University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
6-1 , 4-0
Northeastern
1-6 , 0-4
No. 4 UMass Cruises Past Northeastern, 24-7
October 20, 2007 | Football
Oct. 20, 2007
Box Score |
Quotes |
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Photo Gallery 
AMHERST, Mass. - No. 4 UMass continued their dominance over Northeastern, winning for the 21st time in the last 22 meetings and improving their record over the Huskies at McGuirk Stadium to 12-0 with a 24-7 win on Saturday afternoon. The Minutemen, who are now 19-1 against FCS teams over the last two years, improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the CAA. Northeastern is now 1-6 and 0-4 in conference play.
Redshirt senior tailback Matt Lawrence piled up his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season running for 110 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Redshirt senior wide receiver J.J. Moore had 7 catches for 97 yards to lead UMass receivers as he moved to second all-time at UMass in career receptions with 149. Redshirt junior quarterback Liam Coen threw two touchdown passes (to Moore and Rasheed Rancher) to give him 51 in his career, tying him for UMass' all-time mark in touchdown passes. Senior linebackers Jason Hatchell and Charles Walker each posted double figures in tackles with 12 and 11, respectively.
All of the scoring took place in the first half as neither team mustered much on offense in the second half. Junior defensive back Courtney Robinson ended a Northeastern drive into UMass territory early in the fourth quarter with his third interception of the season.
The Minutemen took their largest lead of the game, 21-0, in the second quarter after Lawrence capped a nine play, 76-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Senior wide receiver Michael Omar hauled in a 29-yard pass from Coen to setup the play.
Junior quarterback Anthony Orio was able to respond for Northeastern with a 29-yard pass himself to setup a scoring play on Northeastern's next possession. Orio then ran the ball into the end zone to give Northeastern their first points against UMass since 2004 after 156:22 of play.
Senior kicker Chris Koepplin capped the scoring in the half with a 37-yard field goal. Northeastern reached the 20-yard line near the end of the half, but Redshirt junior defensive back Michael Meggett stopped the threat by picking off Orio in the end zone for his first career interception.
Coen left the game near the end of the first with an injury. Sophomore Scott Woodward replaced him and played the remainder of the game.
UMass took charge from the start, forcing Northeastern to go three-and-out and then driving 57 yards on eight plays to the end zone on their first possession. Coen completed a 15-yard pass to Redshirt senior wide receiver Rasheed Rancher for the score.
Northeastern was able to move the ball on the preceding possession, but Robinson knocked the ball away from Orio at the end of a 17-yard run to the UMass 23-yard line and sophomore defensive end Michael Hanson was there to recover it.
UMass took a 14-0 lead on their next possession as Liam Coen tied Todd Bankhead for the UMass record in career touchdown passes with 51 on a 25-yard pass to J.J. Moore.
UMass will hit the road to face William & Mary next Saturday at 1 PM.
Team Stats
NU 0, UMASS 7
UMASS - Rasheed Rancher 15 yd pass from Liam Coen (Chris Koepplin kick) 8 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:53
NU 0, UMASS 14
UMASS - J.J. Moore 25 yd pass from Liam Coen (Chris Koepplin kick) 10 plays, 71 yards, TOP 4:09
NU 0, UMASS 21
UMASS - Matt Lawrence 1 yd run (Chris Koepplin kick), 9 plays, 76 yards, TOP 3:44
NU 7, UMASS 21
NU - Orio 1 yd run (Johnson kick), 6 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:31
NU 7, UMASS 24
UMASS - Chris Koepplin 37 yd field goal 11 plays, 70 yards, TOP 3:59
