University of Massachusets Athletics
Coach Don Brown's Weekly CAA Teleconference
November 17, 2008 | Football
Nov. 17, 2008
AMHERST, Mass. -
Coach Brown's general thoughts on last week's game at New Hampshire:
New Hampshire had a solid kick return to start off the game, and then they had a reverse. Then we stiffened and held them to a field goal. We went right down the field, offensively, we were poised to go up 7-3. But then the ball got deflected on the goal line off a short pass, and it ended up going back 100 yards. So instead of being up 7-3, we were down 10-0. On the next two drives, we threw interceptions that resulted in one play touchdown drives; one was a zone option that they hit. We just did not execute well on defense. It really put us in a huge hole against a very good football team that we couldn't get ourselves out of. It was a very disappointing performance. There were a couple of bright spots; Victor Cruz went over 1,000 yards receiving for the year and Tony Nelson went over 1,000 yards rushing. But when you turn the ball over six times in a big game and you get no turnovers in return; we had the blocked punt which gave us an air of life. But we just couldn't get our feet underneath us, and trying to keep the right guys on the field injury wise has been difficult over the past couple weeks. At the same time you have to give credit to New Hampshire, they were ready to play, and we just did not play our best football game.
Brown on Tony Nelson:
Tony is going through a learning process as well when he became our prime I-back. It's been a learning process as to how to manage your body, and take care of yourself during the 12-week regular season, and he's learning to do that. He's had a few nicks and knacks but for the most part I think he's stayed on task and lived up to expectations that I had for him as we approached the season. And I'm very pleased about his performance.
Coach Brown on Courtney Robinson:
He's been a real defensive presence, and that's really important. With the kick return, not a lot of people kick it to him, but he had a good day on Saturday with his return piece. But he did go down with cramps, and at that time, we only had one starting defensive backs on the field when Courtney went out. We certainly miss him when he isn't there; he's a great player with a great attitude. He's played through a nagging knee injury all year, but he hasn't complained or missed practice. He's really a great citizen.
Brown on Jeromy Miles:
He's really our clean up guy in the run game. He's played at a very high level; like last year, he really sinks his teeth into what he's trying to get done. He gets better as each game goes along, and he's really performed well down the stretch for us. He's really one of the true bright spots in a tough past couple weeks. So we're really happy with the way he's responded.
Coach Brown on the 2008 Senior class:
If we can win on Saturday, and obviously we're getting ready for our Senior Game, it's the last home game for the seniors. If we can win on Saturday they will break the UMass record for career wins with 37. It's a big day for us; we have a lot of great players on both sides of the ball, led by Liam Coen. I think of Ian Jorgensen, Courtney Robinson as well; 17 seniors will be playing in their last game, and obviously we would love to send them out with a victory.
Brown on Liam Coen's Legacy at UMass:
He's just a great young man and a great person to coach. His preparation is excellent; I'm not making any excuses for him but he's been playing with a really sore throwing arm, comparable to a pitcher's elbow. He's just found a way to stay on the field and keep competing. I've said this 100 times, but I wouldn't trade him for anybody in the country, and that's in his preparation and the way he carries himself as a man. He's just a great individual and I guy that we will sorely miss in another week or so.
