AMHERST — Hitting quarterbacks is off limits during UMass football practice and Da’Sean Downey is getting antsy.
The senior is eager for the Minutemen’s Aug. 26 game against Hawaii (6 p.m. McGuirk Stadium) and the chance to sack somebody.
“I’m thinking about putting everybody on the ground, multiple times a game,” he said.
Despite missing two games a year ago, Downey led UMass with six sacks in 10 games, 8½ tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles.
He did that last year as an outside linebacker. This year, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound White Plains, New York, native moves to defensive end.
“This year I get to move down to D-end and rush the passer all the time and get after the quarterback a little more. That’s fun,” he said smiling. “I think that’s the best part of my game, pass rushing. I feel like that’s the best position to play in football, getting after the quarterback.”
With a new position comes a new number. Downey is now wearing No. 4 after wearing 41 a year ago. When Downey got to UMass, Randall Jette had No. 4. When Jette graduated, he passed his number to James Allen, who’d looked up to Jette as a mentor.
After Allen transferred in the offseason, it was available and Downey pounced on it.
“My older brother Malcolm wore No. 4. Some of it was because of him,” he said. “But I just wanted a clean slate. New year, new start, new number.”
New UMass defensive coordinator Ed Pinkham has challenged Downey to set an example for the whole defense.
“Downey is a good player. As a leader of the team, his work habits need to be exemplary. We’ve had conversations about it,” Pinkham said. “He’s a skilled, talented guy. He runs very well. He can do a lot of things if he puts his mind to it. You count on your playmakers to make plays and usually he comes through.”
NUMBER SWITCHES — Downey isn’t the only guy with new digits. Of players who saw action last year, Isaiah Rodgers went from 39 to 9, Bakhari Goodson traded his 45 for a 14, while Micah Morel is No. 16 after wearing 22 last year.
MISCELLANEOUS — Whipple said no decision has been made about injured linebacker Shane Huber. He said there’s no urgency to make one so his status might not be updated for a while.
Via Twitter, UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford announced that Eric Frede and Andy Gresh will be the TV broadcasters for UMass’ home games on Elevens Sports.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage