University of Massachusets Athletics
Post Game Quotes: UMass 36, Towson 13
September 15, 2007 | Football
Sept. 15, 2007
Recap |
Box Score |
Notes |
Photo Gallery 
Towson Head Coach Gordy Combs' Opening Statement:
UMass definitely did no disappoint. I said this the last time we played, UMass is the closest to a 1A team we face and in order to come out on top we need to play mistake free football and capitalize on mistakes. We did not do that today.
Combs on how the injury to Leon Stevenson affected the game:
Whenever you lose a leader out their on the field it has a negative affect on the game. We have been dealing with many injuries thus far and that disrupts the continuity a team needs to succeed. We will just have to fight through it and come out and play hard every game.
Combs on adjustments UMass made over the course of the game:
I cannot really speak on behalf of Coach Brown, but it did not look like they made any adjustments. We just did not execute. We were unable to cash in on many mistakes and that's something you cannot get away with. You only get so many opportunities in a game so you need to grasp them when hey come your way.
Combs on Towson's special teams:
It was frustrating because these are things that we go over all the time in practice. Fielding punts, making correct snaps and proper blocking techniques are things that are necessary to execute on the special teams side of a game. On the field goal block we failed to block the inside first, which is something that we go over during practices. We did not do it and we got hurt. We have a true freshman snapper so that inexperience came to play on the missed snap.
UMass Head Coach Don Brown's Opening Statement:
We knew we were heading into a tough conference game today and we stepped up to the challenge. I was very pleased with our playmakers. Rasheed Ranchers catch was the greatest catch I have seen in 30 years. It was an incredible play and a turning point in the game. I think Coen showed why he is such a great leader today. He tweaked his knee but came back and led us to the win. Anytime we have Coen under center I like our chances.
Rasheed Rancher on his incredible catch:
The ball was thrown to me before I could make my cut due to the pressure put on Coen. I saw the ball coming towards me and instinct took over. I just reached up and was able o get a hand on it and then I just grabbed it and ran to the endzone. Like I said it was just instincts.
Sean Smalls on his interception return for a touchdown:
I did my best to force the receiver to the outside. The ball was thrown a little behind the receiver and I just made a play on it. When I caught it and broke the first tackle I knew nobody was going to catch me.
Brown on Michael Omar's great day:
I was really happy for Omar. He has had to deal with some knee problems so it was nice to see him make some big plays and get into the endzone.
Coach Brown on his blitz scheme:
We actually blitzed around 50 times today. This game called for it because they have a great quarterback who is having a superb season. Perimeter pressure was key to stopping him and ultimately coming out on top.
Brown on where his team is three games into the season:
We are not even close to where we need to be right now. It has been tough integrating new people into new spots out on the field and Coen is still getting comfortable with all the guys around him. We have a long way to go but the bottom line is we are 3-0 right now and we got a big conference victory today.
