Pre Game Noise

I thought I'd post a few links out there.

UMass renews rivalry at Colgate

"We feel like we can run the football, and that is what we are going to try to do," Day said. "We'll go over the top like we do every game. They've got a good defense, but we feel that we can exploit them in a few different ways."

Wide receiver R.J. Cobbs caught two passes last week in his return to the offensive side of the ball, and he sees things the same way.

"They're going to try to stop Baylark, but we're going to do our best job to block and open up some holes for him," Cobbs said. "We're going to try to attack deep on their corners. We've just got to pound the ball with Baylark to open up deep with play action."

RB depth suddenly an issue

It didn't take long for a perceived strength turn into a potential weakness for the University of Massachusetts football team.

UMass supporters were more than a little anxious when the offense was down to its third running back in the first half of the team's 19-6 win over Richmond in the opener.

Backup Matt Lawrence went down in the first offensive series for the Minutemen, twisting an ankle after a nine-yard gain that helped put UMass up 3-0.

Starter Steve Baylark was struggling with the heat and had banged up a knee, forcing coach Don Brown to use senior Raunny Rosario, the only other tailback on the travel roster.

Minutemen motivated in Return to Colgate

Scars may heal, but they always leave some type of mark. For the Massachusetts football team, the scar left behind on Nov. 29, 2003 was the result of a deep penetrating wound, when the Minutemen were ousted out of the first round of the NCAA playoffs by Colgate. The setting was one that could have been taken from a Hollywood film.

Gusts of wind and falling snow overtook Andy Kerr Stadium as the Minutemen fell to the Red Raiders on an ice-coated field.

Over a year later, UMass will approach that very field, the first time since the playoff decision. The climate will be warmer and it will not be snowing, but with the loss in 2003 in the back of their minds, the team will look to take advantage of the opportunity for redemption.

So in summary, UMass is ready for the game, thinks they can exploit us and go deep, may have a running back depth issue and are still looking for redemption from 2003. Two seasons ago UMass? Please. Both teams are very different than in 2003. This is a brand new season. I can't believe they're still talking about 2003.

Boy, I'd love to give them some more things to talk about Saturday. Time for the HooDoo to make an appearance!