By Ryan Barry
NEFJ Correspondent
It’s finally game week, Minuteman fans.
UMass head coach Don Brown took the podium at his opening week press conference to discuss Saturday’s season opener at home against Eastern Michigan.
Brown with some initial press conference thoughts
“After three plus weeks of preparation it’s nice to be in gameweek. This week, at least historically, has gone extremely fast, so guys have been working hard. There were times when I was looking for trouble just so I could get after them a little bit, but they took care of business worked really hard and were really on course to be playing ouR best football this coming weekend”
Brown on how his teams readiness compares this week to the previous opening weeks in his first two years
“I think mental preparation for sure. We’ve got some players now that have been here as long as we have and that’s hard to do in this day in age, but we’ve been able to hold on to some of our key players, and those guys are playing at a certain level. I think familiarity breeds success, and our guys, they’ve been around our coaches and myself, and I’m far away from three years being here. It’s good though, and I’m anxious for our guys to play in their game and it’s nice for them to do it at home.”
Brown on what it means to play a game at home to start the season against an FBS opponent
“It’s nice when you have teams like that (Missouri, Eastern Michigan) coming to this building. It’s good for our players, and like I tell people all the time, when you have to get ready to play Missouri, Mississippi State, and Georgia, you don’t have to work real hard emotionally to get the guys ready to play, they get themselves ready to play. You have to focus on giving them the best game plan that you can possibly give them”
Brown on how ready quarterback Taisun Phommachanh is
“He’s ready. Non-issue. Great summer, has not missed a practice, has gone about his business, you can tell he’s confident putting both feet on the ground and going where he’s gotta go and doing it as fast as he wants to do it. All good.”
Brown on the utilizing his running backs
“Those guys are each going to play in different roles. Jalen John, a guy that I was familiar with at Arizona, is a bigger back, and has the ability to hit a fifth gear, but you better hit him in the chin because he’s going to bring it, so I’m excited about him. Brandon Campbell, God love him I mean he just got here, but he’s been working. He came in and was in really good shape, was finishing up some academic responsibilities, has done that, has been practicing with us, and playing at a solid level. CJ (Hester) was with us earlier in the summer and we anticipate being able to help us as well. I’m looking at those three guys. Other guys can help, like Cookie (Desiderio) can help us, we know he’s a durable guy, and can make yards for us. You better lower your pads when you go to tackle him.”
Brown on what he expects from Eastern Michigan
“We’re going to get their best shot, it’s their season opener. We’ve played them for a few years in a row now, and they’ve got some issues too just like we do. They’ve dealt with the transfer portal at a high level, that’s a difficult deal. They’re going to have a number of new starters, a new wide receiver who has some ability, and the quarterback position is open to a couple of guys, so we just have to get ready to play. You don’t want to overcomplicate it, but one thing that we’ve done a good job with is being in a good spot health wise, sometimes you have those days when you’re kind of nervous when guys get nicked. We’re anticipating a full scale group as we move through this week of practice.”
Brown on the defensive line and specifically Aaron Beckwith
“He’s playing in our defensive line in the two interior positions. I will tell you this, he runs well for a big guy, so we’re happy about that part of it. ET (Etinose Reuben) came to us from Clemson by way of Georgia Tech and is similar in size and structure. He’ll play defensive end over the tight end. We’ve got a number of guys there. Tim Grant- Randall, this is a big game for him, he’s an Eastern Michigan former player. We feel like we’re deeper than we’ve been, but with Beckwith you’re getting a 300 pound guy who runs a sub 5.0 flat”
Brown on anything excited for him personally on where he is coming into week one
“You only get one opening day every year. I think I’m in year 46? So I say that and I go, “wow,” so it’s an exciting time. The biggest thing for me I look at is the responsibility. I just want to make sure I have the guys prepared, ready to go, say the right things the day of the game, and play our best game.
Brown on the status of Frank Ladson Jr.
“I don’t have an update on when he’ll be playing. All I can tell ya is that he’s fought injury, things are going in the right direction, will he have the chance to play? I think he will, but I don’t want to make any promises.”
Brown on new offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery
“Total professional. Hard working. Has done a great job connecting with the players. We’ve got a great professional who has a good way about him. Very excited about that hire, and the other thing that goes unnoticed is he has a lot of MAC-type experience and we’re playing five MAC games.”