It was a tough loss for UMass on Saturday against Akron at Gillette Stadium. Here are the recaps and highlights from the game. The Minutemen will now turn their focus to the Central Michigan game this Saturday at 1 PM.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a story on quarterback Mike Wegzyn who will likely start on Saturday against Northern Illinois as A.J. Doyle recovers from injury.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican sat down with quarterback Mike Wegzyn to discuss the Maine game, the competition this year at quarterback, his relationship with A.J. Doyle, and how the team turns its focus to Kansas State.
Mark Chiarelli of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a story on UMass' quarterback competition as both A.J. Doyle and Mike Wegzyn are pushing to be this week's starter at Kansas State.
Nick Canelas of the Daily Collegian has a story on the improvements UMass fans saw in the Wisconsin game from the football team and how those should translate this weekend for the Maine game at Gillette Stadium.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a feature story on Mike Wegzyn and his growth from 2012 to now. Wegzyn's offseason included time in the weight and film rooms which have prepared him better for the upcoming season.
Wegzyn said last year's struggles have both motivated and educated him.
"It was good to see I've improved. I spent more time in the film room than a lot of people would have liked. I'm glad I can see improvement from it and know that I'm getting stuff out of what I'm doing. That just makes me want to continue on that path and keep moving forward," he said. Coming off last year, there's a bad taste in everybody's mouth. We're going to hit the field running. Last year doesn't reflect how I, or anyone on the team, can, will and should play. Success isn't sweet without failure. If there's not something bad, you wouldn't know how good something is."
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a feature on center Matt Sparks and how he has improved from last season to now. After playing as a guard in 2012, Sparks will start at center for the Minutemen.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a look at how UMass has transitioned from preseason camp to official game week preparations for the trip to Wisconsin next Saturday.
Nick O'Malley of the Springfield Republican has a story from media day on UMass quarterback Mike Wegzyn and how he and his receivers are working together this season.
Jimmy Kelley of HustleBelt.com writes that the UMass offense has plenty of weapons and more confidence entering 2013 which should translate into improved performances and the ability to move the chains consistently.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican has a look at the UMass offense and what can be done this year to generate more big plays to help sustain drives. Wide receiver Tajae Sharpe says a balanced run game will help the Minutemen set-up the pass better in 2013.
Dan Malone of the Springfield Republican finished his 10 players to watch series in this piece. He has Rob Blanchflower as his No. 3 player to watch, while quarterback Mike Wegzyn takes the No. 1 spot.
Be sure to join us at the Hangar Pub & Grill tonight for the UMass Football Coach's Radio Show with Charley Molnar. Our player guests will be quarterback Mike Wegzyn and defensive tackle Hafis Williams.
Also, please note the show will start at the special time of 6:10 PM to accomodate the men's basketball game against Providence which will follow right after.
Fans can listen on the flagship radio station of UMass football and basketball, 105.5 FM WEEI Springfield, or by using the TuneIn App for smart devices.
Stephen Hewitt of the Daily Collegian previews the Western Michigan game and says the improvement of UMass over the last two weeks is encouraging progress.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette takes a look at the impact the true freshmen and redshirt freshmen classes are making on the UMass football team. All told, 26 freshmen have played this season with 7 earning game starts.
Stephen Sellner of the Daily Collegian has a piece looking at the progress of the UMass football program over the last two weeks with a focus on quarterback Mike Wegzyn.
Stephen Sellner of the Daily Collegian has a preview of Saturday's game against Ohio at Gillette Stadium.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a preview of UMass' game against Ohio on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. One focus of the story is UMass' ability to convert scoring chances in the red zone.
Despite an improved showing on both sides of the ball, the UMass football team fell in its MAC opener at Miami on Saturday. The highlight of the game was Michael Cox who ran for a career-high 188 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns including an end-over-end front flip which was ESPN Sports Center's No. 5 Play of the Day. Here are the recaps of the game.
Harry Plumer of the Springfield Republican has a story today on the return home for Michael Cox and Mike Wegzyn when the Minutemen play Michigan this Saturday. Cox is a Michigan alum who is a graduate student at UMass. He played four years as a back-up tailback for the Wolverines before transferring to UMass for his fifth-year of eligibility. Wegzyn grew up in the Detroit area before moving to Tennessee prior to his senior year in college.
Harry Plumer of the Springfield Republican writes about the offensive improvements last Saturday against Indiana and where the Minutemen can build upon heading into the Michigan game.
Harry Plumer of the Springfield Republican looks back at the individual highlights from the game against Indiana.
John Connolly of the Boston Herald led his Monday notebook with a look at UMass redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Wegzyn and the step forward the offense took in Week 2 of the season.
Harry Plumer of the Springfield Republican has a story on how UMass football practice changed on Saturday from preseason camp mode to game-week mode with the Minutemen preparing to face UConn this Thursday night.
John Connolly of the Boston Herald has a story today about Mike Wegzyn being named the starting quarterback as preseason camp winds down and the Minutemen prepare for UConn next Thursday night.
John Connolly of the Boston Herald takes a look at redshirt freshman Mike Wegzyn who will likely be the starting quarterback in the season opener at UConn.
