University of Massachusets Athletics
2001 Football Season Preview
July 09, 2001 | Football
July 9, 2001
Following a 2000 season which saw the University of Massachusetts football team slip to third place in the Atlantic 10 Conference and finish the year out of the top 25 for the first time since 1997, the Minutemen enter the 2001 campaign looking to recapture the form which led them to the 1998 national championship and the 1999 Atlantic 10 title. Even though some key players need to be replaced, UMass returns half of its starters from a team which finished 7-4 overall last season, 5-3 in the conference. With some talented newcomers added into the mix, the Minutemen should once again be in contention to win the Atlantic 10 championship and make a return trip to the NCAA playoffs.
The UMass offense has been among the Atlantic 10's best over the last three seasons, and looks to stay there once again in 2001. The Minutemen averaged 28.4 points and 402.7 yards per game last year, marking the third straight season they have put up at least 28 points and 400 yards per game.
"We have the talent to once again be one of the top offenses in the Atlantic 10," says head coach Mark Whipple. "In order for that to happen we need to take better care of the football than we did last season, and get more efficient and consistent play from our quarterbacks and receivers. Some guys are going to have to step up, but we should improve on offense as the season goes along."
Defensively, UMass allowed only 297.2 yards per game in 2000, while leading the Atlantic 10 in pass defense by surrendering only 159.5 yards per contest. Even though there are only two seniors on the entire defense, this unit also has the talent to pick up where last year's team left off.
"We will once again have a very aggressive defense," says Whipple. "We are very young, but are also a little more enthusiastic, probably because of the youth and exuberance. Improvement will be the key, and everybody must focus and play solid team defense."
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of how the Minutemen should look in 2001.
Running Back
On the offensive side of the ball, the Minutemen will look for a new building block following the graduation of All-America tailback Marcel Shipp. The most likely candidate to take over as the new starter is senior Kevin Quinlan, who spent the last three seasons behind Shipp as one of the nation's top backups. A year ago, Quinlan rushed for 686 yards and six touchdowns on 130 carries, bringing his UMass career totals to 1,406 yards and 16 scores on 277 rushes.
"Kevin Quinlan has had a really good career, and we think he can do everything in our offense," says Whipple. "He can catch the ball, and he runs it well inside or outside. The guys really respect him, and every time we have asked him to do something he has stepped up. He has a chance to be a 1,000-yard rusher this season."
Providing immediate competition for the starting job will be senior transfer Omari Howard, who comes to the Minutemen from the University of Central Florida with one year of eligibility remaining. Howard totaled 605 rushing yards and nine touchdowns during his first three collegiate seasons with the Golden Knights.
"Omari Howard gives us a bigger body type, and he showed some toughness during the spring," says Whipple. "He has good acceleration, and should combine with Quinlan to give us a solid one-two punch at tailback."
Also looking to win playing time is redshirt freshman Cabral Edley, who rushed for 1,678 yards and 21 touchdowns during his senior year at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, N.J.
Regardless of who starts at tailback, UMass has one of the top fullbacks in the conference ready to pave the way. Senior Pete Cariello returns for his third year as the starter, after catching 20 passes for 295 yards and pair of scores last season.
"Pete Cariello is a guy who has made big plays, and we need to find more ways to get him the ball because he can make things happen," says Whipple. "He has improved at his blocking, and his leadership will be very important."
Sophomore Steve Davis, who saw significant action in 2000 as a true freshman, will serve as the primary backup to Cariello.
Quarterback
The Minutemen will need a new quarterback to run the offense in 2001, with junior Kelly Seibert and redshirt freshman Matt Guice competing for the starting job. Seibert, the more experienced of the two, started four games under center for the Minutemen in 2000, and completed 48 of 85 passes for 491 yards and two touchdowns. Guice threw for over 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns during his senior year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and looks to contribute after learning the UMass system during his redshirt year.
"Both Kelly Seibert and Matt Guice really improved during the spring and have a much better grasp of the offense," says Whipple. "Starting some and getting playing time last season helped Seibert, and gave him some experience and added confidence. Guice made a great deal of improvement in understanding our system during his redshirt year. We will look at them both during preseason practice, and then make a decision on who will start."
Providing depth behind Seibert and Guice is freshman Scott Ratliff, who threw for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns last season at Granite Hills High School in Apple Valley, Calif.
