Hill takes control as Minuteman QB
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When Brandon Hill was deciding where to sign during his senior year of high school in Audubon, N.J., one of his reasons for choosing the University of Massachusetts was the potential to become the starting quarterback early in his career.
Hill knew that if he redshirted in 2010, he would have a chance to win the starting job after Kyle Havens graduated.
That plan is on track as Minuteman coach Kevin Morris named Hill, a redshirt freshman, his starting quarterback for the Sept. 1 season opener at Holy Cross.
"That was a big reason I came here. I definitely envisioned myself playing for four years," said Hill, who began seeing more practice snaps with the first team as camp progressed. "It feels good. It's everything I've worked for my entire life.
"It relieves some pressure, but now I have to work hard to keep my job," he added. "That's more important than having it. The easy part is getting it. The hard part is keeping it. I have to keep working every day and keep getting better."
Morris said Hill, who missed the early part of spring practice with injuries to both feet, rebounded with a strong camp.
"He was more consistent throughout the course of camp," Morris said. "That consistency is what we're looking for... He came back and had a really good spring game."
Morris beat out sophomore Kellen Pagel, a transfer from Bowling Green, after a competition that lasted throughout the preseason. Morris said that while Hill is the starter, he plans to use Pagel from time to time as well.
"It's Brandon's show, but we're going to find a situation where we can get Pagel in there. Kellen is at that point where we may have a designed series for him where we can get him in the game and get him reps," said Morris, who added that despite the narrow margin between his top two quarterbacks, he would not have a quick hook with Hill.
Hill was ranked a three-star recruit by Rivals.com after throwing for 1,739 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions as a senior at Audubon High School. He ranked as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in football-rich New Jersey behind only Joe Brennan, who will be the No. 2 quarterback at Wisconsin this season.
Hill, who has not played since high school or even been hit since the spring game, said he is eager to get started.
"Last time I was hit was the first play of spring game. I just can't wait," Hill said. "I'm very pumped. My family is pumped. I want to see what our team can do and go from there."
OTHER STARTERS - Sophomore Brendon Levengood, who handled kickoffs last year, will kick field goals and extra points, while Rice transfer Brandon Yelovich, a senior, will now kick off. Sophomore Jeff Strait will handle punting and will hold on place kicks.
FRESHMEN ON TWO-DEEP - Five true freshmen cracked the two-deep on the UMass depth chart that was released Monday. Center Andy Moas and wide receiver Marken Michel could see action on offense, while linebacker Greg Hilliard, cornerback Iric Harris and safety Randall Jette will play on defense.
ALUMNI - With starter Stephen Gostkowski healthy again, former Minuteman kicker Chris Koepplin was released by the New England Patriots on Monday.
Before Monday's game against the Jets, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said that ex-Minuteman Victor Cruz has surpassed Dominick Hixon on the Giants' depth chart and should see regular action at wide receiver.
