University of Massachusets Athletics
2008 UMass Football Season Preview
July 17, 2008 | Football
July 17, 2008
AMHERST, Mass. - Coming off back-to-back conference championships, head coach Don Brown is looking to continue the winning tradition at the University of Massachusetts. The Minutemen have posted a 23-5 record over the last two seasons including a 15-1 mark in league play in rendering themselves one of the premier programs in the Football Championship Subdivision.
UMass has been dominant at home over the last two years posting a 14-0 record at the friendly confines of the McGuirk Alumni Stadium. This year the Minutemen will have six regular-season home games as they welcome new permanent lighting at McGuirk. The Minutemen kick-off the season under the lights at 6 p.m. against Albany on Aug. 30. UMass also has several other games slated for 3:30 p.m. that will allow the lights to take effect in the second half.
The Minutemen have made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances reaching the 2006 Championship Game and advancing to the 2007 NCAA Quarterfinals. In 2008, the Minutemen are seeking their third straight trip to the postseason, which would be a first in school history.
UMass returns 12 starters including senior All-American captains quarterback Liam Coen and cornerback Sean Smalls. Both players are top candidates for the most prestigious awards in all of FCS Football. Coen is up for the Walter Payton Award, as the division's top offensive player while Smalls is a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the defensive standout.
The Minutemen are the preseason favorite to win the overall CAA Championship according to the coaches' vote. UMass is ranked in the Top 5 nationally by many publications.
Here is a positional breakdown of the 2008 Minutemen.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Senior captain Liam Coen has re-written the passing record book at UMass. Coen has been selected as the CAA's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and is a preseason All-American by many publications.
The Rhode Island native enters his fourth and final season as the starting quarterback holding virtually every career, season and single-game mark for the Maroon & White. Coen, who was a candidate for the Payton Award last season, is a favorite heading into 2008. Coen has the confidence and leadership to lead the Minutemen back to the postseason with a championship drive.
"Liam is the best quarterback in UMass football history," said Brown.""He is the leader on offense and I have the utmost trust in his running our football team."
The signal caller enters the year as FCS' career active leader in passing efficiency (152.43), passing touchdowns (66) and total offense yards (8,130). He is second among all active players in completions (624), passing yards (8,282) and completion percentage (64.46). All of these marks also stand as UMass career records.
Coen leads UMass' dynamic offense which averaged 31 points per game in 2007, including more than 35 points in the first four games of the season, and led the offense to more than 400 yards per game. Coen threw for more than 3,000 yards for the second year in a row last season as he tossed a career-best 30 touchdowns in leading the Minutemen to a second-straight 10-win season.
He comes into 2008 after the two most prolific passing days in UMass history with 421 and 419 yards in the two NCAA playoff games last season.
Coen is backed up by Massachusetts native Scott Woodward, who has been a versatile performer over the last three seasons. Woodward, who gained significant playing time at Boston College, showed he could hold his own against one of FBS' top programs as he relieved an injured Coen. Woodward also serves the holder on kicks for the Minutemen and is the back-up punter.
Behind Woodward are redshirt freshmen Octavious Hawkins, a product of Hollywood, Fla., and Scott Wallace from Avondale, Pa. Both players spent 2007 running the scout team at quarterback.
Spencer Whipple, the son of former UMass head coach Mark Whipple, has returned to Amherst, after his true freshman season at the University of Pittsburgh. Whipple will seek some playing time in his first year with the Minutemen.
Running Back
For the second year in a row, UMass will look to a new mainstay in the backfield. Last season, Matt Lawrence emerged as the starting tailback after current Arizona Cardinal Steve Baylark graduated. Lawrence went on to earn CAA Second-Team honors in gaining 1,585 yards to rank 15th in the NCAA. Lawrence has since graduated and is in camp with the Chicago Bears.
The man who backed up Lawrence and Baylark prior to that will be given the chance to be the primary back as Tony Nelson enters his junior year as the No. 1 tailback. The speedy and shifty Nelson picked up 486 yards on the ground last season and proved to be a big gainer when needed. Coach Don Brown has high expectations for Nelson, who was recruited by many FBS schools when he came to UMass prior to 2005.
"Tony has a chance to be a special player at UMass," said Brown. "He showed great improvement in spring football and he will be ready to tote the ball for us this fall."
Nelson has shown flashes of brilliance over the last two seasons when given the opportunity. As a redshirt freshman, he scored three touchdowns against William & Mary to earn A-10 Rookie of the Week honors. Last season, he gained more than 100 yards for the first time at Maine on just 18 carries.
Behind the 5-10, 210 Nelson will be senior Brandon White, who gives UMass a nice alternative. At 6-2, 245, White is a bruising power back who is being given an opportunity in his fifth year in the program. He has moved around the field playing defensive end and fullback in his time in Amherst. White showed well in the spring football game and is a solid option for the Minutemen.
Redshirt freshman Jonathan Hernandez will see some time in the backfield. The two-time Massachusetts Super Bowl MVP gained valuable experience with the scout team last season and has shown nice flashes.
True freshman Korrey Davis out of Lynchburg, Va., and local product Alphonsus Aguh from Amherst will be in the mix for playing time at tailback as well.
The fullback spot on that UMass has good depth as junior Chris Zardas heads into camp as the starter. Zardas has recovered from a knee injury suffered in the NCAA First Round win over Fordham and will be a key to the offense. The Wakefield, Mass., product showed well late in the season, especially in the Fordham game prior to his injury. He was also a threat out of the backfield on screen passes during the season grabbing a pair of touchdowns.
Teaming with Zardas will be redshirt freshman Emil Igwenagu, a product out of Holy Name Catholic. Igwenagu played both sides of the ball last season at linebacker and running back as he was named one of the teams most outstanding scout team players of the year.
Senior Chris Cefalo gives UMass another experienced player at fullback and is a special teams contributor.
Wide Receiver
The Minutemen have the biggest holes at wide receiver as they graduated a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in All-CAA selections J.J. Moore and Rasheed Rancher. Additionally, Michael Omar also graduated after a 44-catch season, so UMass lost its top three wideouts.
The only returnee with more than 10 career catches is junior Jeremy Horne, who made 12 grabs last season, his first in Amherst after transferring from Syracuse. The Minutemen have a lot of untested talent at wide receiver. In all, UMass receiving corps has just 18 receptions including Horne's dozen.
Starting opposite Horne will be the exciting and much improved Victor Cruz. Now in his fourth season in the program, Cruz will be looked upon to be one of Coen's top targets.
"Victor needs to step up and be a factor for us this season," said Brown. Also on the two-deep at receiver are sophomore Ke'Mon Bailey, who red-shirted last season after playing limited ball as a true freshman, and redshirt freshman Julian Talley, who is weapon in waiting.
The Minutemen have plenty of other options at receiver and it is expected many players will see action. Junior Joe Sanford saw spot duty last season after converting from a quarterback and hauled in two touchdowns. Boston College transfer Warren Wilson was the star of the spring football game with several tremendous catches and will see playing time.
Sophomore Torrey Esalomi gives UMass a speed option at wideout in his third year in the program and Aaron Fears could be a contributor.
Freshman Julian Colarusso comes to UMass with top credentials out of Catholic Memorial High School.
Tight End
One of the four returning starters on the offensive side of the ball is senior tight end Ian Jorgensen. The 6-5, 270 Hollaston native had his finest season in 2007 as he grabbed 15 balls for 145 yards and five touchdowns. A top blocker, Jorgensen gives UMass another offensive option and has been a key in the postseason scoring three of his six career scores in the NCAA playoffs.
"Ian is a big, strong player with many physical gifts," said Brown. "He is an excellent blocker and has become a better pass catcher."
Junior Matt Silver will see more time in 2008 after an injury-plagued sophomore year. Silver possesses good hands and catching skills to open another option. Converted defensive lineman Andrew Krevis will be in the mix at tight end and senior Ryan Logan will be used as a hybrid H-Back in his final collegiate season.
Offensive Line
UMass has retooled its offensive line as just one player returns in his starting spot from a season ago in junior Vladimir Ducasse at left tackle. Senior captain Sean Calicchio makes the move from right tackle to center, where he will snap the ball to roommate and close friend Coen.
Calicchio is a preseason All-CAA selection after being a second-team pick last season. Calicchio returns to the field full-time in the fall after missing much of the spring with shoulder surgery.
"Sean is the leader of the offensive line," said Brown. "He is very versatile and proven to be a very valuable player in his time at UMass. He is imposing at 300 pounds and is still quick on his feet."
Ducasse, a native of Haiti, has continued to flourish on the offensive line. He won the left tackle job during training camp in 2007 and has improved in all areas of the game under the tutelage of Brian Picucci. In his 12 games last season, UMass allowed just 15 sacks.
