University of Massachusets Athletics
Q&A With Mark Whipple
October 29, 2001 | Football
Oct. 29, 2001
On last week's game with Villanova:
"It was a typical UMass visit to Villanova. They played really well. I thought we made a good attempt to get back in the game in the second half. Valdamar Brower made a phenomenal play to bat a pass up in the air and stay in bounds to catch it. That play cut the lead to 27-13 and we had a lot of momentum. Then we stopped them and had a chance, but we threw an interception for a touchdown, and that was the game."
On the play of Villanova's defense:
"They played well. We thought we could throw the ball on them, and we did not throw the ball well at all. We had some breakdowns in protection, not so much our line, but the backs missing assignments. They played well and made the plays that they had to. When we made mistakes, they took advantage of it, and they did not make many mistakes of their own. That is why they won the game going away."
On Northeastern:
"They are playing really well. They are playing well on defense, and now Shawn Brady is giving them confidence offensively. And L.J. McKanas is running the ball as well as anybody. He may not have the speed that Brian Westbrook and Stephan Lewis have, but he is tough as nails. He played really well against us last year, and if he would not have gotten hurt against, they might have won the game. They have a lot of momentum with two wins in a row, and they are finding ways to put their offense together. They are taking care of the football, and making plays in the fourth quarter. They are building something with Brady, and they' are really rallying around him."
