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UMass Opens CAA Play Vs. Rhode Island On CSN
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#17/17 UMASS (1-1) vs. RHODE ISLAND (1-0)
UMass Opens CAA Play Vs. Rhode Island On Comcast • UMass' defense has been stout all season. The Minutemen have not allowed a point in the first, third or fourth quarters (51-0). They have pitched a shutout in the second half, outscoring foes 38-0. Dating to last season, UMass has not allowed a point in the second half for a span of 97:46, spanning four games. With the great success on defense, UMass has forced eight turnovers, tied for fourth-most in the NCAA FCS. • The Minutemen have racked up 15 tackles for a loss this season in two games with senior defensive end Michael Hanson leading the way with 3.5. New cornerback Ke'Mon Bailey has 3.0 TFLs in his first action on the defensive side of the ball. True sophomore linebacker Tyler Holmes leads all tacklers with 20 stops to rank fourth in the CAA with 10.0 per game. Holmes also has two interceptions this season and has one pick-off in each of the last three games dating to last season. Senior captain Jeromy Miles has 15 tackles. • On offense, Walter Payton Award candidate Tony Nelson has rushed for 184 yards in two games including 107 at FBS Kansas State (9/5). Victor Cruz is second in the CAA with 165 receiving yards. Kyle Havens has hit 10 different receivers in two games this year.
Broadcast Information
Upcoming Promotions • For tickets to all games, call 1-866-UMASS-TIX or buy them online at UMassAthletics.com.
UMass-Rhode Island Series History • The Minutemen have won 18 of the last 23 meetings between the two schools, including 10 of the last 12 games. UMass has won the last eight games in Amherst, winning 41-16 on Oct. 21, 2006 and 14-6 and three years ago on Sept. 24, 2005. • The teams have played at Rhode Island in each of the last two years after two years at UMass. The Minutemen pounded the Rams, 49-0 last season after suffering a 12-6 loss in 2007. The win last year ended a two-game win streak for the Rams at Meade Stadium. They also won 27-24 in 2004. • The series with Rhode Island is the most played one in UMass history as the teams have met 83 times. Next on the list is UConn, as the Minutemen and Huskies played 71 times from 1897-1999. • UMass' 46 wins are the most against any team as well. The second most wins are against, New Hampshire, as UMass is 42-26-3 against the Wildcats. • At McGuirk Stadium, UMass is 16-6 vs. the Rams. Overall in Amherst, the Minutemen (and Redmen) are 24-18-2 in the series. UMass has won eight straight games vs. Rhode Island at McGuirk, last falling in 1991, 17-14 . At Meade Stadium, UMass is 20-17 overall and 22-17 in games played at Rhode Island. Prior to that Rhode Island win in 2004, UMass won three in a row in Kingston. • This game pits head coaches in their first conference game as Kevin Morris and his Minutemen take on the Rams led by Joe Trainer.
Connections Of Note Between UMass/Rhode Island • For the first time in five years, one of the greatest football players out of the state of Rhode Island will not be in uniform for UMass. All-time passing leader Liam Coen, a native of Newport, R.I., graduated in 2008 after setting every career passing record in UMass history. He was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the Ocean State's history passing for 5,335 yards and 66 touchdowns in his prep career playing for his father Tim at LaSalle Academy. • Rhode Island receiver and punter Shawn Leonard is the brother of 2007 UMass grad Jason Leonard, who was a defensive tackle and long snapper. • UMass centers and guards coach Guido Falbo is in his sixth season with the Minutemen after two years as Rhode Island's wide receivers coach (2002-03). McGuirk Magic • Since the start of the 1998 season, the Minutemen have gone 54-13 (.806) at home over the last 11 years, improving their all-time record at McGuirk to 162-74-2 (.686). UMass went 6-0 at home in 2007 after going a perfect 8-0 at home in 2006, setting the school-record for best record at home. They were also undefeated at home in 2003. • Since 1992, UMass has had a losing record at home only once, while posting a home mark of 73-25 (.744) during that span. UMass has won 23 of its last 26 games at home and is 29-5 dating to 2003.
UMass Football History Thumbnail • UMass has the winningest program in the CAA over the last decade, since 1998. UMass has a 81-43 record with a 65.4 win percentage. • The Minutemen have won 22 conference championships the last two coming in 2007 and 2008. All-time UMass has eight NCAA Tournament appearances winning the 1998 title and also playing in the championship game in 2006 and 1978. • UMass has been ranked in the FCS Top 25 for 56 of the last 57 weeks. The last regular-season week of 2008 marked the first time since the first week of the 2005 season that UMass was not ranked. The Minutemen were just one of five programs in the nation to have been ranked every week since that point (Montana, New Hampshire, Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois). UMass Dominating FCS & CAA Foes • Overall since the 2006 opener, UMass is 31-11 overall, with four losses to FBS teams (Navy, Boston College, Texas Tech and Kansas State). • The Minutemen are 19-5 in conference games over the last three seasons. The Minutemen finished at 7-1 in the CAA in 2007 and were undefeated in league in 13 games in a row prior to a loss to Rhode Island on Nov. 3, 2007. UMass went 8-0 in conference in 2006 (becoming the first undefeated team in league since Villanova in 1997).
