University of Massachusets Athletics
Richard Lucero Named Starting Quarterback For UMass Football Team
August 21, 2000 | Football
Aug. 21, 2000
AMHERST, Mass. -- Junior Richard Lucero (Phoenix, Ariz.) has been named the starting quarterback for the University of Massachusetts football team, it was announced today by head coach Mark Whipple. In two scrimmages last week, Lucero completed 20 of 31 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Sophomore Kelly Seibert (Monroe, N.Y.) will serve as Lucero's backup, while freshman Matt Guice (Coral Springs, Fla.) enters the season third on the depth chart.
"I think that all three of our quarterbacks are going to turn out to be excellent players, but Lucero played the best in the scrimmages and he is going to be our No. 1 guy," said Whipple. "He is a great athlete who can throw the ball well, and he has a lot of fight in him. In the limited time he has been here, he has really grasped our offensive system. I think he definitely has the ability to be the best quarterback in the Atlantic 10 Conference."
Lucero transferred to UMass in January from Phoenix (Ariz.) College. Last fall, he completed 258 of 421 passes for 2,964 yards and 24 touchdowns, and was named the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) Player of the Year. Lucero also earned All-America honors from J.C. Gridwire, and was named first team All-ACCAC and second team All-Western States Football League. Previously, Lucero played high school ball at South Mountain H.S., where he earned All-State honors from USA Today, the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Gazette.
UMass is scheduled to open its season next Thursday, Aug. 31, when it plays host to William & Mary at 7:00 p.m., in the first-ever night game at Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
