Fly-by-Knight operation
New Hampshire is much better with star QB back
Sometimes mental frustration can be worse than any physical discomfort.
Consider the football program at New Hampshire, which began the season with an eye toward extending its NCAA record for consecutive playoff appearances currently at 14.
But a bump in the road surfaced when ace quarterback Trevor Knight suffered a shoulder injury before halftime of the season-opening loss to rival Maine and UNH fortunes spiraled downward with his absence. After a loss in their second game against Colgate, the Wildcats’ schedule grew appreciably tougher with road tilts at FBS entry Colorado and powerful Elon.
Coach Sean McDonnell never wavered in a belief better days were on the way.
“I saw a little bit of progress,” McDonnell said after a 30-9 loss at Elon left the Wildcats at 0-4. “Not enough. It’s never enough. It’s never enough because you have to get better and that’s the main idea.
“I know we’re good enough to get to that spot and I know our kids are good enough. We’ve just got to find a way to get to that spot.”
McDonnell’s faith and Knight’s return from his injury, paid dividends in Saturday’s 28-0 win over rebuilding Holy Cross. Knight pitched four touchdown passes as UNH posted its first regularseason shutout since 2010.
Knight finished 22-of-38 passing for 237 yards with the four scores and one interception as UNH produced a season-high 439 yards of offense.
Senior Neil O’Connor of Leominster was a prime target with 10 catches for 108 yards.
Senior Kieran Presley of Amherst bolstered the cause with five receptions for 87 yards.
Isabella picks up speed
If Patriots fans are looking for the next slot receiver in the mold of Wes Welker or Julian Edelman, venture out to McGuirk Stadium in Amherst to watch UMass senior Andy Isabella.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Isabella warrants consideration as the region’s best college football player. He has sure hands, runs superb routes, and has displayed an ability to garner yards after catch. He’s no slouch in the speed department. The Mayfield, Ohio product had the nation’s fastest 60-yard dash time (6.72 seconds) while in high school in 2015.
Isabella had only one recruiting offer (Navy) coming out of Mayfield until another Ohio-bred prospect and current Minutemen teammate Marvin Patton tipped off UMass coach Mark Whipple about a speedy player worth watching.
In Saturday’s wild 58-42 shootout loss to undefeated South Florida (5-0), Isabella caught 13 passes for a game-high 191 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown. You can bet the NFL and CFL scouts on hand took note. Isabella, who ranks among the UMass career leaders in a variety of categories, has caught passes in 31 straight games. He also returns kickoffs and punts. He has averaged 9.0 rushing yards on 35 career carries, including a 42-yarder at Tennessee.
“(Isabella) really just makes plays. We can build our offense around him,” said UMass quarterback Andrew Ford.
Shampklin goes long way
Harvard fell 28-24 at Cornell but sophomore back Aaron Shampklin continued his fine season, rushing for a career-high 191 yards. He scored on a 47-yard run in the first quarter and leads the Crimson with five touch downs. Senior Justice Shelton Mosley moved to third all-time in career catches (148) and receiving yards (1,921) . . . .
Tufts (4-0) beat Bowdoin, 28-0, its first shutout win since blanking Colby, 7-0, in 2006. The Jumbos reached 500 yards total offense (271 rushing) for a second straight week . . . .
Framingham State defeated Fitchburg State, 26-7, behind two interceptions from senior cornerback Kenneth Bartolo of Malden.