Under The Lights • UMass is a perfect 6-0 in night games, all starting after 5 p.m. at McGuirk Stadium. The Minutemen will host one more night game this season on Sept. 26 against Stony Brook, at 6 p.m. • UMass played four night games under temporary lights at McGuirk and won all four games. The first game under the lights came in the 2000 opener, a 36-16 win over William & Mary on Aug. 31. That game was also the only other football game in UMass history played in August. • The Minutemen played the 2004 home opener under the lights a 30-20 win on Sept. 11, 2004. UMass played two home games under the lights in 2005, beating Albany, 40-0 on Sept. 17 and Rhode Island, 14-6 on Sept. 24. • Lights were also installed for the 2006 NCAA I-AA Playoffs for UMass' 24-17 win over New Hampshire on Dec. 2. That game kicked off at 2:30 p.m. and the lights did not take effect until the second half of the game. This game technically by NCAA rules doesn't count as a night game.
For Openers • With the 44 points in this season's opener, UMass had its most points in a home opener since 2003, when the Minutemen crushed Central Connecticut, 51-7.
UMass Turns To Havens • Havens was named the starter on Aug. 29 after competing with senior Scott Woodward and sophomore Octavious Hawkins. • Havens had a great game in his home debut against Albany (9/12) as he threw for 284 yards on 20-of-32 with two touchdowns. Havens hit Victor Cruz for two scores including a 67-yard bomb. In his debut Havens threw for 102 yards with a touchdown to Andrew Krevis. • Havens was a star quarterback at Diablo Valley College in California for the past two seasons as he was named to the NorCal All-Conference team. Havens was named an Academic All-American after throwing for 301.7 yards per game along with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year. His team averaged 425 yards of offense per game and 36 points per game. He was ranked by Scout.com as the 18th-best junior college quarterback prospect in the nation.
Nelson Carries The Load Again • Nelson has moved to sixth in career rushing yards with 2,230 yards entering the Rhode Island game. He passed Jerome Bledsoe (2,216) with 77 yards against Albany (9/12). He passed Kevin Smellie (2,148) at Kansas State with his 107. With another 1,000-yard season, we could move to No. 5 on the all-time list. Nelson is also 12th in career rushing touchdowns with 17 (one this season). • In the opener at Kansas State (9/5), Nelson became the first UMass back to gain 100 yards against a I-A/FBS team in 10 years with 107 yards on the Wildcats' defense. Back in 1999, Marcel Shipp gained 111 at Toledo. It was also his eighth-career 100-yard game at UMass. • Nelson is a preseason All-CAA pick in addition to being a College Sporting News Third Team Preseason All-American. • Nelson gained 110.4 yards per game last season including seven career 100-yard games. He finished last season with a career-high 204 yards against Hofstra (11/22/08). That was his sixth 100-yard game as a junior.
Ducasse Leads O-Line Of Protection • Last season with Ducasse as the anchor, UMass was second in the FCS in fewest sacks allowed with just six in 12 games (0.50 per game). The Minutemen led the CAA in fewest sacks allowed, marking the fourth year in a row that UMass was a the top of the league in fewest sacks allowed. • With giving up six sacks in 12 games last season and two sacks this season, UMass has allowed just 61 sacks in 63 games since 2004. • In Ducasse's 26 games over the last four seasons, UMass has allowed only 23 sacks and UMass has had a 100-yard rusher in 17 of those 26 games. Nelson gained 100 yards in six of 12 games last season. He gained 107 at Kansas State (9/5) in the opener. • A 2008 All-American, Ducasse is a preseason All-CAA First Team and First-Team All-American by nearly every outlet. • Ducasse will be flanked several returning players in junior center John Ihne along with sophomores Josh Samuda and Brian Ostaszewski. Senior Jared Chivers has added stability with his versatility playing guard and center this season.
