UMass Athletics:

Globe: Mind games facing UMass

By John Sinnett on September 1, 2011 7:20 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Nicole Auerbach of the Boston Globe has a feature today on UMass' transition to the FBS and the Mid-American Conference and the mindset being used by the players and coaches.

Head Coach Kevin Morris said his players will take a one-game-at-a-time approach to the season, which begins tonight at Holy Cross.

Sophomore tight end Rob Blanchflower said he and his teammates have broken down their season into smaller goals, too. "Even though we can't play for a CAA championship, we can play to be the best offensive [team] in the country, be the best defense in the country,'' he said. "Shut teams out, put up points, knock people out of the playoffs. We have a very competitive attitude.''

UMass Football Blueshirt MVP's: Darren Thellen, Rob Blanchflower, Julian Talley

By John Sinnett on August 19, 2011 3:32 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

UMass All-Access catches up with UMass Football Blueshirt MVP's Darren Thellen and Rob Blanchflower from Monday's practice and Julian Talley from Wednesday's practice session.

Fitchburg S&E: Minutemen Ready For Jump To FBS

By John Sinnett on August 19, 2011 7:42 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Matt Stewart of the Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise has a feature on the UMass football team previewing the 2011 season while also looking ahead to next year's move to FBS and the Mid-American Conference.

Senior tailback Jonathan Hernandez will have one of the team goals his senior season altered. Because of the move to the FBS, the 2011 season will be a transition period, in which the Minutemen will play a full FCS schedule, but will not be elligible for postseason play.

"I'm excited for the younger kids, because they are moving on to the MAC," Hernandez said. "I'm really excited for them, but I'm just excited to play this season. I don't think that affects any of us on the team at all. We like to compete and Coach Morris stresses that all the time. We're taking every game like its our last game."

"I came here to get a natinoal championship ring," Leominster native Rob Blanchflower said. "Now that we're moving up, I don't have that opportunity but I do have the opportunity to play in a bowl game. Being in a bowl game, playing in front of bigger crowds, that's pretty incredible."

Lots Of Wednesday Birthdays!

By John Sinnett on June 8, 2011 7:50 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Five Minutemen celebrate birthdays today: Rob Blanchflower from football, Kyle Jennings from swimming, Conor Sheary and Joel Hanley from hockey, and Sean Carter from men's basketball. Happy birthday guys - hope you have a great day!

Football Spring Practice Most Valuable Players

By Matt Houde on April 12, 2011 1:18 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Check out this interview with UMass Football Coach Kevin Morris and this week's Spring Practice Most Valuable Players. Tuesday's MVP's were defensive backs Christian Birt and Antoine Tharpe, tight end Rob Blanchflower and wide receiver Tom Gilson