By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent The anticipated downpours held off just long enough for the UMass defense to take down the UMass offense 18-17 in the Minutemen’s curtain closing spring game. The defense, otherwise known as Team White, won for the second year in a row under head coach Don Brown, though a much revamped offense, or Team Maroon, showed some encouraging signs for next season. No official stats were…
Image courtesy of @UMassFootball By Sydney Ciano NEFJ Correspondent AMHERST – The next time UMass fans will see the Minutemen on a field after Saturday will be training camp. After about two months of work, UMass finally got to put their practices to use with the spring game at McGuirk. In fitting Don Brown fashion, it was the defense who won 18-17. The defense showed up each spring practice powerful,…
It’s hard to believe, but the UMass spring game is just a week away. Sydney Ciano was back at practice for us on Tuesday morning. Sydney Ciano NEFJ Correspondent The Massachusetts football team opened its fourth week of practics on Tuesday with the defense refining their work in man-on-man coverage, and the offense trying to find rhythm on their side of the ball. Previous quarterback, now tight end, Gino Campiotti,…
By Sydney Ciano NEFJ Correspondent The Massachusetts football team started its third week of spring practice in the bubble on Tuesday where both sides of the ball found themselves struggling to keep up the energy and momentum on the field. As the race for starting quarterback continued, Brady Olson, Taisun Phommachanh, and Carlos Davis spent more time behind the center as freshman Ahmad Haston got more one-on-one time. Haston’s only…
By Sydney Ciano NEFJ Correspondent AMHERST — The Massachusetts football team finished their second week of spring practices on Saturday, focusing on the technicalities of defense and the connections between quarterbacks and running backs. Defense continued to be a strength for the Minutemen on Saturday, a running theme throughout their practices. That morning, this side of the ball focused more on footwork during individual drills. The coaching staff placed an…
Sydney Ciano NEFJ Correspondent AMHERST — On Tuesday morning, the Massachusetts football team opened its second week of spring practice, buckling down on defensive skill and connections between quarterbacks and wide receivers. Notable in Tuesday’s practice was wide receiver Isaac Ross, who took his position-focused drills and work during 7-on-7 onto the field for scrimmages. The redshirt-junior had precise footwork with these specific drills. With his tight footwork and quick…
Image courtesy of UMass Athletics The UMass Football program announced three staff promotions yesterday. Matt Layman, Michael Livingston and Ryan Partridge were all promoted to new positions. https://twitter.com/umassfootball/status/1628488648550236162?s=46&t=Xa1-1i26unurnIYlOSXbWQ Layman was promoted to tight ends coach. He has been with the program for four years and worked as an offensive analyst prior to his promotion. He has worked with the tight ends, offensive line and quarterbacks during his tenure in Amherst. Layman was…
Image courtesy of UMass Athletics The energy and enthusiasm Don Brown still has for recruiting and the game of football in general was never more apparent than when he spoke to the media via Zoom on Wednesday. The old ball coach was thrilled to sit and talk about his 13 new transfer recruits that officially became members of the Minuteman family on National Signing Day. Brown and the rest of…
Wearing ‘UMass’ on the side of his helmet one final time during the Tropical Bowl showcase game on Saturday, running back Ellis Merriweather had a special performance. Merriweather was named the game’s Co-Offensive MVP. Merriweather was the only consistent part of the program these last several years, so his ability to show out on a national stage wearing the ‘U” one more time was fitting. Not only that, but with…
Image courtesy of ESPN By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent Kickoff: For a second straight week the UMass Minutemen will defend McGuirk Alumni Stadium against a team that also resides in a town of Amherst, the Buffalo Bulls. Suffering a 42-24 defeat to Liberty last weekend, the Minutemen lacked consistency on offense and committed too many penalties, something that’ll be crucial to fix against an opponent that is definitely beatable. First…