UMass QB AJ Hairston Gets His Shot vs. Missouri
UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak named AJ Hairston the starter for Saturday night's game against the Tigers.
After leaving the Bryant game with an injury and missing the Iowa game entirely, UMass quarterback Brandon Rose remains Questionable heading into Saturday night’s game at Missouri.
But there is no question about who is going to start for the Minutemen in Columbia.
“AJ Hairston will get the start this week,” UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak announced on Monday. “I think he deserves it.”
Hairston has looked sharp in limited action so far this year, completing three of four passes for 28 yards against Bryant and four of eight throws for 56 yards against Iowa.
Harasymiak also praised Hairston’s attitude since Rose was named as the team’s starter weeks before the season-opener.
“He’s done a great job since that decision was made in camp, kept pushing forward, has been better with his preparation,” said Hairston. “I’m looking forward to him getting his chance, getting his start and moving forward.
“But it’s because he put the right things in and the right work over that time period and I’m excited for him. So he’ll get the start this week and see how he does.”
When Rose went down against Bryant, quarterback Grant Jordan was the first in and Jordan started the game against Iowa as well. Both Jordan and Rose bring the athleticism to avoid the pass rush and extend plays while Hairston has more upside as a passer.
“They’re all different,” Harasymiak said. “Obviously, AJ’s arm talent is what you want, right? It’s superb. And now it’s just him taking charge of the offense, the huddle, all those kinds of things that he’s had growth in and there’s been growth the whole preseason, even since we’ve been here since spring.
“I’m excited. Like I said, I’m very excited for him to get this opportunity, but certainly his arm talent is A #1.”
Harasymiak also pointed to Harasymiak’s decision-making in recent weeks.
“That will be critical this week,” the coach said. “Their defense is creating havoc at all levels, but I think decision-making and putting himself in position to use that arm talent.”
Harasymiak said the UMass staff had discussed and evaluated over the bye week before informing Hairston, Jordan and Rose of the decision on Sunday.
Harasymiak acknowledged the gameplan offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian puts together for Hairston may be a little different from what he’s built for Rose and Jordan.
“It’s not that AJ can’t create the second play - it’s just that’s what those guys feel more comfortable doing it,” Harasymiak said. “They just have some more ability there. But those guys obviously don’t really have the elite arm talent that AJ has.”
Either way, Hairston will have his work cut for him against the Missouri defense and defensive ends Damon Wilson and Zion Young.
“We’ll put it together for him and then ultimately I think you’ll see he’s going to have to create something because their two d-ends are havoc-creators and that’s really what their defense has been doing here,” said Harasymiak. “So he’s going to have an opportunity to create the second play. Certainly, I think things that we do and what we ask him to do, we have to put him in the best position possible.
“Hopefully we can do that and put him in the position to just let him go play. Hopefully we can create some momentum early too. Get him some throws and get him some plays that make him feel more comfortable.”
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