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2022 Football Season Thread
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Steve1981 Offline
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2022 Football Season Thread
The road to respectability and final getting to the scholarship limit starts this season. Some are predicting 4 wins. One thing is certain the team will be improved with taking 32 recruits this cycle with a fairly equal split between HS and Transfers. So far there have been a little over half on the defense and the defense should much improved.

[Image: AVvXsEi33Xea0Bcz9NJbRMbazn2A--HYfZhvH3yb...jRPsk=s678]

What we learned from UMass' National Signing Day by Mike Traini

Quote:The Minutemen currently have 28 scholarship spots of those 32 accounted for for next season and have said that they are likely to hold onto the remaining 'ships until spring football has closed around the NCAA to see what other players may enter the Portal at that time.

The Minutemen officially added four more high school players to the 2022 class on National Signing Day, three of whom were committed beforehand and one who made his decision public on the day. Aaron Alexander (the Great Lake State LB that we had picked to UMass in the Crystal Ball) signed his NLI with the Minutemen in the mid-afternoon on NSD after taking an official visit the weekend prior. The 3* Belleville, MI native and former Michigan Wolverines commit becomes the 4th-highest-rated commit in UMass' FBS history. Alexander's NLI was joined by letters from Floridians Derrieon Craig (Fort Lauderdale/St Thomas Aquinas) and Jeremiah McGill (Hollywood/Chaminade-Madonna) and Californian Donovan Turner (Long Beach/Long Beach Poly). All four players are on the defensive side of the ball, Brown's specialty and primary area of focus for the Minutemen this off-season.

...
Top to bottom the Minutemen have addressed areas of need well and have added a lot of talent to their roster particularly out of the Portal. The Minutemen currently have commitments from 14 players that were in the Portal, 12 of those on scholarship in 2022, and the group encompasses the Power 5, the Group of 5 and the FCS. The majority of players in the '22 class are on the defensive side of the ball but it's not overwhelming, with 18 of the current commits as defenders. UMass' defense needed a revamp, one of the primary reasons Brown was tapped as the new HC, and they will certainly have that new look next season.

UMass picked up a solid balance of potential impact players for next season along with developmental recruits who can take their time learning the game while adjusting to the college game. Following NSD specifically the Minutemen also picked up a commitment from Dartmouth graduate transfer linebacker Jalen Mackie who was a First Team All-Ivy performer last season with the Big Green and who will now play his final season with the Minutemen.

Brown and his staff have adjusted their focus areas for recruiting as well, further emphasizing the Commonwealth for players while also utilizing connections from new coaches to reach into areas like Michigan and California where the Minutemen have not traditionally been big players. Brown has also made sure to restart a pipeline from Florida to UMass as well, taking seven Sunshine State natives (so far) though all available avenues to join the Minutemen's '22 class.

The biggest early impact players will likely be see in the defensive front seven, with the Minutemen's linebacking corps and defensive line seeing an influx of depth and talent. Don Brown's moniker "Dr. Blitz" is well-earned and he will no doubt push UMass' defense to be significantly more aggressive and in turn significantly more successful at causing havoc.

UMass' offense is going to look different as well with first-time FBS coordinator Steve Casula calling the plays. Quarterback as always will be the critical position and it's likely we see an open competition in spring ball to see who can establish themselves as the starter.

Overall UMass has done better than expected in a short amount of time with this class. They landed some very talented P5 transfers with multiple years to play along with pulling a Top 5 all-time recruit out of a previously untapped state. They found local guys who can make an early impact, veterans looking to prove something in their final years and under-recruited players from all corners of the country looking for a chance to make a name for themselves
(This post was last modified: 02-11-2022 08:43 AM by Steve1981.)
02-11-2022 08:42 AM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
Pretty excite we'll be at 85 scholarships for the first time after averaging in the low 70's and having coach Don Brown back. Opening with Tulane in just under 100 days.

Here is a recent podcast with 2 new head coaches, Football Don Brown and Frank Martin in men's basketball and 2 conference championship coaches with Tori Verde, women's basketball and Greg Carvel men's Hockey.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pl...1331539290

In the above link at the 1:59 mark of the spring football game there is news of a fully funded endowment fund in Peter Colton honor and memory for football scholarships announced by Ryan Bamford. Peter Colton, former player and owner of the Fours by the Boston Garden passed in the fall. His wife Anna and brother Tim donated 1 million to a fully funded scholarship fund and the university has pledged 500k for a 1.5 million football scholarship fund.

