Monday, November 9, 2009
For every UMass game this season, I'll be giving out three stars to the
top three performers from the Minutemen and keeping track of who earns
the most three start points over the course of the season.
I'm putting a little extra weight on No. 1. So a No. 1 star is worth 5 points. A No. 2 is worth three and a No. 3 is worth 2.
Three Stars from UMass vs. Northeastern
No. 1 - Tony Nelson -
The senior running back was healthy again and the Minutemen looked in sync on offense again. It's not a coincidence.
No. 2 - Mike Mele - After a year that saw him get injured and suspended, the Syracuse transfer finally played football for UMass. With Tyler Holmes out after a mild concussion, he led UMass with 10 tackles.
No. 3. - Armando Cuko - Three more field goals made him the single-season and all-time leader in the category.
Season to date points:
Tyler Holmes - 15
Victor Cruz-10
Jonathan Hernandez - 10
Tony Nelson - 10
Eric Dickson -9
Jeremy Horne - 6
Ke'Mon Bailey - 5
Kyle Havens -5
Armando Cuko - 4
Jeromy Miles - 3
Mike Mele -3
Emil Igwenagu - 2
Jared Chivers -2
Kurt Filler - 2
Chris Zardas -2
Monday, November 9, 2009
I feel like in almost every year, Montana spends at least one week ranked No. 1. This year, that week is this week.
1. Montana
2. Southern Illinois
3. Elon
4. Villanova
5. Richmond
6. William & Mary
7. New Hampshire
8. Appalachian St.
9. South Carolina St.
10. McNeese St.
11. Stephen F. Austin
12. South Dakota St.
13. Northern Iowa
14. Jacksonville St.
15. Holy Cross
16. Eastern Illinois
17. Lafayette
18. Delaware
19. Weber St.
20. Harvard
21. Liberty
22. Southeastern Louisiana
23. Colgate
24. Texas St.
25. Pennsylvania
Saturday, November 7, 2009
FIRST QUARTER
6:31: UMass 3, NU 0 - Armando Cuko just kicked a 30-yard field goal. The kick put Cuko into a three-way tie for single season field goals with 16.
SECOND QUARTER
14:20: UMass 10, NU 0 -Morris elected to go for it on fourth down on the goal line and it paid off as Tony Nelson punched it in.
10:10: UMass 17, NU 0 - Another Nelson one-yard TD run.
2:57: UMass 24, Northeastern 0 - Kyle Havens 11-yard TD pass to Victor Cruz.
0:04.2 UMass 27, Northeastern 0 - Cuko's 42-yard FG gives him the single-season record with 17.
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER
6:33 UMass 34, NU 0 - Tony Nelson 9-yard TD run.
FOURTH QUARTER
8:34 UMass 37, NU 7 - Northeastern returned a Scott Woodward interception for a TD. Cuko just hit a 35 yard field goal
Postgame gem quote:
"UMass has been running that fake punt play since Jesus was in sandals," Northeastern coach Rocky Hager said. "We flat out did not fit up."
Jesus was believed to be alive from 0 to 33. UMass did not begin playing football until 1879.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Leader Herald has a good story about Kentucky learning how to run Calipari's Dribble-Drive offense.
I'm posting it because it's a good story, but more than that because I imagine UMass' freshman are experiencing similar growing pains.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
At some point later this month at a time TBA, I'm going to unveil the UMass football all-decade team on this very blog.
I enlisted the help of some UMass football experts to compile the team, but I'm interested in hearing from you.
Send me your ballots at mvautour@gazettenet.com.
To be eligible, a player must have played half of his UMass career
between 2000-2009. So Marcel Shipp, Kole Ayi are not eligible even
though their careers dipped into the decade.
Some of the picks are obvious. Some are pretty difficult.
Feel free to write in candidates.
Offensive Player of the Decade - Pick One
Defensive Player of the Decade - Pick One
Quarterback (Choose 1)
Jeff Krohn
Liam Coen
Tim Day
Tailback (Choose 1)
R.J. Cobbs
Steve Baylark
Matt Lawrence
Tony Nelson
Fullback (Choose 1)
Pete Cariello
Matt Lawrence
Breyone Evans
Rich Demers
Chris Zardas
Tight End (Choose 1)
Brad Listorti
Ian Jorgensen
Mike Douglas
Sean Young
Greg Ward
Wide Receivers (Choose 3)
Adrian Zullo
Jason Peebler
Brandon London
Rasheed Rancher
Victor Cruz
J.J. Moore
DeShon Hardy
Jimmie Howard
Offensive Line (Choose 5)
Maikel Miret
Rob Kane
Alex Miller
David Thompson
Brent Caldwell
Vladimir Ducasse
Nick Diana
Matt Austin
Sean Calicchio
Kicker (Choose 1)
Doug White
Chris Koepplin
Armando Cuko
Punter (Choose 1)
David Sanger
Christian Koegel
Brett Arnold
Defensive Line (pick four)
Valdamar Brower
Colin Christopher
John Hatchell
Kyle Harrington
Justin Schweighardt
Brandon Collier
Keron Williams
David Burris
Michael Hanson
Jason Leonard
L.A. Love
Linebacker (pick three)
Jeremy Cain
Mark Kimener
Mike Ziccardi
Jason Hatchell
Serge Tikum
Brad Anderson
Charles Walker
Josh Jennings
Corey Potter
Safety (pick two)
Jeremy Robinson
Anton McKenzie
Shannon James
James Ihedigbo
Jeromy Miles
Greg Scott
Cornerback (pick two)
Tracy Belton
Courtney Robinson
Sean Smalls
Steve Costello
Leroy Brooks
Brandon Freeman
