UMass – New England Football Journal®

UMass: Spring game an opportunity for the Minutemen to see who they will be in 2021

May 1, 2021

By all accounts, UMass had a productive spring. Head Coach Walt Bell was pleased with the development of his squad this spring. Bell talked about the number of players who participated this spring and how the upgrade in talent was evident from two years ago when he first arrived in Amherst. Due to injuries in some position groups. Bell and his staff have scraped the traditional Maroon vs. White format….

College: UMass preparing for an important weekend on and off the field

April 27, 2021

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This weekend is a big one for the UMass football program. After working throughout April the Minutemen will take the field on Saturday for the spring game (11 A.M.) and the official conclusion of the first part of the 2021 season. On Tuesday head coach Walt Bell and corner back Noah Boykin met with the media to talk about how things have been progressing this spring and what Saturday’s main objectives…

UMass: Coaching changes abound for the Minutemen as Walt Bell tries to turn things around

February 16, 2021

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The UMass football staff has been overhauled in recent weeks, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Three new coaches have joined the staff since the end of the season and one needs to be replaced as head coach Walt Bell continues to try to rebuild the program. The most notable departure was that of quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Angelo Mirando who resigned his position last month. Mirando…

UMass: Breaking down the 2021 recruiting class for the Minutemen

December 19, 2020

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Image courtesy of UMass Athletics Walt Bell and his staff needed to upgrade the roster at several key positions and they did that with the 2021 recruiting class. The Minutemen signed 15 total players in the class. https://twitter.com/umassfootball/status/1339357441507602433?s=21 The class features mostly three star recruits from various parts of the country. It reinforces the belief that Bell and his staff can recruit despite the program’s struggles on the field. The…

UMass: Minutemen finish the season with a 45-0 loss to Liberty

November 27, 2020

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LYNCHBURG, VA: The UMass Minutemen wrapped up an abridged 2020 season 0-4 after losing to Liberty 45-0. UMass started Redshirt Freshmen Garrett Dzuro. Dzuro got off to a decent start but struggled after the first quarter. Dzuro completed 9 of 22 passes for 172 yards and 1 interception. The Minutemen tried to establish the running game early on but it was struggle as Liberty dominated the line of scrimmage. UMass…

UMass Preview: UMass Minutemen (0-3) at Liberty Flames (8-1)

November 27, 2020

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Line: Flames by 37.5 Opening Kickoff: The Minutemen wrap up their season today when they travel to Lynchburg, Virginia to take on the high flying Liberty Flames. The Minutemen are massive underdogs despite showing improvement last Friday night in a 24-2 loss to FAU. This is the third meeting between the Minutemen and the Flames. UMass beat Liberty 62-59 in a wild game in 2018 but the Flames returned the…

UMass: Defense plays well, offense struggles in frustrating loss to FAU

November 21, 2020

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Image courtesy of Ralph Notaro BOCA RATON, FLA: The UMass defense played its best game in the Walt Bell era but a lack of offense proved to be the difference in a 24-2 loss last night to Florida Atlantic. Bell praised the defense for their effort. “Our best defensive effort since we’ve been here, That’s damn good team defense.” It truly was good team defense. The Minutemen hurried and harassed…

UMass Preview: UMass Minutemen (0-2) at Florida Atlantic (4-1)

November 20, 2020

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Line: Florida Atlantic -33.5 Opening kickoff: The Minutemen travel to Boca Raton, Florida tonight to take Florida Atlantic. The game was put together three weeks ago after FAU was dealing with COVID 19 issues and had to rearrange their schedule. The Owls are coached by former Western Kentucky, South Florida and Florida State coach Willie Taggert. Taggert and Minutemen head coach Walt Bell coached together at Florida State where Bell…

UMass: Primetime game an opportunity for the Minutemen to expand the brand

November 20, 2020

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UMass will travel to Florida Atlantic tonight to take on a talented Owls team led by first year coach Willie Taggert. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network at 8 pm. It is not often that the Minutemen get to play a primetime game that is nationally televised. They did last season at Rutgers in the opener but it doesn’t happen often. The game is a good opportunity…

UMass: Getting the young guys experience is goal number one this season.

October 16, 2020

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No one knows how many games UMass will play this season. Right now they only have one game scheduled but there are rumors circulating that they at least two others games in the works. Regardless of how many games they are playing, one thing is for sure. Play the young guys is important for the Minutemen this season. The 2020 season is about development and getting better. It’s not going…

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