UMass Alums Happy Jets After Advancing To AFC Title Game

By Jason Yellin on January 17, 2011 7:59 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

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The New York Jets and their UMass alums are off to the AFC Championship game after the green and white pulled off the 28-21 upset win at New England. General Manager Mike Tannenbaum, assistant GM Scott Cohen along with players James Ihedigbo and Vladimir Ducasse all earned degrees from UMass. Ihedigbo served as a team captain for the game in carrying out a No. 90 Dennis Byrd jersey. Coach Rex Ryan had invited former defensive end Byrd to address the players at the team hotel Saturday night to convey to them the urgency of seizing the opportunity that was ahead of them.

Here are stories mentioning Ihedigbo.

• USA Today: Rex Ryan's Jets shock Tom Brady, Patriots with 28-21 win

• FanHouse: Dennis Byrd's Inspirational Message Reached Jets in New England Upset

• Canadian Press: Former Jet Dennis Byrd, whose career ended with broken neck, inspires team.

• ESPN: Jets' D stomps 'unstoppable' Brady

• ESPN: Boy, were we wrong about the Jets

• New York Times: For a Second Week, the Jets Make an Elite Quarterback Look Ordinary

• Asbury Park Press: Borden Column: Rex Ryan deserves credit for victory