AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts football team returns to McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday, September 21st to host Central Connecticut State for Homecoming Weekend, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
SERIES HISTORY
In a series dating back to 2002, Massachusetts and Central Connecticut State have met three times, with the Minutemen holding a record of 3-0 in the series. All three victories have come at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, including wins in 2002, 2003 and 2011.
Massachusetts’ last win in the series came in their last meeting on Oct. 8, 2011, when the Minutemen posted a 42-26 victory over the Blue Devils. Redshirt freshman Brandon Hill threw for 169 yards, including one touchdown, and had no interceptions in the Minutemen’s win. Tailback Jonathan Hernandez led UMass’ ground attack with 20 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
In the UMass record book, free safety Darren Thellen set a game record for most interception yards in a game in the 2011 win, with 128 yards on two interceptions and a touchdown return in the win over Central Connecticut.
FAST HITS
The Minutemen are one of 31 FBS teams without a lost fumble this season.
Against Buffalo last Saturday, UMass had its first turnover of the season when Louce Julien hit the ball on a strip sack and Craig of Derryon made the recovery. It was the first sack of his career for Julien (six yards loss), while Craig recorded the first fumble recovery of his career.
In No. 97 Jacquon Gibson (4.3) has made it into the top 100 in the FBS rankings for most catches per game. This mark is also good enough for third place in the independent rankings (Notre Dame, UConn, UMass, Oregon State and Washington State).
UMass played in Buffalo without regular players Anthony Simpson (WR), Dominick Mazotti (TE), Luke Painton (OL) and Aaron Beckwith (DL), as well as possible starter Shambre Jackson (DL), due to injury.
POWER FOUR TRANSFERS FOR 2024
Massachusetts has added 14 transfers to the program who have Power Four experience:
Owen Anderson – Washington, DC area
Brandon Campbell – Houston/USC area
Sterling Galban – Texas Tech
Mao Glynn II – Cincinnati Region, United States of America
Jaylen Hudson – London Region, United Kingdom
Frank Ladson Jr. – Miami/Clemson
Jaelyn Lay – Clemson County
Jacob Lurie – Vanderbilt
Brandon McElroy – State of Arizona
Ethnos Reuben – Georgia Tech/Clemson
Brayden Rohme – California
Benjamin Roy Jr. – University of California
Sam Staruch – Michigan\
Paul Tchio – Georgia Tech/Clemson
Other players on the 2024 roster who previously came from the Power Four include:
Ryan Barnes – Notre-Dame
John Burton – Arizona
Richard Edwards – Arizona
Jalen Harrell – Miami
Zukudo Igwenagu – Rutgers
Shambre Jackson – State of Florida
John – Arizona
Steven Ortiz – Arizona/Minnesota
Taisun Phommachanh – Clemson/Georgia Tech
Tyler Martin – Arizona
Tyler Rudolph – State of Pennsylvania
Isaiah Rutherford – Notre-Dame
Anthony Simpson – Arizona
Matt Smith – Duke
Tyson Watson – State of Michigan
Jermaine Wiggins Jr. – Arizona
CONTROLLING THE CLOCK
Massachusetts ranks second in the FBS in terms of time of possession (109:48), only the also independent state Oregon State (111:28) is better.
Oregon State (37:09) and UMass (36:36) also rank 1st and 2nd in average time of possession per game.
MINUTEMEN IN THE NFL
Former cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2016-19) signed with the Eagles after three seasons in Indianapolis.
Former running back Ellis Merriweather (2020-22) was promoted from the practice squad to the Packers’ active roster prior to the season opener against the Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil. It was his first regular season game on an active NFL roster, but he did not appear in the contest.
Former long snapper Evan Deckers (2018-21) won the job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in training camp and made his season debut in the first week.
Former offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson (2013-16) is on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.
There are also many former Minutemen among the NFL coaches, including Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Cohen (2004-2008) and Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen (1986-1989).
RECEPTION OPTIONS
Wide receivers Jakobie Keeney-James (GS) and Jacquon Gibson (R-So.) played for the Minutemen and had the best day of his career in the loss in Toledo.
Keeney-James caught six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, his first as a Minuteman and fifth of his career. His six catches set a career high.
Gibson caught six passes for a career-high 72 yards and also caught a 39-yard pass in the second quarter, the previous high (the previous high was a 29-yard catch against Arkansas State on Nov. 11, 2022).
Boys with graduation
32 Minutemen begin the season with a bachelor’s degree. Seven of the 32 have degrees from UMass, including Josh Atwood, Ethan Mottinger, Aaron Beckwith, Zukudo Igwenagu, Te’Rai Powell, Tyler Rudolph And Michael Turner.
Other players with bachelor’s degrees include Will Jones, Luke Painton, Brayden Rohme, Paul Tchio, Sterling Galban, Jakobie Keeney-JamesFrank Ladson, Sam StaruchDom Mazotti, Jaelyn Lay, Matt Smith, Taisun PhommachanhBen Roy, Tim Grant Randall, Brandon McElroy, Jaylen Hudson, Ethnos Reuben, Macklin Ayers, Leonard St. Gourdin, John Burton, Lake Ellis, Arsheen Jilles, Isaiah RutherfordJay Watkins and Jacob Lurie.
COACHING AT THE ALMA MATER
UMass will employ two graduates in full-time coaching roles in 2024, including assistant head coach/special teams coordinator/defensive line coach, Ben Albert, and Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach, Alex Miller.
Albert graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1995 and was an all-conference defensive lineman. He served as inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, helping the Minutemen win the 2003 Atlantic 10 Conference championship.
Miller developed into one of the most celebrated offensive linemen during his playing days in Massachusetts. His four years as a starter on the line culminated in multiple first-team All-America honors following the team’s appearance in the 2006 National Championship Game. Miller cemented his reputation as the Minutemen’s durable and reliable center by starting all 50 games during the 2003-06 season.
Another member of the coaching staff earned a degree from UMass in Graduate Assistant Garrett Dzuro ’23.