New turf going in.
[Image: turf.jpeg]
(This post was last modified: 05-26-2022 05:07 PM by Steve1981.)
05-26-2022 12:07 PM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
https://saturdayblitz.com/2022/07/04/can...-season/4/

Saturday Blitz predicts a optimistic 5-7 record this season.

Quote:Game 1: at Tulane (W)- One of three pillow fights for the Minutemen. They get halfway to doubling their win total from last season with a win behind a big game from Merriweather.
Game 2: at Toledo (L)- Coach Brown experiences his first blowout to MAC title contender Toledo at the Glass Bowl.
Game 3: vs Stony Brook (W)- UMass’ home opener against FCS Stony Brook. Cool mascot (The Seawolves, FYI) but not a good team.
Game 4: at Temple (L)- This is a toss-up game. This game comes down to how well UMass plays quarterback. If they are struggling, they lose.
Game 5: at Eastern Michigan (L)- Playing four road games in five weeks catches up with UMass, and they go down on the steel gray field in Ypsilanti.
Game 6: vs Liberty (L)- The Flames begin the post-Malik Willis era but have the better roster.
Game 7: vs. Buffalo (W)- If the transfers for the Minutemen are playing well, this is their upset game.
Game 8: vs New Mexico State (W)- The Aggies could be the only team in FBS worse than UMass. Minutemen win here.
Game 9: at UConn (W)- Okay, New Mexico State might not be the only team in FBS worse than UMass. Two straight against UConn.
Game 10: at Arkansas State (L)- The Redwolves find themselves in a rebound season in year two under Butch Jones. UMass loses a close one.
Game 11: at Texas A&M (L)- The Minutemen take the check and enjoy the experience of playing in a stadium 90% larger than their home field. Maybe they keep the Aggies under 60.
Game 12: vs. Army (L)- UMass doesn’t have the depth to throw at Army’s option. Minutemen fall in its home finale.
07-05-2022 07:34 AM
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WolfCrashpad Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
UMass lost to 2 FCS teams last year by multiple scores, but yeah, Stony Brook is an automatic win despite also being around that mid-CAA tier. Sure.
07-06-2022 08:42 AM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
(07-06-2022 08:42 AM)WolfCrashpad Wrote:  UMass lost to 2 FCS teams last year by multiple scores, but yeah, Stony Brook is an automatic win despite also being around that mid-CAA tier. Sure.

We had a coaching staff that could not coach. That has changed with Don Brown and the new transfer rule helps alot! For the first time EVER, we will be at the FBS scholarship limit instead of being more like the FCS limit.

Are you going to fist McGuirk for the Sept 17th game?
07-10-2022 10:59 AM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
UMass with unprecedented success on recruiting scene
By BRIAN DOHN https://247sports.com/college/massachuse...190343714/

Quote:When Don Brown was introduced at Massachusetts' coach in November, it came with promises of facilities upgrades and an improved recruiting given his strong ties to the region.

Eight months later and the changes are noticeable on both fronts.

While UMass was already showing signs early by signing its best class in six years in 2022, the Minutemen are off to a strong start in the 2023 class, which includes receiver Rico Watkins of Tallahassee (Fla.) James Richards. He will be the second-highest recruit in program history to sign with UMass.

In fact, UMass sits No. 83 in the rankings, which would be its highest finish of the century.

The third-highest was signed in the 2022 class in Belleville (Mich.) High linebacker Aaron Alexander.

In addition, each member of Brown's on-field staff either coached with him or played under him.

The school also put more into the program, including more than doubling the number of analysts on staff.

UMass already installed a new turf field, and has a new $3 million practice bubble and a $750,000 weight room renovation is in the cards.

UMass' first class, which was put together in a few months after Brown was hired, ranked No. 96 nationally and was led by Alexander and Miami Columbus cornerback Cornelius Wright.
07-21-2022 03:55 PM
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Ewglenn Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
I’m hoping you guys turn things around. I’ve always liked UMASS.
07-24-2022 01:33 PM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
https://nefootballjournal.com/2022/08/04...e-program/

A few quotes from media day before Friday opening day of camp.

