Having a great punter can be a paradox. It’s certainly better than having a bad punter, but when you’re noticing how good a punter is, well, that means the offense isn’t picking up first downs or scoring touchdowns.
UMass punter George Georgopoulos was impossible to ignore in a 45-7 loss against Toledo on Saturday. The junior from Greenville, S.C., boomed five of his eight punts more than 50 yards, averaging 52.9 yards per kick. Three of those dropped inside the 20. One carried and rolled 66 yards.
“Just felt like another day. After I hit a ball I’d think about the next rep,” Georgopoulos said. “I didn’t go back and think about how good it was or how bad it was, I just wanted the next rep and wanted it to be successful.”
Punters don’t really want to be noticed. Georgopoulos credited his gunners for making impact tackles on potential returners and downing the football
“It’s not only on me. It’s on my great punt team. You’ve got guys that want to get down field and want to make those tackles,” Georgopoulos said. “I’m thankful for them, because they make it happen.”
He also credited UMass long snapper Evan Deckers, one of the nation’s best.
“Every time he does a great job getting it back there and he takes his job very seriously. He’s a guy that comes in day in and day out wanting to get it right and wanting to have a perfect ball every time,” Georgopoulos said. “I rely on him so much and I’m thankful for him. Wouldn’t want anyone else.”
He also recognizes where his success fits in the broader team context and how it can help UMass’ other units. Toledo only scored 17 points on its eight drives that started after Georgopoulos punts. The Rockets put up 28 points after UMass’ four turnovers, scoring a touchdown on every drive.
“I’m glad we can help our defense out tremendously by doing that,” Georgopoulos said. “Pinning them back there, the offense has a less percentage of getting a touchdown so I just want to help out our defense as much as we can.”
INJURIES – Running back Kay’Ron Adams is out for the year with a “pretty significant ankle injury,” UMass coach Walt Bell said Tuesday. The Rutgers transfer will have surgery Wednesday.
Bell also said he doesn’t know whether they’ll have cornerbacks Josh Wallace and Donte Lindsay against UConn on Saturday. The starters missed the Toledo game.
Offensive lineman Max Longman will be a game-time decision.
BELLWEATHER – With Adams out, that leaves junior Ellis Merriweather as UMass’ only healthy scholarship back. He ran for a career-high 144 yards on 23 carries against Eastern Michigan the last time he was the Minutemen’s featured back with Adams out.
“It makes me go in practice and be intentional with everything I’m trying to accomplish. I don’t think about protecting myself, I think about laying it all on the line. As far as keeping myself healthy, I’m just thinking about how I can be better for the team,” Merriweather said. “That’s unfortunate about Kay’ron. He’s my brother. We’ll miss him in our running back room. But sometimes you have to have that next man up mentality. I’m trying to make the most of my opportunity.”
It will also likely open up some carries for walk-on Carter Scudo of Milfford, who spelled Merriweather against the Eagles. Bowdoin transfer Jared Chisari is the only other running back that has carried the ball (four carries, 15 yards).
But this is going to be Merriweather’s show.
“We’ll ride him until the wheels fall off,” Bell said.
EXECUTION – UMass has allowed its opponent to score first in all five games this season and doesn’t have a first-quarter touchdown.
“That’s our challenge right now is execution early in the football game, specifically offensively, falling behind early. It’s doing everything we can establishing a clean early game plan we can execute, especially with a young quarterback,’” Bell said. “We’ve got to come out, start fast and put ourselves in position to play good football.”
Both Bell and the players pointed to a lack of execution on game day rather than any structural issues with practice or preparation.
“Coach Bell called the right plays. He put us in the right positions,” Merriweather said. “We didn’t execute it. It comes down to individual execution.”
Bell has regularly praised the way the team has practiced and carried itself even as the results haven’t matched.
“You talk about resolve, you talk about handling adversity well. You talk about a group of guys that come in and swing the hammer at the stone every day, that’s our guys. Our guys practice unbelievably well,” Bell said. “We’re going to keep doing what we do. If we keep swinging the hammer the stone’s gonna break.”
UCONN LOSES SPARK – Huskies quarterback Tyler Phommachanh, who has given life to the UConn offense over the past few games with his arm and legs, is out indefinitely, UConn interim head coach Lou Spanos announced Tuesday.
Phommachanh, a Stratford, Conn., native, gained 92 yards rushing and two scores and threw for 321 yards and another touchdown. Both rank second on the team.
Sophomore Steven Karjewski has played in all five games this season, while Jack Zergiotis has made two appearances.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.