UMass Still Deciding Between Three QBs For MAC Opener
Head coach Joe Harasymiak declined to name a starter at quarterback heading into this week's game vs. Western Michigan.
Everyone around UMass Football knew the quarterback battle going into the season was going to be fierce and competitive. What they didn’t know was that it would still be going on in early-October.
At head coach Joe Harasymiak’s Monday press conference, he said he hasn’t decided who the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Western Michigan will be.
“The decision hasn’t been made,” Harasymiak said. “I’ll keep that in house and make Western Michigan prepare for three guys. We’ll always make the decision that is best for the team and how we can win this week.”
Brandon Rose, Grant Jordan and AJ Hairston have all started games so far this season and each has had their own specific difficulties this season.
Harasymiak named Rose, a transfer from Utah, the starting quarterback before Week One against Temple. In that game, he threw for 193 yards, but also fumbled and had an interception. The following week, Rose threw just six passes before being forced out of the game with an injury. However, Harasymiak said he could be back this week depending on the rehab process.
Jordan was Rose’s replacement in Week Two. The Yale transfer added a bit more mobility to the game. Jordan has the ability to move out of the pocket when pressure comes, and he showed that multiple times in the two weeks he played in.
However, Jordan’s performances weren’t enough to maintain the starting role going into the Missouri game in Week Five. Redshirt freshman Hairston got the call and didn’t have the best stat line either.
Hairston threw for 75 yards and a touchdown, with an interception. The Minutemen offense never seemed to get the ball consistently over midfield, with the only great field position manufactured by a Timmy Hinspeter interception.
“AJ did some good things, but obviously his stat line wasn’t great,” Harasymiak said. “I think (Missouri’s) defense makes it extremely hard. I think (Hairston and Jordan) have played a different style of speed on the field with Iowa and Missouri.”
When stating it would be a battle between three quarterbacks, Harasymiak still deflected Rose’s status for the week, saying he doesn’t want to risk Rose if he isn’t ready. One could assume he doesn’t want the opponent to know anything about his players’ availability for the upcoming week.
“He’s recovering,” Harasymiak said. “Again, Brandon’s in the situation where one hit, he could be done. He’s doing a great job. We probably could have risked it, and put him in last week, but I’m not going to put a guy in that can’t protect himself. We just gotta see how it goes.”
Harasymiak also emphasized putting the quarterback in the best position to succeed. He mentioned the wide receivers not dropping balls, as well as the offensive line giving them a clean pocket.
The No. 1 target for the Minutemen has been Jacquon Gibson. The wide receiver has found most of his success with Brandon Rose, albeit Hairston and Jordan started against two of the best defenses in the country. It will be interesting to see if Gibson’s success plays into Harasymiak’s decision, especially with playmakers like TY Harding out for the year.
The Minutemen head coach was very stern about how he will make his final decision on this week’s starting quarterback, though.
“(Rose) is close. Ultimately, whoever prepares the best and goes out and can give us the best opportunity to win. Just so everyone knows, I don’t have favorites. I haven’t been here long enough to have favorites.”
Your one-stop-shop for all your sports marketing needs… Owned and Operated by UMASS Grads.
We specialize in providing top-quality marketing & printing services for coaches, athletic directors, and sports marketing professionals.
Get Fan Ready!