1998 Football Spring Outlook

Text

The rebuilding process for the UMass football program gets underway this spring. First-year Head Coach Mark Whipple steps onto the sidelines armed with plans for transforming the Minutemen into a consistent I-AA national power. When Whipple was announced as the 26th head coach in the 115-year history of the UMass program, he did not leave any doubt as to what it was he wanted to accomplish in Amherst. "The goal for myself and the goal for our team will be to take this program to a national championship," said Whipple.

His trademark "Whiplash" offensive system has turned heads at both Brown University (1994-97) and the University of New Haven (1988-93). Last fall, his Brown team set Ivy League and school records for total offense (474.3 ypg) and Brown marks for single-season first downs (233), passing yards (317.9 ypg) and single-game total offense (629 yards vs. Yale). Whipple's 1993 squad at New Haven was named Sports Illustrated's "Best Offense in College Football," averaging 52.5 points and 557.6 yards of total offense per game.

To carry out the first stage of this turnaround, UMass returns 16 starters and 37 total letterwinners from last year's 2-9 team (1-7 Atlantic 10). Offensively, a three-way battle will be waged for the starting quarterback duties, as returning starter Jeff Smith will be challenged by junior college transfer Todd Bankhead (Palomar J.C.) and true freshman Kelly Seibert. Sophomore tailback Marcel Shipp should be the focal point of the Minuteman running attack after setting the UMass freshman rushing record last season (756 yards), while senior Matt Jordan and junior Jamie Holston will split time at the fullback post.

With Doug Clark's status uncertain as to whether he leaves school to pursue professional baseball, several individuals will rotate at the wide receiver post, including sophomores Steve Ley and Torey Hamilton and redshirt freshman Eddie Bowman. Senior tight end Kerry Taylor returns after earning first-team All-ECAC honors last season, and will be asked to be more involved in the passing game in Whipple's offensive scheme. Three of the five starters on the offensive line return from last year (LT Cliff Bolden, LG Mike Wynne, C Deyate Hagood) and will be joined by RG Tyler Lauback and RT Mim Hill, who makes the move from defensive line to offense.

Six starters return defensively for the Minutemen, led by senior middle linebacker and Buck Buchanan Award candidate Khari Samuel. A legitimate pro prospect, Samuel was one of 10 finalists (and one of just two non-seniors) for the Buchanan Award last year, honoring the top defensive player in I-AA. Joining Samuel to give UMass one of the top linebacking corps in the A-10 will be junior Matt Dawson and sophomore Kole Ayi.

Junior Chris Price makes the move from linebacker to defensive end and will anchor the defensive front four. Senior Jamil Thomas and junior Aaron Parker are the likely starters at defensive tackle, while sophomore Dan Schneider will see time at the opposite end. Junior strong safety Jerard White will anchor the defensive secondary. Senior Tehran Hunter, who had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown at Buffalo last season, will compete with senior Mike Smith at one corner position. Sophomore Brian Smith should earn the nod at the other corner, while redshirt freshman Jeremy Robinson assumes the starting role at free safety.

Senior punter Andrew Maclay became the first individual in school history to average over 40 yards per punt last year (40.1 avg.). Junior Matt Murphy enters the spring as the top placekicker but will be challenged by several newcomers in the preseason.

What's Back, What's Lost

	1997	Returns	Lost	%
Category	Total	in 1998	in 1998	Return
Rushing Yds	1796	1574	222	87.6%
Rushing Carries	452	355	97	78.5%
Rushing TDs	11	10	1	90.9%
Passing Yds	1338	479	859	35.8%
Passing TDs	9	4	5	44.4%
Completions	121	50	71	41.3%
Attempts	279	130	149	46.6%
Receptions	121	90	31	74.4%
Receiving Yds	1338	1053	285	78.7%
Receiving TDs	9	8	1	88.9%
Total Offense	3134	2053	1081	65.5%
Total Points	149	137	12	91.9%
Tackles	1019	748	271	73.4%
Sacks	14.0	9.5	4.5	67.9%
Interceptions	6	3	3	50.0%

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics