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Fifth-year senior Sean Calicchio will begin his final season with the Minutemen as the starting center. He follows a pair of All-Americans.

AMHERST - Sean Calicchio has not lacked for role models as he begins his final season at the University of Massachusetts and his first playing center for the football team.

The last two Minutemen to play the position - Alex Miller and Matt Austin - both earned All-America status.

"I had two All-Americans ahead of me," Calicchio said. "They put a lot of work into it. Just having those two dudes around me for the last couple of years definitely helped me out technique-wise."

Miller was a four-year starter at center until he graduated after the 2006 season. Nick Diana was slated to start there last year, but after he struggled, UMass coach Don Brown moved Austin - his best and most experienced lineman - to the spot. Though he had not previously played the position, the adjustment solidified the offensive line.

Austin's success inspired the Minutemen to make the same move with Calicchio, a fifth-year senior, captain and member of the preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association squad.

"That position needs to have a guy who has a handle schematically on what we're doing and he certainly does," Brown said. "Plus in terms of body type (6-foot-5, 300 pounds), he certainly fits the bill. So far Sean Calicchio has been Sean Calicchio. He's really playing well."

While playing right tackle a year ago, Calicchio knew he might make the switch and paid extra attention to Austin. He's getting more comfortable in the middle every day.

"It's coming along. It's just another position on the line for me," he said. "I had a thought it might happen. I told coach whatever it is I have to do, I'll get it done. I love it.

"At first it was frustrating because it was different, but I've started to like it more and more," he added.

SHIPP A TEXAN - After being released by the Arizona Cardinals early in camp, former UMass tailback Marcel Shipp has a new home. The Minutemen's all-time leading rusher signed with the Houston Texans, who are seeking to add depth with Ahman Green injured.

If Shipp makes the Texans, a broadcaster familiar with his talents would be calling his games. Marc Vandermeer, who was the voice of UMass sports for the first two seasons of Shipp's career, is the radio broadcaster for the Texans.

MORE NFL ALUMNI - Former Minutemen safety James Ihedigbo had an interception in the New York Jets 13-10 loss to the Washington Redskins, Saturday, but was burned going for a second one in the fourth quarter on a Redskins touchdown. Ihedigbo is listed as the team's second-string free safety.

Steve Baylark, a member of the Arizona Cardinals practice squad last year, is trying to make the team this year. He had four carries for 13 yards in Saturday's 27-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two other Minutemen were let go last week as the Atlanta Falcons cut Brad Listorti and the Carolina Panthers dropped Breyone Evans.

CHAMPIONSHIP REUNION - Had Shipp stayed a Cardinal, he might have been able to attend the 10th reunion of the UMass team which won the 1998 Division I-AA national championship. It will be held Oct. 17 and 18 which is the bye week for the Cardinals.

The returning members of the 1998 championship team will gather Oct. 17 and be honored at halftime of the Minutemen's Oct. 18 homecoming game with Richmond.

That weekend also is the bye week for the Philadelphia Eagles so their assistant coach Mark Whipple - the head coach of the Minutemen in 1998 - could potentially attend.

"I tried to schedule it so he could be here," Brown said.

MISCELLANEOUS - After rain washed away the first painting, UMass' conference championship years were repainted on the side of the Minuteman team house ... The Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision preseason Top 25 is expected to be released Tuesday morning.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. For more UMass coverage, including a UMass sports blog, go to http://www.gazettenet.com/blog/umass-sports.