Pair of 5,000-yard rushers for UMass now roommates in Arizona
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AMHERST - To live in one Phoenix-area house, there are just two requirements: a resident must have worn No. 5 for the University of Massachusetts football program and rushed for at least 5,000 yards.
Marcel Shipp and Steve Baylark were never teammates at UMass, but they're currently roommates in Arizona in a house owned by Shipp. Both were back in Amherst Saturday for UMass' homecoming game.
Both running backs, who met when they were in Arizona Cardinals training camp in 2008, expressed pride that the success the program enjoyed while they were there helped lead to UMass' upgrade to the Bowl Subdivision next year.
"There's a lot of good things going on here," Shipp said. "Everything is about growth. UMass is growing. I think they understand all the things that happened in the past and why they're moving forward. It's a great thing. They're the new era now. They have to set the new standard."
Baylark agreed.
"I'm excited about. It's a great opportunity for this program. I hope to see a lot of great things happening," Baylark said. "We helped build it up to this moment where they get this chance. They'll definitely keep the tradition alive at the I-A level. The guys that were here before definitely feel like a part of this."
UMass coach Kevin Morris had the duo speak to the team before the game.
When UMass does move up, if another back wearing No. 5 cracks 5,000 yards, he's got a place to live.
"He's gotta get 5,000 yards," Shipp said laughing. "If he does, he can have a room in my house."
SIX TURNOVERS - UMass' six turnovers were its most since committing six against Maine in 2009. The Minutemen turned it over seven times against Richmond earlier that season.
MILESTONES - Senior Jesse Julmiste had five kickoff returns for 85 yards giving him 725 this season. It's the second best single season total in school history, behind only Tim Berra who had 805 in 1973.
Julian Talley's 11 catches for 155 yards were both career highs.
MISCELLANEOUS - It was Villanova coach Andy Talley's first win ever at McGuirk Stadium. Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher was in attendance.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.