Receivers
UMass has a number of talented wide receivers, although several are coming off injuries which depleted the position a year ago. Senior Adrian Zullo, who went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the fifth game last season, will be one of the nation's top wideouts if healthy. He has caught 135 passes for 2,130 yards and 23 touchdowns during his two and a half seasons, setting school records in all three categories. Junior Jimmie Howard, who also tore an anterior cruciate ligament in 2000, should be in contention for a starting spot, too. Howard has averaged 19 yards per catch and scored four touchdowns on only 14 receptions during his UMass career, despite missing most of last season.
Senior DeShon Hardy stepped up last season following the injuries to Zullo and Howard, and tied for the team lead in receptions with 27 for 370 yards. Junior Adonis Kinsey also showed promise last year after transferring from Syracuse, catching 11 passes for 177 yards, while senior Ed Campbell should be a factor after moving over from quarterback last season.
Others who will provide depth at wide receiver are seniors Rafael Santos and Paul Tupa, junior Tre Brady and sophomore Taj Washington.
"We have plenty of talent at wide receiver, and if everyone is healthy, this can be a strength for our team," says Whipple. "We are hoping to have Adrian Zullo back, but we are prepared to go on if he is unable to play. Jimmie Howard will provide great speed and can stretch out the defense, while DeShon Hardy showed toughness and made some big plays last season. Adonis Kinsey has great talent and is developing some consistency. And Ed Campbell gives us stability and good leadership."
The Minutemen also have their top two tight ends back, but will look for more production this season. Junior Greg Ward returns as the starter after catching four balls for 40 yards during the 2000 season. Sophomore Eugene Sigmund returns as the backup, and redshirt freshman Sean Young will push for playing time.
"There is no question we will be a lot better at tight end than we were last season," says Whipple. "We worked very hard during the spring, and have a couple of guys with experience now. Greg Ward has really improved at catching the ball, and Eugene Sigmund and Sean Young will both be able to contribute."
Offensive Line
There are two holes for the Minutemen to fill on the offensive line with the graduation of guard Tyler Lauback and tackle Joe Frawley. UMass still returns three starters up front, led by a two-year starter at left tackle in senior All-America candidate Corey Mitchell. Also back in the starting lineup from a group which allowed UMass to average 402.7 yards of total offense per game in 2000, are junior Maikel Miret at center and sophomore Carmen Collins at right tackle.
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| Senior Corey. Mitchell | ? |
"We have three pretty good guys back to lead our offensive line," says Whipple. "Corey Mitchell has shown a lot of leadership and can be dominant for us at left tackle. He should be one of the best players in the league this season. Maikel Miret gives us some stability at center, and Carmen Collins started most of last season as a redshirt freshman. We need to look at the other guys during preseason practice before we know who else starts. We will have some inexperience, but the tight end position being better can help us out in the running game."
Defensive Line
On the defensive line, two key players return to stop the run and put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. Sophomore Valdamar Brower will man one of the defensive end spots, after totaling 57 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks during his rookie season. Sophomore Doran Davis will take over as a starter at defensive tackle, after making 36 tackles and tying for the team lead with six sacks while splitting time with Compton Webster in 2000.
Redshirt freshman Adam Waters is the favorite to take over as the starter as the other defensive end, while junior Khalil Blakey looks to win the starting job as the other defensive tackle. Senior Joel Sarapin and sophomore Ian Dyche will also be in contention for playing time.
"We will probably have our most athletic defensive line since I have been here," says Whipple. "We are not quite as big as we might like, but they are all young and will just get better as the season unfolds. Valdamar Brower and Doran Davis are only sophomores, but they both played a lot last year and have good experience. Adam Waters had a really good spring coming off his redshirt season, so I think that he will really add something to the defensive line."
Linebacker
At linebacker, UMass needs to replace departed All-American Kole Ayi, but a number of talented players are ready to contribute. Returning at one of the outside linebacker spots is junior Corey Potter, who totaled 49 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2000. Sophomore Jeremy Cain should also be in the starting lineup, after making 45 tackles as the top backup last season.
Sophomore Mike Ziccardi, a transfer from Connecticut, had an impressive spring and will take over as the third starting linebacker. Last season he made 36 tackles as a starter for the Huskies. Other players who look to contend for playing time are sophomore Mark Kimener and redshirt freshman Leron Ancle.
"We will be really solid at linebacker with Corey Potter and Jeremy Cain coming back, and Mike Ziccardi transferring in from UConn," says Whipple. "We feel like those guys are all athletic and are playmakers who can do some things. We might not have the marquee name like we have had the past few years, but I think we are solid and will get better as the year goes on."
