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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
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#21/22 Mississippi State
Football Heads South To No. 21/22 Mississippi State Saturday
November 01, 2017 | Football
Minutemen trek into SEC country for Noon (ET) game in Starkville, Miss., on the SEC Network
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE | |
| Game Nine | Massachusetts (2-6 overall) at #21/22 Mississippi State (6-2) |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Nov. 4 | Noon (ET)/11 a.m. (CT) |
| Location | Davis Wade Stadium; Starkville, Miss. |
| Series History | Mississippi State leads, 1-0. Last meeting: Mississippi State 47, Massachusetts 35; Sept. 24, 2016 |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts | Mississippi State | Southeastern Conference (SEC) |
| Live Statistics | Statbroadcast |
| Listen (Online) Listen (Radio) |
105.5 FM WEEI | TuneIn Radio App (Josh Maurer & Peter Brock) 105.5 WEEI FM (Western Massachusetts/Springfield), 95.9 FM (South Shore), 830 AM (WCRN) |
| Tickets | 866-UMASS-TIX |
| Watch | SEC Network | WatchESPN |
| Team Information | Massachusetts | Mississippi State |
| @UMassFootball | @UMassAthletics | @CoachWhipUMass | |
| UMass Football | UMass Athletics | |
Young Is Restless In Backfield
In the last two games, Marquis Young recorded 233 rushing yards over 28 carries (8.3 ypc), including three for touchdowns, during wins over Georgia Southern (10/21) and Appalachian State (10/28). He had at least 100 rushing yards in each contest, his first two games with 100+ on the season and his ninth and 10th career outings in triple digits.
He had 101 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries against Georgia Southern before he posted 132 yards and two scores over 15 carries against Appalachian State.
Offense Does Numbers
The Massachusetts offense is averaging 46.0 points per game over the last three contests, with 50 against Ohio, 58 versus Georgia Southern and 30 in the win over Appalachian State. The 50 points against Ohio were the most of the FBS era for the team until UMass posted 58 in their next time on the field.
In that span, the run game averaged 224.7 yards per game, led by 96.3 by Marquis Young and 66.0 from Bilal Ally. Both have three touchdowns and average more than 5.0 yards per rush (Young: 6.9; Ally, 5.7). Andrew Ford and Ross Comis are a combined 74-for-118 (.627) with nine touchdowns against two interceptions. Five receivers have more than 125 receiving yards in that span as well, led by Adam Breneman's 236 on 23 receptions.
Overtime Minutemen
Massachusetts played the first overtime game of the team's FBS era against Appalachian State and walked off of the McGuirk Alumni Stadium field winners, 30-27, in double overtime. It was the first overtime game since Nov. 3, 2007 (L, 12-6 at Rhode Island [OT]).
The win over Appalachian State marked the team's 11th overtime game in program history, including the FCS era. UMass is now 5-6 all-time in overtime games and 2-3 when playing multiple overtime periods.
Current Location: An Endzone Near You
Three Minutemen approach the career top 10 at UMass in rushing touchdowns or touchdown receptions, including Adam Breneman (TE), Andy Isabella (WR) and Marquis Young (RB). Breneman and Isabella each enter the game against Appalachian State with 11 career touchdown receptions, two away from tying Kerry Taylor (1995-98) for 10th all-time. Young enters the weekend with 18 career rushing scores, two away from evening with Frank Alessio (1993-96), Jerome Bledsoe (1988-91) and Paul Metallo (1971-72).
Taking The Long Route
Edge-rusher Da'Sean Downey ranks among the nation's leaders in tackles for loss, standing third for TFLs per game (1.9) and total TFLs (15.5). He is also tied for 39th nationally in sacks (5.0) and tied for 45th in sacks per game (0.63).
Downey posted a career-high 4.0 TFLs and tied his personal best with 2.0 sacks in the 55-20 win over Georgia Southern (10/21). The 4.0 TFLs against the Eagles' offensive line marked the ninth-most in a single game across FBS this season and it is one of only 26 individual performances all season with 4.0 TFLs or more. He immediately followed with another 4.0 TFL game against Appalachian State, which made him one of only two players in the nation with multiple games of 4.0 TFLs or more (Brian Womac, Rice).
[Insert Prayer Hands Emoji Here]
UMass football recorded its first safety as an FBS program against Ohio. In the third quarter, a bad snap by the Bobcats landed in the endzone, which Ohio recovered for the safety. The last time UMass had a safety was against Central Connecticut on Oct. 8, 2011.
Whipple Approaches All-Time Wins Record
Head coach Mark Whipple is one win away from moving into first all-time in UMass history for career victories. Whipple owns 59 triumphs over his two tenures as the program's leader (1998- 2003; '14-present).
Whipple is currently tied with Vic Fusia (1961-70) for first in UMass football history with 59 victories. Whipple is one of five coaches in team history with at least five winning seasons. Fusia leads the way with eight while Don Brown (2004-08), Harold "Kid" Gore (1919-27), Mel Taube (1931-35) and Whipple each have five.
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