UMass simply out of sync
Whipple aims to limit gaffes by Minutemen
N.E. FOOTBALL
There wasn’t much for UMass coach Mark Whipple to say in the wake of Saturday’s disheartening 38-28 loss at Coastal Carolina.
The Minutemen (0-2) were expecting a better result after an encouraging performance a week earlier in a narrow home loss to Hawaii.
Instead, UMass simply did not play well, according to the coaching staff.
The loss could take on a more ominous tone because ace tight end Adam Breneman, who led all receivers with nine catches for 126 yards, left the game in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. His status is unclear for this Saturday’s game against Old Dominion in Amherst.
“We didn’t play well. We were out of sync on both sides. We just didn’t make plays on both sides,” said Whipple. “We have to make plays at crucial times. That’s what’s disappointing. We have to play better and we have to coach them better.”
Mistakes proved costly for the 0-2 Minutemen.
“We turned the ball over early in the first quarter and they took advantage of it. We missed a field goal. We stopped them on third down and then we facemask a guy,” Whipple said. “We didn’t make any plays.”
Redshirt junior Andrew Ford completed 25-of-41 passes for 316 yards and a touchdown. Before his injury, Breneman went past 1,000 career receiving yards. Junior Andy Isabella caught six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Junior Marquis Young was held to 40 rushing yards on 12 carries but did score twice on short runs.
The UMass defense, led once again by linebacker Bryton Barr (11 tackles) and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (seven tackles) held the Chanticleers to 1-of-11 conversions on third downs, which is good enough to win on most days. This time, it wasn’t. Coastal Carolina, although outgained, 441-to-401, in total offense, matched UMass in average yards per play with 6.2.
“Now we have to go get ready for Old Dominion,” said Whipple.
Foltz climbs charts
Stonehill belted host Bloomsburg University, 4428, as senior quarterback Matt Foltz, who grew up nearby in Mount Joy, Pa., became just the second Skyhawks QB to pass for more than 5,000 career yards.
On Saturday, Foltz completed 22-of-35 passes for 275 yards and three scores and ran for another. Foltz currently is at 5,117 passing yards and trails only Logan Meyer (2010-2013) with 6,927 in the university’s exclusive club.
Fleeting glory in end
Western Connecticut senior quarterback Quinn Fleeting was sharp in leading the Colonials back from a 28-0 deficit to earn a 48-47 victory over Hartwick, connecting on 32-of49 attempts for 375 yards and five touchdowns. He had to be good on this day because Hartwick senior Bill Pine threw for 539 yards and seven touchdowns . . . .
Springfield
handed Western New England its first regular-season loss in 22 games and first at home since 2013. Junior defensive back Marlowe Scott of Dorchester had an interception for the Pride in the 35-21 win . . . .
Turnovers proved UMass-Dartmouth’s undoing in a 12-10 loss to Mount Ida, but senior linebacker Marvey Mathurin of Woburn made 12 tackles to reach 200 for his career.
The Wright stuff
Framingham State coach Tom Kelley described 5-foot-6 junior Quron Wright of Worcester as “dynamic” and the running back certainly proved it in a 41-10 win against Endicott. Wright ran 22 times for 169 yards, including a 55-yard scoring scamper . . . .
Bridgewater State was nipped, 20-19, by host Buffalo State, but Bears senior linebacker Charlie McMarthy of North Reading wrapped up 13 tackles . . . .
Nichols outlasted Westfield, 19-13, with senior captain Brett McEvoy of Wrentham posting 15 tackles, a sack, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble.