University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Hawai'i
Football Kicks Off 2017 Under The Lights at McGuirk on Saturday
August 21, 2017 | Football
Minutemen host Hawai'i for a 6 p.m. game broadcast live on NESNplus
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE | |
| Game One | Massachusetts (0-0 overall) vs. Hawai'i (0-0) |
| Date | Time | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 6:00 p.m. |
| Location | McGuirk Alumni Stadium |
| Series History | Hawai'i leads, 1-0. Last meeting: Hawai'i 46, Massachusetts 40; Nov. 26, 2016 |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts | Hawai'i | Mountain West |
| Live Statistics | Sidearm Stats |
| Listen (Online) | 560 AM WHYN | TuneIn Radio App (Josh Maurer, Peter Brock & Matt Goldstein) |
| Listen (Radio) | 560 AM WHYN (Western Massachusetts/Springfield), 95.5 FM (South Shore), 830 AM (WCRN) |
| Watch | Eleven Sports Network, NESNplus, UMassAthletics.com (Eric Frede & Andy Gresh) |
| Team Information | Record Books: Massachusetts | Hawai'i || Game Notes: Massachusetts | Hawai'i | Mountain West |
| @UMassFootball | @UMassAthletics | @CoachWhipUMass | |
| UMass Football | UMass Athletics | |
| Special Events | Youth Sports Day at McGuirk Stadium | Honorary Captain: Larry Smith |
Breneman's 2016 By-The-Numbers
Adam Breneman emerged as one of the most productive tight ends in FBS during the 2016 season to the tune of team-leading numbers for receptions (70), receiving yards (808) and touchdown receptions (8).
In the final six weeks of the year, Breneman pulled in 42 receptions (7.0 per game) for 512 yards (85.3) and six touchdowns during play vs. Louisiana Tech (7-94-0), South Carolina (9-94-2), Wagner (8-138-2), Troy (6-77-1), BYU (8-79-0) and Hawai'i (4-30-1).
He finished the year ranking among the top two tight ends in the nations in a multitude of categories, including receptions (1st; 70), receptions per game (2nd; 5.8), receiving yards (2nd; 808), receiving yards per game (2nd; 67.3), touchdown receptions (2nd; 8).
The Fastest 1,000
Marquis Young reached 1,000 career rushing yards in only 13 games played, which ranks Young among the quickest Minutemen to 1,000 yards in recent team history. The last to reach the plateau faster was Steve Baylark, who did it in 11 games as a freshman in 2003. RJ Cobbs (2001-05) also accomplished it in 11 games, as did Rene Ingoglia (1992-95). Young begins his junior season with 1,858 career rushing yards over 349 carries, including 11 for touchdowns. He is nearing the 10th-place spot on the UMass career rushing yards list (John Johnson; 2,054; 1990-93).
Isabella's Breakout Sophomore Season
Andy Isabella ranked as the team's No. 1 threat at wide receiver as a sophomore in 2016 after he saw limited action at the spot during his true freshman season. He led all UMass wide receivers in receptions (62), receiving yards (801), receptions per game (5.2), receiving yards per game (66.8) and touchdown receptions (7). Among Minutemen, he only ranked behind John Mackey Award Semifinalist tight end Adam Breneman (70-808-8).
Gigantically Slim & Trim
Ray Thomas-Ishman, Sr., stands 6-foot-5, 350 pounds entering his sophomore season. One year ago, as a true-freshman starter, Thomas weighed in at 392 pounds while holding down the left guard spot for 11 of his 12 appearances. Thomas started at left tackle in one appearance during 2016, at Old Dominion, his slated full-time placement on the line in 2017. Despite losing 42 pounds, Thomas is still the largest offensive lineman on the team by 20 pounds (Derek Dumais).
Stops In The Middle
Then-redshirt junior inside linebacker Steve Casali led the Minutemen with 105 tackles during the 2016 season, split between 47 solo and 58 assisted tackles. His breakout 2016 season came after Casali totaled 40 tackles over the 2013-15 seasons. He posted 32 tackles more than the next Minuteman (Jesse Monteiro; 73).
Casali, who also had eight pass breakups, 6.0 TFLs, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble, earned recognition of his 2016 season with a spot on the 2017 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
Taking The Long Route
Hybrid defensive end edge rusher and linebacker Da'Sean Downey had a team-leading four forced fumbles during 2016, also tied for the 10th-most created across NCAA Division I over the course of the season nationally. Downey also posted team-bests of 8.5 TFLs and 6.0 sacks among his 48 total tackles.
Deploying The Fourth Down Football Mortar
Through his second season as the primary punter in 2016, Logan Laurent already ranks among the best performing specialists in UMass football history with the career punt average and single-game punt yard records.
Over 125 career punts entering the season-opener against Hawai'i, Laurent averages 41.94 yards per attempt. Brett Arnold ranks second at 41.35 yards per attempt (97-4270; 2007-08).
Laurent's most active day came in the #BattleoftheBayState against Boston College with 12 punts covering a program-record 547 yards (45.6 per attempt). Laurent dropped four of his punts inside the Eagles' 20 yard line while four traveled at least 50 yards. He has averaged at least 41.0 yards per punt attempt in eight of the 12 games this season.
Rodgers Runs it Out
Isaiah Rodgers finished his true freshman season in 2016 with the fifth-most kick return yards in one campaign in program history, with 733 over 31 returns (23.6). Rodgers set the team record for kick returns in one game with nine against Mississippi State on Sept. 24, 2016. He also etched his name in the record book for the fifth-most returns and ninth-highest yards per return average in a single-season in program history.
Whipple Approaches All-Time Wins Record
Head coach Mark Whipple is three wins away from moving into first all-time in UMass history for career victories. Whipple owns 57 triumphs over his two tenures as the program's leader (1998- 2003; '14-present).
Vic Fusia (1961-70) currently ranks 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.
