University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Liberty
Football Faces Liberty At McGuirk On Saturday
November 11, 2024 | Football
Minutemen and Flames kickoff at 12 p.m. on ESPN+.
| University of Massachusetts Football Game Notes & Information | |
| Game 10 | Massachusetts (2-7) vs. Liberty (6-2) |
| Date |Â Time | Saturday, November 16Â | 12Â p.m. |
| Location | Amherst, Mass. | McGuirk Alumni Staadium |
| Series History | Liberty leads, 5-1-0 Last Meeting | Nov. 18, 2023 | Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, Va. | Liberty 49, Massachusetts 25 |
| Game Notes & Team Information | Massachusetts: Game Notes  |  Game Program  |  Record Book Liberty: Game Notes |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WHMP 101.5 FM, 1240AM & 1400AM Â |Â WCRN 830 AM App: Download The Varsity Sports Network on your mobile device |
| Live Statistics | StatBroadcast |
| @UMassFootball | @FBCoachDBrown | |
| UMass Football | |
| UMass Football | |
AMHERST, Mass. --Â University of Massachusetts football faces the Liberty Flames on Saturday, November 16, at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. on ESPN+.Â
SERIES HISTORY
In a series that dates back to 2018, Massachusetts and Liberty have met six times, with the Flames holding the all-time series edge 5-1-0. Massachusetts is 1-2 at home.  Â
The first meeting between the two teams on Nov. 3, 2018 was one of the more memorable games in recent history for the Minutemen as they won a triple overtime shootout 62-59 on Homecoming Weekend at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Wide receiver Andy Isabella recorded 303 receiving yards and two touchdowns on only nine receptions, which made Isabella the first receiver in FBS history with 300 or more receiving yards on fewer than 10 catches. He accomplished the feat despite not playing any of the three overtime periods due to injury. The 303 receiving yards set a program record.  Â
Liberty then evened the series on Nov. 2, 2019 with a 63-21 win at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Â Â Â
The series shifted to Lynchburg, Virginia for 2020 and 2021, with the Flames posting wins of 45-0 (Nov. 27, 2020) and 62-17 (Oct. 30, 2021). Â Â Â
On Oct. 8, 2022, Liberty came away with a 42-24 win at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Â Â
Last season at 25th-ranked Liberty, the Flames posted a 49-25 victory on Nov. 18, 2023. Taisun Phommachanh threw for 239 yards on 22-for-38 passing with one touchdown for the Minutemen, while Ahmad Haston completed all three of his passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Te'Rai Powell added six solo tackles. Â
QUICK HITS
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 164.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 10th in FBS, just behind No. 9 Iowa State (163.1) and ahead of No. 11 Northern Illinois (166.3).Â
Massachusetts ranks ninth in FBS in average time of possession (32:46), just behind Air Force (33:01) and ahead of Northern Illinois (32:42). Liberty enters Saturday ranked 17th (32:10).Â
Massachusetts ranks 49th in FBS in total defense (of 133 ranked), allowing 343.0 yards per game.Â
T.Y. Harding is one of 42 FBS players with a punt return touchdown this season (entering week 12).Â
The Minutemen are tied for 19th in FBS with eight turnovers lost on the season (six interceptions and two fumbles lost).Â
Massachusetts has held opponents to a three-for-nine mark on fourth down (.333), which ranks tied for 10th in FBS for fourth down defense. Â
According to ESPN.com, the Minutemen's remaining Strength of Schedule ranks 19th.Â
Five Minutemen have rushed for 10Â touchdowns this season, including CJ Hester (2), Taisun Phommachanh (3), Jalen John (1), Brandon Campbell (3) and Jackson Paradis (1).Â
Trivia: Entering week 12 (Nov. 11 – Nov. 17), UMass is the most recent team to defeat currently 9-0 Army West Point (UMass won 21-14 on Oct. 28, 2023 at Michie Stadium).Â
GAMEDAY NOTES
Saturday will serve as the Hall of Fame Game, with Jeff Deren (Men's Soccer 1999-2002), Dennis Fenton (Football, Wrestling 1974-77), Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng (Men's Track & Field 2001-2004) and Nicole (Way) Toye (Women's Cross Country, Track & Field 1997-99) formally inducted on Friday night as the George "Trigger" Burke Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024.Â
The game is also the department's Salute to Service contest, featuring distinguished Veteran guests, a flyover and active and retired military and first responders can claim two free tickets by presenting appropriate ID at the ticket officeÂ
PASS GRADE
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 164.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 10th in FBS, just behind No. 9 Iowa State (163.1) and ahead of No. 11 Northern Illinois (166.3).Â
