University of Massachusets Athletics
LIVE FOOTBALL BLOG: UMass at Texas Tech
September 20, 2008 | Football
Sept. 20, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Gameday is here. Live from Lubbock, Texas we bring you the UMass Football Blog. The Minutemen are gearing up for their match-up against No. 10 Texas Tech, the highest ranked FBS team UMass has played since No. 7 Kansas State in 2003. Follow the latest from the Lonstar State all day here on UMassAthletics.com.
David Gunn and Jason Yellin from the UMass Media Relations bring you the latest from the trip to Lubbock.
Friday: It was a long day as the team practiced early in the morning around 8:15 a.m. at McGuirk Stadium. After breaking a sweat, it was off to breakfast in the Dining Commons. The team headed over to Barnes Air Force Base in Westfield, Mass. for the charter flight to Lubbock. We took off around 1 p.m. and landed in Texas at 5 p.m. CT. The trip to the Lonestar State is the first for most of the members of the travel party.
After getting the baggage situated, the team boarded the buses and headed to the hotel. At the team headquarters, the Minutemen were greeted by former UMass football player John Penny, who played for the team in the mid-70s. Penny, who now lives in Houston, made the drive to Lubbock and was joined by his fiance. The couple had a chance to chat with head coach Don Brown.
The players were treated to dinner at the hotel followed by a team meeting. The Minutemen then got their treatment and a late night pizza snack before heading to bed with dreams of an upset win over Texas Tech.
While the players were back at the hotel, our media staff was treated to dinner at the 50-Yard Line Steakhouse in Lubbock and boy those steaks were awesome! The night was topped with a special treat ... birthday cake from Texas Tech basketball coach Pat Knight, who was in the room next to us. Bobby's son was celebrating his 38th birthday at the steakhouse and had some extra sweets which he sent our way.
Saturday Morning: What a beautiful day in Lubbock, a few cirrus clouds in the sky with temps in the high 70s and NO humidity. How about that the most pleasant weather for the first four games will be the game in Texas!
The players woke around 8 a.m. and headed down to the team buses for a walk-through at Jones AT&T Stadium just after 9 a.m. As the buses pulled up there was a buzz in the air, the tailgaters were already setting up their tents and satellite dishes as a sellout of more than 52,000 fans are expected.
The most impressive part of the stadium has to be the mammouth press box and luxury suites. It is just massive spanning three stories. The team took to the field in shirts and shorts for some quick drills. The players are all business and looking forward to playing under the spotlight.
Liam Coen's dad Tim was there to greet the team as they came off the field and boarded the bus. After the short ride back to the hotel, it was time for breakfast and some rest before the big 6 p.m. kickoff locally.
The team will depart the hotel around 4 p.m. CT so be sure to check back for more updates on the blog.
For some more information on the game, check out UMass Football Weekly, which is now in the front page video player on UMassAthletics.com.
4:10 p.m. ET
What a facility! From the press box of Jones AT&T Stadium you can see for miles and miles in all directions as this is extremely flat country with few trees. The stadium is still mostly empty, but the tailgating is in full swing outside. There are numerous parking lots here with people going all out with RV's, giant tents, BBQ smokers - you name it. There is a definite gameday buzz around here that is sure to keep building as we draw closer to gametime.
The team is scheduled to leave the hotel and arrive here at about 3:30 local time (4:30 eastern).
It is currently 80 degrees with 40 percent humidity and a nearly cloudless sky. A beautiful day or football.
5:02 p.m. ET
The Minutemen, led by a police escort, arrived at about 3:45 CT.
The gates to the student section were opened at 4 p.m. CT and it was quite a sight watching the students sprint for the front rows and then lay across the bleachers to claim their spot and room for their friends.
5:50 p.m. ET
An hour and 10 minutes before kickoff. Armando Cuko was the first player from either side out on the field. He practiced his field goal kicking and checked the footing on the turf. Texas Tech's kickers are now out on the field warming up.
