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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Coastal Carolina
First Road Trip Sends UMass Football to Coastal Carolina
August 30, 2017 | Football
Minutemen face the Chanticleers on ESPN3 at 7 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 2
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE | |
| Game Two | Massachusetts (0-1 overall) at Coastal Carolina (0-0) |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Location | Brooks Stadium |
| Series History | First meeting |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts | Coastal Carolina | Sun Belt |
| Live Statistics | GameTracker |
| Listen (Online) | 560 AM WHYN | TuneIn Radio App (Josh Maurer, Pete Brock & Matt Goldstein) |
| Listen (Radio) | 105.5 FM WEEI (Western Massachusetts/Springfield), 95.5 FM (South Shore), 830 AM (WCRN) |
| Watch | ESPN3 (Brock Bowling & Stan Lewter) |
| Team Information | Massachusetts | Coastal Carolina |
| @UMassFootball | @UMassAthletics | @CoachWhipUMass | |
| UMass Football | UMass Athletics | |
| Special Events | Coastal Carolina's first game as an FBS school |
Breneman Starts 2017 With A Bang
Second-year graduate student tight end Adam Breneman began the 2017 season with nine receptions covering 179 yards, an average of 19.9 gained per catch, against the Hawai'i defense. Seven of his receptions went for first downs, while four of them went for 20 or more yards. It was the third-most reception yards by a tight end in program history (Jean Sifrin, 185 vs. Toledo, Oct. 25, 2014; Milt Morin, 181 vs. Vermont, Oct. 30, 1965).
The Fastest To Four Digits
Marquis Young reached 1,000 career rushing yards in only 13 games played, which ranks Young among the quickest Minutemen to 1,000 yards in recent team history. The last to reach the plateau faster was Steve Baylark, who did it in 11 games as a freshman in 2003. RJ Cobbs (2001-05) also accomplished it in 11 games, as did Rene Ingoglia (1992-95).
One game into his junior season, Young has 1,941 career rushing yards over 369 carries, including 13 for touchdowns. He is nearing the 10th-place spot on the UMass career rushing yards list (John Johnson; 2,054; 1990-93).
Isabella's Breakout Sophomore Season
Andy Isabella ranked as the team's No. 1 threat at wide receiver as a sophomore in 2016 after he saw limited action at the spot during his true freshman season. He led all UMass wide receivers in receptions (62), receiving yards (801), receptions per game (5.2), receiving yards per game (66.8) and touchdown receptions (7). Among Minutemen, he only ranked behind John Mackey Award Semifinalist tight end Adam Breneman (70-808-8).
Gigantically Slim & Trim
Ray Thomas-Ishman, Sr., stands 6-foot-5, 350 pounds entering his sophomore season. One year ago, as a true-freshman starter, Thomas weighed in at 392 pounds while holding down the left guard spot for 11 of his 12 appearances. Thomas started at left tackle in one appearance during 2016, at Old Dominion, his slated full-time placement on the line in 2017. Despite losing 42 pounds, Thomas is still the largest offensive lineman on the team by 20 pounds (Derek Dumais).
Setting The Barr High
In his first game as a Minuteman, starting middle linebacker Bryton Barr led the team and tied for the game high with 13 total tackles, including 1.5 TFLs and 1.0 sacks. Prior to his arrival at UMass, Barr was a five-year member of the Towson football program, where he totaled 142 tackles, including 13.0 TFLs from 2012-16.
Mr. Rodgers' Neighboorhood
Isaiah Rodgers picked off Hawai'i quarterback Dru Brown on a jump-ball intended for Ammon Barker during the first play of the Rainbow Warriors' third drive of the season-opener. It was one of two passes Rodgers defended during the game, as he broke up another Brown attempt at the end of the first quarter.
Deploying The Fourth Down Football Mortar
Through his second season as the primary punter in 2016, Logan Laurent already ranks among the best performing specialists in UMass football history with the career punt average and single-game punt yard records.
Over 130 career punts entering the season-opener against Hawai'i, Laurent averages 41.61 yards per attempt. Brett Arnold ranks second at 41.35 yards per attempt (97-4270; 2007-08).
Laurent's most active day came in the #BattleoftheBayState against Boston College with 12 punts covering a program-record 547 yards (45.6 per attempt). Laurent dropped four of his punts inside the Eagles' 20 yard line while four traveled at least 50 yards.
He has averaged at least 41.0 yards per punt attempt in eight of the 12 games during 2017.
Rodgers Runs it Out
Isaiah Rodgers finished his true freshman season in 2016 with the fifth-most kick return yards in one campaign in program history, with 733 over 31 returns (23.6). Rodgers set the team record for kick returns in one game with nine against Mississippi State on Sept. 24, 2016. He also etched his name in the record book for the fifth-most returns and ninth-highest yards per return average in a single-season in program history.
Whipple Approaches All-Time Wins Record
Head coach Mark Whipple is three wins away from moving into first all-time in UMass history for career victories. Whipple owns 57 triumphs over his two tenures as the program's leader (1998- 2003; '14-present).
Vic Fusia (1961-70) currently ranks 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.