Senior Ben Coblyn is expected to start at left guard after returning to the sport of football in 2007. The former basketball player at Boston University returned to his hometown to play for the Minutemen and has added more than 30 pounds. The imposing Coblyn stands 6-8, 296 pounds and according to Brown has "Sunday ability" meaning he could play in the NFL.
Right tackle will be manned by converted tight end Rob Getek, now a junior. The Pepperell native is one of the most improved players on the team according to Brown and will be given a chance to win a starting job on the line after moving there last spring. He will compete with redshirt freshman Brian Ostaszewski for time.
Two players who have never played in a college game will compete for time at right guard. Redshirt freshman Josh Samuda heads into camp as a starter. The Hollywood, Florida native, showed some flashes in spring football but needs to be more consistent according to Brown. Senior Chauncey Incarnato will be given a chance to play in his final college season after being on the roster at both Notre Dame and Indiana before finally landing in Amherst last season, only not to be eligible as a second-time transfer.
Sophomore John Ihne and redshirt freshman Justin Sawicki are back-ups at center and left tackle, respectively. True freshmen Stephane Milhim, Sean O'Connor and Gilbert Parson could be in the mix, but are expected to redshirt in their first collegiate seasons.
DEFENSE
Defensive Backs
UMass possesses perhaps the best secondary in all of FCS football with senior captain All-American and NFL prospect Sean Smalls leading the way. The cornerback joins Jeromy Miles and Courtney Robinson as preseason All-CAA selections.
Smalls is one of the top players in the country according to Brown. "Sean has a great skills set and speed to go with his size (6-1, 205) which make him the complete package at corner."
Last season, Smalls was a first-team All-CAA selection and an honorable mention All-American as he racked up 49 tackles and a league-best 12 passes defended. He has two interceptions and 10 break-ups as he tried to get his hands on any ball with many opponents shying away from throwing his way.
Smalls teams with Robinson on the corners to create a dangerous tandem for opposing offenses. Robinson, was also a first-team All-CAA pick in 2007 and honorable mention All-American. He posted 48 tackles in his first year as a full-time starter on the defensive backfield. He also had three interceptions and 4.5 TFLs as a blitzer from the secondary.
"Courtney and Sean give us the best set or corners in the country," said Brown. Junior Miles returns for his second season in Amherst after transferring from Navy in 2007. A preseason All-American by Draft Consensus, Miles racked up 67 tackles last season (tied for fourth-best on the team) from the free safety position. He also had 10 passes defended and forced four fumbles to rank second in the CAA.
"Jeromy is a play-maker," said Brown.""He made an immediate impact and has good size and quickness while playing with a quiet confidence."
Rounding out the starters in the secondary is senior Brian Ellis, a former linebacker, who will be the rover or strong safety. Ellis has shown great improvement in his time at UMass. He had 25 tackles last season playing mostly in packages.
Junior Corey Davis is the nickel cornerback and will see a lot of time as part of Don Brown's plethora of schemes on defense.
Junior Eric Dickson will be the back-up free safety in his fourth year in the program. He is also a top-notch special teammer on coverage. Senior Keiron Brown and sophomore Reshaude Goodwin, both who transferred to UMass prior to 2007's season, will back-up at cornerback. Brown came from Toledo and Goodwin from Boston College last August.
Former walk-on Shane Viveiros has earned a scholarship and will back-up Ellis. Sophomore James Carven will also be in the mix. True freshmen Kumar Davis, Nicklas Haag, Daniel McLaughlin, Darren Thellen add depth in their first college years.
Linebackers
UMass graduated its pair of 100-tackle linebackers in All-Americans Jason Hatchell and Charles Walker and will have big holes to plug. Over the last two years, UMass has had five players rack up more than 100 tackles in a season and this year a new cast of characters will have a chance to add to that number.
Senior George Byrd has the most experience of the corps, having starting at WILL linebacker last season. He has played in 36 games over the last three years and has 98 total tackles.
"George contributed as a true freshman, showing his talent," said Brown. "He is an impact maker and has increased his physical play to make him more of a factor."
The motor of the linebackers will be MIKE backer Josh Jennings. The junior was third on the team in tackles last season and is the leading-returning tackler with 69. He also notched 9.5 TFLs, third-most on the team in 2007. Jennings is a top-level athlete who started just five games last season, but piled up impressive numbers.
"Josh is explosive," said Brown.""He plays with great passion and intensity. He can really get after the quarterback."