Quote:Brown leads UMass into training camp Friday, his first at the helm in Amherst since 2008, when he capped a five-year stint as head coach that included a 49-13 record and two playoff berths at the FCS level. 2022, however, presents a more daunting challenge for Brown: reviving a program that’s won twice in its last 25 games— now at the FBS level. Still, the 67-year-old is ready to go.

“I’m fired up.” Brown said “This is what you do it for. This is why, when I hit the ground here on December 1, I was gone before the end of the day, flying around New England.”

Brown’s roster, the largest in UMass history since it joined the FBS in 2012, features 43 new players, including recruits from the high school ranks and an onslaught of transfer portal additions. The plan for the winter was to mix young newcomers and college football veterans, recruiting coordinator Jeff Moore told New England Football Journal in January.

“You’re looking to create competition at each position,” Brown said. “That’s what we’ve been pushing. No one rises to low expectations. Maximize your potential. I think they’ve done a good job buying into that.”

“It’s been a smooth process,” defensive tackle Billy Wooden said about welcoming the roster additions. “We all share the same goal, and that’s to win.”

Even with the influx of new faces, the biggest hole in the Minuteman roster remains at the quarterback position. Brady Olson, who appeared in nine games as a true freshman last year, is the favorite to land the starting spot after tossing eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2022.
...
“One of our biggest problems in the past is that I don’t think it hurt enough people when we lost,” [Josiah] Johnson said. “I see a lot more care and a lot more need to win.”

Problems will be solved with aggression when camp opens Friday for the inaugural team in Brown’s second stint as UMass head coach, 29 days ahead of its season opener at Tulane.

“The energy and the overall mindset is understanding the standard of what UMass football does,” running back Ellis Merriweather said Thursday. “UMass football is known for the dominance they used to have, so we need to bring that back.”
08-05-2022 11:35 AM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
Nice win today 20-3 victory over Stony Brook


09-17-2022 08:50 PM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
Well the 1-11 was not what we had hoped. Our AD Ryan Bamford in the later part of this short Youtube video states, when we invest to the level of our peers we can win championships. Also reference a well resourced UConn program and how they are bowl eligible. 12-21-22
https://twitter.com/i/status/1605233454727036928
12-26-2022 10:19 AM
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pvk75 Offline
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Post: #11
RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
Just a note to say Merry Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) and hope for a good New Year to our erstwhile and dedicated MAC football supporter and poster. Best to you and yours, good buddy!

Noted you have EMU on the road, and Miami-Ohio and Toledo at yours next fall. Won't see you at NIU until 2024. 'Til then, best of everything!
(This post was last modified: 12-26-2022 12:34 PM by pvk75.)
12-26-2022 12:33 PM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
(12-26-2022 12:33 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Just a note to say Merry Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) and hope for a good New Year to our erstwhile and dedicated MAC football supporter and poster. Best to you and yours, good buddy!

Noted you have EMU on the road, and Miami-Ohio and Toledo at yours next fall. Won't see you at NIU until 2024. 'Til then, best of everything!

Thanks. You guys had a good one with Kill. We open with NMSU on the road. Think 2024 will be the year we become respectable. Do love the MAC. Really wish the MAC took just WKU as it would have added much needed depth to the MAC. Football perhaps better matchups and basketball for increased total NCAA and NIT bids.
12-26-2022 06:38 PM
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CoachPMac Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
(12-26-2022 10:19 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Well the 1-11 was not what we had hoped. Our AD Ryan Bamford in the later part of this short Youtube video states, when we invest to the level of our peers we can win championships. Also reference a well resourced UConn program and how they are bowl eligible. 12-21-22
https://twitter.com/i/status/1605233454727036928

To be fair, UMASS’ recruiting class was not up to par with UCONN, despite what the above articles suggest. When it comes down to first year G5 coaches, UCONN had a whale of a class while Akron and New Mexico State also had strong classes.

Akron and UMASS had the worst rosters in the FBS by the end of 2021, so it’ll take another class (or two) for Brown to right the ship. I like Brown and Frank Martin and hope they both succeed.
(This post was last modified: 03-23-2023 02:37 AM by CoachPMac.)
03-23-2023 02:10 AM
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Steve1981 Offline
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RE: 2022 Football Season Thread
Thanks

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03-25-2023 04:56 PM
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