UMass-Bryant Primer
What to watch for in today's UMass-Bryant game
UMass has a chance to get in the winning column today when the Minutemen return to McGuirk Alumni Stadium to face Bryant at 3:30.
Here’s our version of a Gameday Guide for you.
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN+
Radio: WHMP 101.5/Varsity App
WHEN UMASS HAS THE BALL
What We Know
The Minutemen have legitimate offensive skill talent. That was one thing that was clear in the opening loss against Temple.
Rocko Griffin rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. He scored the game’s first touchdown from 18 yards out and also set the Minutemen up for what should have been another when he busted a 41-yard run in the second quarter. He should be featured even more today.
Jacquon Gibson had a career day at receiver, catching 12 passes for 132 yards, including a 39-yard catch-and-run when he made one defender miss and threw another to the ground with a stiff arm. Fellow receiver T.Y. Harding didn’t appear in the second half after injuring his shoulder, but managed to catch four balls for 30 yards in the first half. Head coach Joe Harasymiak said he anticipates Harding being available against Temple.
What We Think
We think quarterback Brandon Rose will bounce back from last week’s loss. Rose had a shaky start against Temple and turned the ball over twice, which made it difficult to appreciate the promise he actually showed.
He was clearly off on the opening drive, he was falling back on some throws and flat missing others. But as the game progressed, Rose started making the throws he was brought to Amherst to make. He finished 23-for-38 for 193 yards, but his most impactful plays were a fumble following a 10-yard run in the second quarter and an interception on his first drive of the third.
While he looked quite sharp beyond those two plays and the first drive, for a program that wants to be defined by protecting the ball, his performance is defined by the two plays when he did not do that.
We expect Rose to come out much more comfortable from the start against Bryant and to be more careful with the ball this week, almost to a fault.
What We Want To Find Out
Will the offense be able to add another tool to its bag?
Whether it’s a third reliable pass-catcher, a second back or an overall power running game, we’d like to see the Minutemen develop another piece beyond Griffin, Gibson and Harding.
We’ll be keeping our eyes on Brandon Hood and Juwaun Price to get involved behind Griffin at running back and for Jake McConnachie, Tyree Kelly, Donnie Gray and Kenyon Massey to show they can step up when defenses shade toward Gibson and Harding.
WHEN BRYANT HAS THE BALL
What We Know
UMass will have the advantage on the outside with cornerbacks TJ Magee and Malcolm Greene, although they will be tested.
Bryant isn’t your typical FCS team in terms of size and 6-foot-3, 196-pound receiver Aldrich Doe managed five catches for 54 yards in the Bulldogs’ 19-3 loss to New Mexico State last week.
Still, Magee and Greene were among the lone bright spots on defense for the Minutemen last week and we expect them to keep Bryant’s passing game in check on the outside.
What We Think
We think the Minutemen will be able to hold up on the line, although again, Bryant has legit size. The Bulldogs’ starting o-line goes 6-7/340, 6-5/301, 6-5/305, 6-4/314 and 6-6/300 across, so don’t expect UMass to come out and simply push them around.
Still, Bryant managed less than 70 total rushing yards in the tight game against New Mexico State, so the Minutemen shouldn’t get gashed on the ground.
What We Want To Find Out
How do the linebackers and safeties bounce back?
No way around it, the Temple game was a rough look for the UMass safeties and linebackers. The miscommunication was bad and the inability to stay with receivers when there wasn’t miscommunication was even worse.
It sounds like UMass will be without safety Zeraun Daniel, who left last week’s game with an injury. But the Minutemen have had all week to prepare for his loss, so there’s no reason communication should be an issue this week.
Bryant running backs caught just three passes for a total of -3 yards last week, but if the Bulldogs watched UMass’ film from the Temple game, they’d be wise to increase that total this week.
WHEN THE BALL IS KICKED
What We Know
Based on what we saw during the preseason, we knew UMass kicker Derek Morris and punter Keegan would be reliable additions and they proved exactly that against Temple.
Morris drilled his only field goal attempt from 40 yards out while Andrews averaged 57 yards on four punts, landing three inside the 20 and two inside the 10.
Both should continue to be real weapons for the Minutemen.
What We Think
The Minutemen need to be able to generate some sort of big plays in the return game. With Gibson establishing himself as somebody worthy of receiving a WR1 target share, UMass should feel even more comfortable pushing Harding to challenge himself to make plays as a returner.
What We Want To Find Out
When will the first blocked kick come?
It almost came right out of the gate in the opener. It seems like just a matter of when.
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