Last game for UMass football seniors

University of Massachusetts senior defensive lineman Brandon Collier said he wishes there was more on the line when the Minutemen take the field at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hofstra.

Matthews makes playoffs case

In 2007 it was ground-breaking when New Hampshire got an at-large bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs with four losses.

Two years later James Madison coach Mickey Matthews is lobbying for his five-loss Dukes to get some consideration.

Disappointing loss at home for Minutemen

AMHERST - Moments after Saturday's game ended, the rain - which had ranged from drizzly to steady all afternoon - seemed to erupt into a downpour that sent the fans remaining from the McGuirk Stadium crowd of 4,028 scattering for the exits and the dry safety of their vehicles.

UMass can't overcome turnovers

AMHERST - Moments after Saturday's game ended, the rain - which had ranged from drizzly to steady all afternoon - seemed to surge into a downpour that sent the fans remaining from the McGuirk Stadium crowd of 4,028 scattering for the exits and the dry safety of their vehicles.

Plenty at stake for Minutemen football

AMHERST - While the University of Massachusetts football team will need help from both other teams and the Football Championship Subdivision tournament selection committee to keep its postseason hopes alive, the Minutemen have plenty to play for when they take the field at noon Saturday to play James Madison at MCGuirk Stadium.

Football playoff picture emerging

Three Colonial Athletic Association teams won their eighth games Saturday, likely ensuring a trip to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Villanova, William & Mary and New Hampshire all joined Richmond with 8-1 records. Eight wins typically is enough to get CAA teams into the playoffs.

UMass football fires on all cylinders

AMHERST - Northeastern and McGuirk Stadium proved to be a panacea Saturday for all of the University of Massachusetts football team's woes.

The Minutemen dominated from the opening kickoff to the closing whistle and crushed the Huskies 37-7 before a home crowd of 6,725.

Nelson back in stride for Minutemen

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.

UMass offense clicks in rout of Huskies

AMHERST - Northeastern and McGuirk Stadium proved to be a panacea Saturday for all of the University of Massachusetts football team's woes.

The Minutemen dominated from the opening kickoff to the closing whistle and crushed the Huskies 37-7 before a home crowd of 6,725.

Minutemen football games all must-wins

AMHERST - University of Massachusetts senior fullback Chris Zardas does not know if finishing 7-4 would be enough to earn the Minuteman a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, but he does know that anything worse than 7-4 would certainly keep the team out.

Minutemen stand by QB Havens

University of Massachusetts football coach Kevin Morris did not hesitate on Monday's Colonial Athletic Association conference call.

"Kyle Havens will continue to be our starter," Morris said. "We need to continue to get better at the quarterback position."

It was the second straight week that Morris faced questions about quarterbacks.

Turnovers doom Minutemen in Maine

ORONO, Maine - Turnovers continued to kill the University of Massachusetts football team. After giving the ball away seven times in the loss at Richmond Oct. 24, six was enough to send the Minutemen home unhappy from Maine on Saturday.

Maine again likely derails Minutemen's playoff chances

ORONO, Maine - For the second straight season, the University of Massachusetts football team's playoff chances have likely died at the hands of Maine.

Last year a missed extra point doomed the Minutemen in a 21-20 loss in Amherst. The margin wasn't quite as tight Saturday as the Black Bears won 19-9.

Turnovers again throttle UMass

ORONO, Maine - Turnovers continued to kill the University of Massachusetts football team. After giving the ball away seven times in the loss at Richmond Oct. 24, six was enough to send the Minutemen home unhappy from Maine on Saturday.

Pressure on UMass as it goes to Maine

ORONO, Maine - For the second straight season, Maine has a chance to knock the University of Massachusetts out of the postseason picture.

Havens will start at quarterback

AMHERST - Kyle Havens' cell phone buzzed often on Sunday.

Teammates called and texted the University of Massachusetts junior quarterback to let him know they still believed in him.

UMass QB Havens will start vs. Maine

When the University of Massachusetts football team takes the field in Saturday's critical 3:30 p.m. game at Maine, it will still be Kyle Havens starting at quarterback.

"There's no controversy here," UMass coach Kevin Morris said. "Havens will be the starter."

UMass plagued by turnovers, changes quarterback

RICHMOND, Va. - Everything is open for evaluation said University of Massachusetts football coach Kevin Morris after Saturday's loss to top-ranked Richmond.

That includes the quarterback spot, which may have a new look when the Minutemen play next Saturday afternoon at Maine.

Turnovers doom UMass at Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. - Everything is open for evaluation said University of Massachusetts football coach Kevin Morris after Saturday's loss to top-ranked Richmond.

That includes the quarterback spot, which may have a new look when the Minutemen play next Saturday afternoon at Maine.

Minutemen still looking for first road win

AMHERST - Last Saturday's 23-17 upset of then-No. 4 New Hampshire proved that the University of Massachusetts football team is capable of beating a good opponent, a feat the Minutemen had yet to accomplish this season before that game.

But UMass still has yet to win a road game this season, and has not beaten a good team on the road since Sept. 6, 2008.