Secondary
In the defensive backfield, the Minutemen boast one of the nation's top safeties in senior All-American Jeremy Robinson. A three-year starter at free safety, Robinson ranked third on the team in tackles last season with 75, while leading the Minutemen in both interceptions (four) and pass breakups (eight). Joining Robinson at safety is junior Anton McKenzie, who recorded 42 tackles and tied for the team lead with six sacks as the nickel back in 2000. Senior Bill Barry and sophomore Ryan McHugh will also look to win time at safety.
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| Senior Jeremy. Robinson | ? |
"Jeremy Robinson will be crucial for us," says Whipple. "He has been a great playmaker for us in the past, and needs to be a leader this season with our young defense. Eddie Bowman gives us some leadership at cornerback, after starting there the second half of last season. He is very consistent, and I think he has found a home there. Anton McKenzie was a real playmaker for us last year, so we feel good about those guys. Somebody will have to emerge at the other cornerback spot during preseason practice."
Special Teams
UMass returns all of its kickers from last year's squad, at a position which looks to become a strength this season. Junior David Sanger is back as the starting punter, after averaging 39.4 yards per punt last season and placing 14 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. He also owns the top career punting average mark in school history, with a 40.1 clip over his first two seasons.
"David Sanger is a great coffin corner punter and has only gotten better," says Whipple. "He needs to be a little more consistent, but overall he has kicked the ball very well. He is one of those guys who has been in the mix for two years now, and he makes our kicking game really solid."
At placekicker, the Minutemen will once again rely on the duo of junior Doug White and senior Jason Cherry. The two split time last year, with White hitting on 10 of 11 field goals and 16 of 17 extra points, while Cherry connected on one of two field goals and 15 of 19 extra points.
"Both Doug White and Jason Cherry have done a really good job for us," says Whipple. "White has been a little more consistent on field goals, but both of them have improved their leg strength and are more consistent. They have both kicked in pressure situations, so I feel good about that position."
As for kick returners, the Minutemen seem to have an unlimited number of options. Quinlan could once again be used as the primary kick returner, with both Jimmie Howard and Omari Howard looking to make an impact. Hardy looks to return to his role as the top punt returner, while Robinson, Brooks or Brady also could compete to see action.
"We have some guys with really good experience in DeShon Hardy, Jimmie Howard and Kevin Quinlan," says Whipple. "We also have some freshmen coming in with really good speed who we might look at. And of course, if Adrian Zullo is healthy, he will always be a threat to return kicks."
Schedule
The 2001 schedule begins with what may be the nation's most challenging September slate. The Minutemen open up at home against William & Mary on Sept. 1, before hitting the road for a Sept. 8 game at Division I-A Marshall, which went 8-5 and won the Motor City Bowl last season. UMass comes home to face 2000 NCAA quarterfinalist Richmond in its Atlantic 10 opener on Sept. 15, before returning to the road to face NCAA semifinalist Delaware on Sept. 22. The month concludes with a date at Hofstra on Sept. 29, giving the Minutemen three straight games against schools which advanced to at least the NCAA quarterfinals in 2000.
Following that killer stretch, UMass will have a week off before playing back-to-back home games against New Hampshire (Oct. 13) and James Madison (Oct. 20). The Minutemen return to the road for a Oct. 27 contest at Villanova, then face Northeastern on Nov. 3 at home. Following a tough, late season trip to Maine for a Nov. 10 game, UMass concludes the regular season at home against Rhode Island on Nov. 17.
"I think we have a good schedule this season, and it shows what our program is all about," says Whipple. "It is much better than our schedule last year. They are all big games for us this year, and there is no one we can look over."
Closing Thoughts
With 12 starters returning and a number of quality backups looking to win starting jobs, the Minutemen should once again have the ingredients necessary to build a championship team. If the young players can develop early to help the team survive its tough schedule early in the year, UMass could be a battle tested team come the end of the season. Look for the Minutemen to be in the hunt for the Atlantic 10 crown and an NCAA playoff bid come November.
"The biggest keys for this team to have success are maturity and improvement," says Whipple. "I expect this team to really improve, given their work ethic and enjoyment for the game. We are younger than we have been the past few seasons, but we also have some experienced players who should step up and be leaders for us this season. Our biggest goal will be to improve and get better as the season goes along."