The SAM linebacker spot will be a battle between senior Andrew Resende-Gomes and junior Anthony Rouzier. Both players saw time last season as back-ups and on special teams. Resende-Gomes has shown good improvement and works hard in all aspects of the game. Rouzier has been injury-plagued in his career since transferring from UConn in 2006, but has had great workouts in the weight room.
The back-ups at WILL and MIKE are sophomores Sam Besong and Chad Arango, respectively. Both players spent last year on the scout team, but will contribute this season.
A host of NLI signees will have a chance to play at linebacker as well. Junior college transfers Terrance Farris, out of Dean College (Mass.) and Kurt Filler from the College of San Mateo (Calif.) will be given chances right away. True freshmen D.J. Adeoba, Chris Chamberlin and Tyler Holmes add depth and will learn the system in 2008.
Defensive Line
UMass returns three of its four starters from one of the nation's top defensive lines. UMass was fourth in the NCAA sacks per game last season with 3.38 (92 total sacks). The Minutemen did lose first-team All-CAA defensive end David Burris, but return three impact players on the defensive line.
Junior captain Brandon Collier was a third-team All-CAA pick as a sophomore last year. He racked up 62 tackles including 4.5 sacks and 6.5 TFLs, starting all 13 games at defensive tackle. At 6-1, 280, Collier has great speed as he starred in the 100-meters on his high school track and field team.
"Brandon is coming off outstanding back-to-back seasons," said Brown." We are looking for him to take the next step to become a true force on the defensive line."
Next to Collier at the anchor (left defensive end) is junior Michael Hanson, one of top pass rushers in the conference. Hanson was second in the CAA in TFLs in 2007 with 16 for a loss of 83 yards. He also had seven tackles for 67 yards. Hanson stands 6-2, 260 and has good speed and quickness.
"Michael plays at a very high level," said Brown." He has a strong motor and excellent pass rushing skills."
At nose tackle, junior Kyle C. Harrington returns as the starter after emerging as one of the most improved players on the team last year. At 6-3, 280, Harrington is a force with incredible strength. He has bench pressed 435 pounds and has made great strides with his defensive technique Harrington had 43 tackles including a career-best 10 against Rhode Island late in the season.
The other defensive end spot will be manned by a pair of seniors who have contributed over the last few years. Darnel DeLaire and Derrick Fenner have been back-ups but will see their most playing time in 2008. DeLaire is penciled in as the starter after making 21 tackles last year including 3.5 TFLs. Fenner had 17 stops in his most playing time in Amherst.
Senior Shaun Allen, who has made great strides will be the back-up at nose tackle. The versatile Maryland product can play multiple positions on the line. Sophomore Bob McLaughlin, will back-up Collier at defensive tackle in addition to his long snapping duties.
Junior Anthony Monette, who was named the team's top defensive scout team player for the second time in three years in 2007, will be the back-up to Hanson at anchor.
Junior college transfer Theluxon Pierre, Delaware transfer Raymond Jones and redshirt freshman Courtney Jackson will be in the mix on the defensive line. True freshman Nicholas Collilouri and Charles Thompson will add depth.
SPECIAL TEAMS
UMass has one of the top return men in the nation in Courtney Robinson. The senior stands on the all-time lists at UMass in career and single-season return yardage. He broke out for a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD in the opener against Holy Cross last season and expects at least one more score in his final college season.
Robinson will return kickoffs along with junior Jeremy Horne, who had 10 run-backs last season.
The punt return game will be handled by Sean Smalls and Victor Cruz. Both showed well in the spring season despite not returning punts last season with since-graduated J.J. Moore handling those duties.
UMass will look to junior Armando Cuko to handle the kicking duties after two years of all-conference kicking from Chris Koepplin. Cuko has a tremendous leg and has worked to improve his accuracy. Cuko was the starting kicker back in 2005 as a true freshman and booted a notable game-winner from 41 yards to beat James Madison in the mud. Cuko will handle kickoffs as well.
The punting game belongs to senior Brett Arnold as camp opens. The former junior college star, started the first 12 games last season and was among the CAA leaders early on, but struggled late in the season. Arnold has worked hard on his game and is expected to be more consistent on a punt-to-punt basis. Behind Arnold on the two-deep is back-up quarterback Scott Woodward, who punted in the NCAA Quarterfinals at Southern Illinois and versatile senior Ryan Logan.
Long snapping duties will be held by sophomores John Ihne and Bob McLaughlin. UMass lacrosse player Travis Tripucka will also be in the mix as a long snapper once camp begins.