In other CAA action:
UNH 32, Albany 24, Final
Hofstra 23, URI 20, Final (Hofstra FG with three seconds left)
Furman 23, Delaware 21, Final
Richmond 44, Maine 16, 4th
Syracuse 24, Northeastern 7, 3rd
Penn 14, Villanova 14, 3rd
6:00 p.m. ET
Former Voice of the Minutemen Bob Behler is currently calling Boise State's game at Oregon, where the Broncos lead the Ducks 34-17 at the end of the third quarter. Behler was able to visit and catch up with former UMass players Matt Dawson and Alex Miller as well as former coach Eddy Morrissey, who all now coach at Oregon.
We are now under an hour until kickoff. Temperature still holding steady at a dry 85 degrees. It's a bit of a breezy day here in West Texas with winds at 14 mph with gusts at 21 mph.
6:40 p.m. ET
Just 20 minutes from kickoff. The crowd is filling in, UMass has been out and is still on the field stretching. The Minutemen have just been introduced on the bellowing PA system here at Jones AT&T Stadium. Several UMass parents have made the trip including Liam Coen's dad Tim and the Monette family.
If you have not tuned in checked out the UMass Sports Network 100.9 FM, 980 AM, 95.9 FM and 830 AM for the broadcast or listen here on UMassAthletics.com, just click the link at the top.
For the Minutemen, Sean Calicchio did not make the trip due to his ankle injury. He was hoping to, but it was just too difficult with the long plane trips. In his place, John Ihne will draw his first college start at center. He did start in week one at guard.
7:00 p.m.
Texas Tech has won the toss and will receive.
The stadium is just about completely full as we await the opening kickoff.
7:11 p.m.
Jonathan Hernandez was on UMass' opening kickoff unit. That is is first play in a game in his young career.
The Red Raiders brought the opening kickoff out to their own 42. After a nine-yard pass, two straight running plays took the ball down to the UMass 25. The Red Raiders were then called for two straight penalties, holding and a personal foul for a Tech lineman that gave Sean Smalls a shot in the face after the whistle. On third and 18 a 19-yard pass to Baron Batch got the first down and took the ball down to the 14-yard line.
Brian Ellis knocked loose what would have been a touchdown pass on first down, but Smalls was flagged for pass interference on an attempt to All-American Michael Crabtree. That gave Red Raiders the ball at the two and Shannon Woods ran it in to give Tech the early lead.
Texas Tech 7, UMass 0, 11:20 left in the first
7:15 p.m. ET
Courtney Robinson had a 42-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, but it was called back on a holding penalty by fellow returner Jeremy Horne.
Heisman candidate Graham Harrell was 2-for-4 on the opening drive for 28 yards, while Shannon Woods ran for 26 yards on three carries.
7:16 p.m. ET
On third and seven, Liam Coen found Ian Jorgensen on the flat, but he was tackled short of the first down marker and UMass is forced to punt on its first possession.
7:20 p.m. ET
Our buddy Bob Behler suffered a scare late in that Boise State game I told you about earlier. The Broncos were able to hang on for a 37-32 win after having a big lead in the third quarter.
In other action:
Villanova 20, Penn 14, Final OT
Syracuse 30, Northeastern 21, Final
Richmond 44, Maine 17, Final
7:23 p.m. ET
The Red Raiders are spreading it out with four-receiver sets and Harrell working almost exclusively out of the shotgun. With a series of short passes to the flats, Tech marched the ball down the field for another touchdown. This time it was Tramain Swindall catching a 17-yard TD pass.
UMass is now being outscored 44-0 in the first quarter this season.
Texas Tech 14, UMass, 0, 7:47 left in the first quarter
7:24 p.m.
On UMass first play after the kickoff, Coen found Horne down the right side for a big 39-yard completion that should give the Minutemen a lift.
