with shutting down talented defenders Ty Wise and Corey Suttle.

Prediction: Miami (OH) 27, UMass 24