The Minutemen posted four pass breakups against CCSU (Sept. 21), marking their third game of the season with at least four pass breakups (also had vs. Eastern Michigan on Aug. 31 and nine at Toledo on Sept. 7). Â
Massachusetts has totaled 27 pass breakups on the season, led by Lake Ellis (4), Tyler Rudolph (3) and Time Grant-Randall (3).Â
The Minutemen also have four interceptions on the season, with the most recent coming by Te'Rai Powell against Wagner (Oct. 26), marking the first interception of his career. Â
Isaiah Rutherford notched his first interception of the season and the second of his career at Northern Illinois (Oct. 5), while Jalen Harrell (at Miami on Sept. 28) and Ryan Barnes (vs. CCSU on Sept. 21) also recorded their first career interceptions this season.Â
HARDING: ALL PURPOSE
Redshirt sophomore T.Y. Harding helped lead the Minutemen past Wagner (Oct. 26) with a receiving touchdown and 58-yard punt return touchdown that iced the game in the fourth quarter. It was the first UMass punt return touchdown since Isaiah Rodgers, currently a defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles, returned a punt for a touchdown at Charlotte on September 14, 2019.Â
Harding ranks 52nd in FBS in combined kick return yards this season with 251 and is one of 42 FBS players with a punt return touchdown this season. Â
Harding, who started the season on the scout team, now has five touchdowns including four receiving and the punt return TD. He is now averaging 64.88 all-purpose yards per game.Â
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POWER FOUR TRANSFERS FOR 2024
Massachusetts added 14 transfers into the program with previous power four experience:
Owen Anderson - Illinois
Brandon Campbell - Houston/USC
Sterling Galban - Texas Tech
Mao Glynn II - Cincinnati
Jaylen Hudson - Wake Forest
Frank Ladson Jr. - Miami/Clemson
Jaelyn Lay - Clemson
Jacob Lurie - Vanderbilt
Brandon McElroy - Arizona State
Etinosa Reuben - Georgia Tech/Clemson
Brayden Rohme - California
Benjamin Roy Jr. - UCLA
Sam Staruch - Michigan\
Paul Tchio - Georgia Tech/Clemson
Additional players on the 2024 roster who previously joined from the Power Four include:
Ryan Barnes – Notre DameÂ
John Burton – ArizonaÂ
RJ Edwards – ArizonaÂ
Jalen Harrell – MiamiÂ
Zukudo Igwenagu – RutgersÂ
Shambre Jackson – Florida StateÂ
Jalen John – ArizonaÂ
Steven Ortiz – Arizona/MinnesotaÂ
Taisun Phommachanh – Clemson/Georgia TechÂ
Tyler Martin – Arizona Â
Tyler Rudolph – Penn StateÂ
Isaiah Rutherford – Notre DameÂ
Matt Smith – DukeÂ
Tyson Watson – Michigan State Â
Jermaine Wiggins Jr. – ArizonaÂ
JULIEN ON THE LOOSE
Redshirt junior Louce Julien posted his second sack of the season and totaled three tackles for loss (for 10 yards) in the win over Wagner (Oct. 26). Julien's three tackles for loss were the most by a Minuteman since Billy Wooden had three at New Mexico State on September 23, 2023.Â
On the season, Julien has played all nine games while totaling career highs in tackles (32/16 solo), tackles for loss (5), sacks (3.5), while also adding a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble.Â
MINUTEMEN IN THE NFL
Former cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2016-19) signed with the Eagles after three seasons with Indianapolis. After working back from a broken hand suffered in the preseason, Rodgers made his season debut against Tampa Bay on Sept. 29 and chipped in with a solo tackle and a blocked kick. He added four tackles this past week against the Cowboys.Â
Former running back Ellis Merriweather (2020-22) was elevated to the Packers' active roster from the practice squad ahead of their season opener against the Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil. It was his first career regular season game on an active NFL roster, but he did not appear in the contest.Â
Former long snapper Evan Deckers (2018-21) won the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job out of camp and made his season debut in week one but was placed on the IR before week five. Â
Former defensive back Josh Wallace (2019-22) signed with Los Angeles Rams as a free agent after he graduated from UMass and spent his final season of eligibility with Michigan (2023). He made his debut on Oct. 6 against the Packers and totaled a pair of solo tackles. He has two starts on the season and added a pass defended last week against the Seahawks. Â
Former offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson (2013-16) is on the practice squad for the Atlanta Falcons, while former wide receiver Andy Isabella (2015-18) signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad during week eight.Â
The NFL coaching ranks also include a lot of former Minutemen, including Tampa Bay Offensive Coordinator Liam Cohen (2004-08) and Chiefs Defensive Line Coach Joe Cullen (1986-89). Â
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