After two Tony Nelson runs, UMass faces a third and five and calls timeout.
7:30 p.m.
After another completion just short of the sticks, UMass went for it on fourth and one at the 39 but Coen's pass deep to Horne was broken up and Texas Tech takes over on downs.
Coen is now 4-for-5 for 51 yards, but the Red Raider defense seems to be able to just guard the first down markers.
7:33 p.m.
Brian Ellis just recovered a fumble at midfield after a completion and returned the ball down the right sideline for a UMass touchdown.
Just as UMass was about to kick the extra point, Texas Tech challenged the call but the review upheld the 53-yard return for touchdown and UMass is on the board.
That is UMass' first fumble recovery for touchdown since Brandon Smith on Oct. 21, 2006 vs. Rhode Island. His was a 21-yarder.
That is also UMass' first first quarter points of the year.
Texas Tech 14, UMass 7
7:39 p.m. ET
They did it again! UMass stripped the returner on the ensuing kickoff and it was recovered by Jonathan Hernandez at the 21. The play is being reviewed again...
The play has been reversed. The runner was ruled down on the play. Tech keeps the ball.
7:44 p.m. ET
Another questionable call goes against UMass. It looked like the Minutemen stopped the Raiders on third down, but a late flag came in after the play for a facemask and Tech gets a first down at the UMass 35.
7:48 p.m. ET
Harrell just found Eric Morris on a slant for a TD from 12 yards out.
Texas Tech 21, UMass 7, 0:39 left in the first.
Eight play 79 yard drive for the Red Raiders.
7:51 p.m. ET
As the first quarter ends, some stats:
Coen is 4-for-5 for 52 yards, while Harrell is 10-for-15 for 158 yards and two scores.
Nelson has five yards on four carries, while Woods leads Tech with 32 yards on four carries.
Jorgensen has caught two passes for nine yards, while Swindall has three catches for 35 yards and a score for Tech.
In other UMass action:
Early in the second half, UMass field hockey and Vermont are scoreless at Garber Field.
7:55 p.m. ET
UMass is forced to punt. Tech takes over at their own 31.
Other key stats:
First downs are 11-1 in favor of Texas Tech
Rushing yards are 63-5 in favor of Tech
Time of possession: UMass 3:28, Texas Tech 11:32
8:00 p.m. ET
Shannon Woods just beat everyone to the corner on a handoff and then cutback and took it to the endzone untouched for a 38-yard TD run.
Texas Tech 28, UMass 7, 12:48 left in the second
8:08 p.m. ET
Ian Jorgensen just caught a 19-yard pass from Coen and hurdled a Tech defender to gain the extra yards and get UMass its second first down of the game.
UMass continues to get no love from the men in stripes. On the next play Jorgensen was called for holding. Then the next play he was called for an illegal block.
Penalties:
UMass 6-72
TT 3-30
8:10 p.m. ET
#1 App. State has taken a 14-0 lead on #5 James Madison in a clash of FBS powerhouses.
Back at Garber Field, Katelyn Orlando scored a pretty goal to give the Minutewomen a 1-0 lead on Vermont in field hockey action.
8:23 p.m. ET
Crabtree just caught a two-yard score after a pass interference call in the end zone. It was just Crabtree's second catch of the half as Sean Smalls has been on him most of the half.
Texas Tech now has 353 yards of total offense. UMass' most yards allowed in a game ever is 649 by New Hampshire in 1988.
Back at Garber, Makaela Potts just scored her first career goal to give the Minutewomen a 2-0 lead on Vermont.
Earlier today, in UMass' lone home cross country meet of the season, Nils Fischer placed first overall as the Minutemen took four of the top five spots. On the women's side, redshirt sophomore Shiyi Zan also finished first as the Minutewomen placed third overall behind Vermont and Maine.
8:35 p.m. ET
Harrell just found Eric Morris on a four-yard TD pass to give the Red Raiders a commanding 42-7 lead with just under a minute left in the half.
