AMHERST - When he went down with injuries, University of Massachusetts senior tailback Tony Nelson was leading the Colonial Athletic Association in rushing average and was on the watch list for the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

But after amassing 342 yards in the first three games, Nelson suffered first an upper-body injury and then a leg injury that kept him out against Stony Brook and Richmond and limited him versus Delaware, New Hampshire and Maine.

But Nelson rediscovered his momentum in Saturday's 37-7 win over Northeastern with 116 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.

"It was tough sitting out senior year. But I just wanted to get back healthy and help out the team," Nelson said. "The offensive line did a great job. It felt good to get back out there."

Nelson broke triple digits for the third time this season and the 10th time in his career. His three touchdowns gave him 21 in his career, tying Nelson with Kevin Smellie on the all-time Minuteman list.

CUKO CLIMBING - Armando Cuko's three field goals Saturday broke the UMass single-season mark and tied the Minutemen's career mark. Cuko has kicked 18 this season, passing Chris Koepplin and Sandro Vitiello who had 16 in 2006 and 1978 respectively.

Cuko is now tied with Silvio Bonvini with 30 career field goals.

MELE DEBUT - With sophomore Tyler Holmes out with post-concussion syndrome, junior Mike Mele made his UMass debut and had a team-high 10 tackles. Mele, a transfer from Syracuse, was expected to make an impact when he arrived, but he did not play early because of an injury and then was one of four players suspended after they were arrested Oct. 1 and pleaded innocent to a charge of possessing a Class B substance (cocaine).

"Mike Mele did a great job stepping in with Tyler being out," Morris said. "We thought he'd make an impact right away, but unfortunately he got hurt right away. Fortunately with Tyler out, he came out and had a great game."

Morris said he expects Holmes to return shortly.

"He's fine. He probably could have played," Morris said. "But it was a head thing and you always want to be more careful with that."

MORRIS VS. FORMER EMPLOYERS - Saturday's win made Morris a perfect 3-0 this season against schools which used to pay him. The Minutemen defeated Albany, Stony Brook and Northeastern, three programs where he used to be an assistant coach.

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.