Dynamic Receivers Flying High • UMass returns two of the top wideouts in the nation in All-American Victor Cruz and All-conference pick Jeremy Horne. A year after questions surrounded an inexperienced receiver corps, UMass has one of the most experienced groups in the nation with its top four wideouts returning. Along with Cruz and Horne, senior Joe Sanford and sophomore Julian Talley give UMass a very talented and dynamic bunch. • Cruz and Talley each have eight catches this season to top the UMass charts. Overall, UMass has had 10 different players make a reception this season. • Cruz had his fourth-career 100-yard game against Albany (9/12) with 121 yards on six catches and two touchdowns. With his 1,233 career receiving yards, Cruz has moved to 12th all-time at UMass. No. 11 on the list is DeShon Hardy with 1,359. • Talley had career-highs of five catches and 86 yards in the win over Albany (9/12). Sanford has three catches for 31 yards while Horne has two catches for 17 yards. • Cruz finished 2008 with 1,064 yards on 71 catches and was named a First-Team All-CAA selection. He became the sixth 1,000-yard receiver in UMass history. His marks for yards and catches ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in UMass single-season history. Cruz had the greatest day for a UMass receiver all-time with 13 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns at James Madison in his third game as a starter last year. • Horne was a third-team CAA selection last season with 50 catches for 895 yards and a team-best eight receiving touchdowns. He finished third in the CAA in catches and compiled four 100-yard games. • Talley, who was a CAA Rookie of the Week selection in September, made 18 catches for 234 yards. Sanford, a former quarterback, hauled in 20 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown.
Captain Miles Heads Defensive Corps • As the starting free safety, Miles led UMass in tackles last season with 104 stops. He also intercepted three passes, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles. Miles was an All-CAA First-Team selection and led all league defensive backs with 8.7 tackles per game. He also led the team with 56 solo stops including five TFLs. • He is second on the team with 15 tackles this season along with an interception and forced fumble Miles opened the season with eight tackles at Kansas State (9/5). • The secondary has received contributions from various players this season including senior Corey Davis, sophomore Shane Viveiros, junior Ke'Mon Bailey and redshirt freshman Kumar Davis. • The rover has been manned by Viveiros, who grew from a walk-on into a starter in just two seasons. Viveiros racked up 36 tackles in 2008, drawing several starts late in the season. In the opener at K-State (9/5), Viveiros racked up eight tackles and three pass break-ups. • The secondary also received a boost from the converted wide receiver Bailey, who had six tackles, three for a loss, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in his first-ever game on the defensive side of the ball at K-State (9/5). Overall, he has 10 tackles to rank third among defensive backs. • In his first season of action Kumar Davis has 11 tackles, second among DBs including seven at Kansas State (9/5) and four against Albany (9/12) in his first-career start.
Experienced Defensive Line Creates Chaos • Hanson leads UMass with 3.5 TFLs and has racked up 13 tackles in just two games. In the opener at Kansas State (9/5), Hanson returned to his form of two years ago with seven tackles including 1.5 TFLs and a 13-yard sack. He also recovered a fumble and returned it eight yards. • Harrington has 10 tackles this season after being the line's top tackler in 2008 with 56 stops, which is the third most among, all returning defensive players. The 6-3, 285-pound Salem, Mass., native also had 2.5 sacks. Collier, a 2007 All-CAA selection, racked up 36 tackles last season after posting a career-best 62 as a sophomore. Hanson, also mired with injuries last season, had 33 stops last year after a break-out sophomore campaign with 61 tackles. Hanson was second in the CAA in 2007 with 16 TFLs to go along with seven sacks. He will look to return to that form in his senior campaign. • Junior Bob McLaughlin is also pressing for a starting job after earning four nods last season. McLaughlin had 20 tackles in 2008. Redshirt freshman Chas Thompson and sophomore Courtney Jackson will be key players to watch, as each is expected to emerge this season.
Linebackers Seek To Back It Up • True sophomore Tyler Holmes continues to show his amazing ability as he leads UMass with 20 tackles (10.0 per game) and two interceptions (one in each game). He piled up 12 tackles and his second career interception at Kansas State (9/5). He then tallied eight tackles and an interception for the third game in a row against Albany (9/12). • Senior Kurt Filler drew his first start with the Minutemen and racked up nine tackles and 1.5 TFLs at Kansas State (9/5). He also had six tackles against Albany (9/12). The junior college transfer saw just limited action last season. • Redshirt freshman D.J. Adeoba was stellar in his first college game with seven tackles and a return of a block punt for a 26-yard touchdown. He was named the CAA Rookie of the Week for his performance. He was also was named to the Boston Herald's Honor Roll as the top defensive player in New England. • Senior Eric Dickson returned to action in the home opener against Albany and began his season with a bang. He racked up a team-best nine tackles and a 7-yard sack. It was Dickson's first-career start and first-career game at linebacker. • Heading into the season, UMass was thought to be returning several top players at linebacker. But injuries have played a role in some players missing time including All-CAA First-Team linebacker Josh Jennings. Syracuse transfer Mike Mele, was also pressing for time, but missed the opener at Kansas State with an ailment. • Dickson made 31 stops in 2008 as an edge blitzer from the secondary while Filler made 18 stops. Mele is expected to make an immediate impact after playing two seasons with the Orange, playing against Big East competition. Mele was third on Syracuse in tackles with 72, starting all 12 games a year ago. Big things are also expected from Holmes, who started the season finale last year and piled up 10 tackles and an interception against Hofstra.
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