Harrell has completed 18 out of 25 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns. Morris has caught two of those scores.
Total offense:
TT: 391
UMass: 99
Field hockey has gone final now. The Minutewomen defeat Vermont, 2-0, and improve to 5-2.
8:40 p.m. ET
Halftime at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas
Texas Tech 42, UMass 7
Stats:
First downs: TT 19, UMass 4
Rushing: TT 138, UMass 20
Passing: TT 253, UMass 91
Total Yards: TT 391, UMass 111
Penalties: TT 4-35, UMass 8-87
Possession: TT 19:26, UMass 10:34
Be sure to listen to Josh Maurer, Matt Goldstein, and Adam Frenier on WRNX 100.9 FM and UMassAthletics.com. On the halftime show they will be interviewing Tim Coen, Liam Coen's father.
9:00 p.m. ET
Well the second half starts out the way most of the first half went, another Texas Tech score. This time it was Darcel McBath intercepting Liam Coen's pass on the third play of the quarter and taking it to the house for a 45 yard return for touchdown.
The Red Raiders lead the nation in interceptions. That was their 10th of the season.
The last time a UMass pass was intercepted and returned for a TD was Muckie Foreman returning one 58 yards at Montana in the National Semifinals in 2006.
9:05 p.m. ET
UMass is running the ball with some success now. Korrey Davis and Tony Nelson have teamed up for five-straight running plays for a total of 26 yards.
App. State 21, James Madison 14 in the third quarter.
9:14 p.m. ET
Interesting decision by Texas Tech. The Red Raiders, who have yet to punt, went for it on fourth and one at their own 49-yard line in a 49-7 game. Harrell's sneak was measured and was just enough for a first down.
9:18 p.m. ET
On fourth and one at the UMass 17, Tech left the kicker on the sideline and went for it again despite being ahead by six touchdowns. Shannon Woods took the handoff and took it around left tackle and in for the score.
Texas Tech 56, UMass 7, 3:20 left in the third
Today's attendance: a sellout of 53,190 at Jones AT&T Stadium
9:30 p.m. ET
At the end of the third, it's still Texas Tech 56, UMass 7.
A Coen to Horne 19-yard pass followed by a Davis five-yard run has UMass at the Red Raiders' 37-yard line. Horne now has two catches for 58 yards.
9:35 p.m. ET
On fourth and five at the Tech 37 and following a timeout, Coen was flushed from the pocket and scrambled for it but the ball was spotted a yard short and the Red Raiders take over on downs.
9:45 p.m. ET
Harrell is now over 300 yards passing on the night. He is the first quarterback to go over 300 against the Minutemen since UNH's Ricky Santos did it almost two years ago, on Nov. 4, 2006, with 383.
Taylor Potts is now in at QB for Tech. Harrell finishes with 322 yards on 27-of-34 passing with four TD's.
UNH's Santos was also the last opposing QB to throw four TD's against UMass. He did that on Oct. 29, 2005.
9:49 p.m. ET
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Chauncey Incarnato is now playing for the first time in a UMass uniform. He started his career at Notre Dame and transferred to Indiana before coming to the Minutemen.
9:59 p.m. ET
Scott Woodward is now taking his first snaps of the season for UMass. Coen finishes 13-for-20 for 145 yards with one interception.
10:07 p.m. ET
Korrey Davis runs in a two-yard score to complete an impressive drive by Minutemen backups. Scott Woodward led the way at quarterback for UMass' first offensive points of the evening. Texas Tech leads 56-14.
10:11 p.m. ET
Texas Tech runs out the clock for the 56-14 win. Despite the loss, it was a historic evening in UMass athletics history with the most people ever to watch a UMass sporting event. For UMassAthletics.com, enjoy the rest of the weekend. Remember, after a bye week, the Minutemen are home in two weeks when they host defending national runner-up Delaware. See you then!
