University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Maine
Fenway Park Awaits Massachusetts Football Saturday
November 07, 2017 | Football
Minutemen and Maine Black Bears meet at 4 p.m. live on NESNplus
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE | |
| Game 10 | Massachusetts (2-7 overall [FBS]) vs. Maine (4-4 [FCS]) |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 4 p.m. (ET) |
| Location | Fenway Park; Boston, Mass. |
| Series History | Massachusetts leads, 41-17-1. Last meeting: Maine 24, Massachusetts 14; Sept. 7, 2013 |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts | Maine | Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) |
| Live Statistics | Sidearm Sports |
| Listen (Online) Listen (Radio) |
105.5 FM WEEI | TuneIn Radio App (Josh Maurer & Peter Brock) 105.5 WEEI FM (Western Massachusetts/Springfield), 95.9 FM (South Shore), 830 AM (WCRN) |
| Tickets | 866-UMASS-TIX | Fenway Gridiron Series Website |
| Watch | NESNplus | Eleven Sports Network | UMassAthletics.com |
| Team Information | Massachusetts | Maine |
| @UMassFootball | @UMassAthletics | @CoachWhipUMass | |
| UMass Football | UMass Athletics | |
| Honorary Captain | Retired Navy Captain and Medal of Honor recipient Thomas G. Kelley |
Steady Targets
Two Massachusetts receivers sport catch streaks of 20 or more games through the opening nine contests of the season. Andy Isabella sits at 21 consecutive games (12 in 2016; nine in 2017) while Adam Breneman is at 20 consecutive games (12 in 2016; eight in 2017) as he missed the Tennessee contest due to injury.
Breneman and Isabella's streaks of 20 or more appearances with a reception make Massachusetts one of only five teams with a pair of receivers on the list. It also includes Clemson (Deon Cain, Hunter Renfro), Florida (Antonio Callaway, Brandon Powell), Illinois (Mike Dudek, Malik Turner) and Memphis (Phil Mayhue, Anthony Miller).
He had 101 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries against Georgia Southern before he posted 132 yards and two scores over 15 carries against Appalachian State.
Isabella Loves SEC Country
Andy Isabella posed a career-best 158 yards over seven receptions, including a 69-yard score at No. 21 Mississippi State. In five games against SEC competition over the last two seasons, Isabella compiled 24 receptions for 368 yards. It includes games on the road at No. 25 Florida (2016), South Carolina (2016), Tennessee (2017) and the Bulldogs (2017) along with a Gillette Stadium game against Mississippi State (2016).
He had three receptions of 50 or more yards over those five games, including a 53-yard catch at Florida and 52 and 69-yard receptions against No. 21 Mississippi State (11/4/17).
Young Is Restless In The Backfield
In the last three games, Marquis Young recorded 324 rushing yards over 39 carries (8.3 ypc), including three for touchdowns, during wins over Georgia Southern (10/21) and Appalachian State (10/28) and the near-upset at No. 21 Mississippi State. He had more than 100 yards rushing vs. the Eagles and Mountaineer, his first two games with 100+ on the season and his ninth and 10th career outings in triple digits.
He had 101 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries against Georgia Southern before he posted 132 yards and two scores over 15 carries against Appalachian State. Young added 91 yards over 11 carries at Mississippi State.
Current Location: An Endzone Near You
Three Minutemen approach the career top 10 at UMass in rushing touchdowns or touchdown receptions, including Adam Breneman (TE), Andy Isabella (WR) and Marquis Young (RB). Isabella enters the game against Maine with 12 career touchdown receptions, one away from tying Kerry Taylor (1995-98) for 10th all-time, while Breneman follows closely behind with 11. Young enters the weekend with 18 career rushing scores, two away from evening with Frank Alessio (1993-96), Jerome Bledsoe (1988-91) and Paul Metallo (1971-72) in 10th place.
Taking The Long Route
The Massachusetts defense has 50.0 TFLs over the last six games, including double-digit outings at Temple (11.0) and at Tennessee (12.0). Prior to the six most recent contests, the UMass defense averaged 3.7 TFLs total over the opening three games (11.0 total, 5.0 vs. Hawai'i, 2.0 at Coastal Carolina, 3.0 vs. Old Dominion).
During the last six games, 17 different Minutemen recorded at least an assisted-TFL, including Da'Sean Downey's team-leading 9.5 (40 yards lost) - the only Minuteman with at least 0.5 TFLs in each outing. Downey's 13.5 TFLs in that span leads the team, followed by Sha-Ki Holines and Jesse Monteiro's 5.0 TFLs apiece.
Ball Hawk
Isaiah Rodgers recorded a pair of interceptions against Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, including one returned for a touchdown. He was the first Minuteman with multiple interceptions in the same game since Khary Bailey-Smith had two against Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 12, 2013. His pick-six was the first since Jackson Porter accomplished the feat at Kent State on Oct. 11, 2014.
Against Mississippi State, Rodgers returned his first pick for six on the first play of the Bulldogs' opening drive of the second quarter drive. Including the extra point, it put UMass in front, 13-10. He added a second interception during the third quarter, which he returned 30 yards to the Massachusetts 45 yard line.
Whipple Approaches All-Time Wins Record
Head coach Mark Whipple is one win away from moving into first all-time in UMass history for career victories. Whipple owns 59 triumphs over his two tenures as the program's leader (1998- 2003; '14-present).
Whipple is currently tied with Vic Fusia (1961-70) for first in UMass football history with 59 victories. Whipple is one of five coaches in team history with at least five winning seasons. Fusia leads the way with eight while Don Brown (2004-08), Harold "Kid" Gore (1919-27), Mel Taube (1931-35) and Whipple each have five.
