Rammed

Pure and complete domination.

The UMass football team completely dismantled Rhode Island on Saturday and set itself up for a huge game against the Maine Black Bears.

I think Darren Rizzi, head coach of the Rams, said it best.

“They completely outcoached, outperformed and outprepared us today.”

UMass scored on seven of its nine possessions and looked more like that 2006 team than the 2008 squad that has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Liam Coen left his mark on his home state – he had more touchdowns (3) than incompletions (2).

UMass is now No. 10 in  FCS and is No. 100 overall according to Saragrin’s ratings.

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Aimee Bourassa, a former varsity swimmer at UMass, has been hired as the assistant coach for Bryant.

A 2006 graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Bourassa was an assistant swim coach for Binghamton University for the past two seasons. While with the Bearcats, she was responsible for preparing and implementing a rigorous distance training program, as well as assisting in all recruiting, fundraising and community service duties.

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Apparently we lost Chris Pizzotti, a quarterback recruit, to Harvard a ways back. He spoke to Scout about the recruiting process.

I wanted to go to an I-A school, but Harvard was the only Ivy League school I looked at. I was looking at schools like BC [Boston College], UConn, Syracuse and Duke. But when BC told me they weren’t going to offer me a scholarship, I decided that if I wasn’t going to go to BC, I was going to Harvard. I had a lot of offers from I-AA schools like Northeastern and UMass, as well as other schools in that conference. But it was either BC or Harvard.

Shipped to the Pats?

Marcel Shipp, a former standout running back for the UMass football team, was mentioned among possible free agents the New England Patriots could use to fill their need for a backup running back.

The Boston Herald had the article.

But if Morris’ knee injury turns out to be significant, it’s hard to know which direction Belichick will head. Unsigned free agents include Mike Anderson, Kevan Barlow, Mike Bell, Tatum Bell, Derrick Blaylock, Zack Crockett, Ron Dayne, Vernand Morency and UMass product Marcel Shipp.

Shipp last saw action for the Arizona Cardinals during the 2007 season when he rushed for more than 40 yards and one touchdown. There’s a good amount of talent on that list, and you have to think the Pats picking up Shipp is a long shot.

Here’s hoping for small miracles. Maybe the Pats will take a chance on a local boy.

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Andrew Merritt, a former Collegian editor, had an article on Merrimack and got some quotes from Toot.

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Looks like UMass lost the Jordan Williams recruiting race to Maryland.

Maryland won out over such schools as St. John’s, Providence and Marquette of the Big East, Indiana of the Big 10 and UMass and Xavier of the Atlantic 10.

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The Collegian had an article on Donnie Moorhouse, the announcer for the UMass hockey team.

Do you hear an Esho, Esho…?

Derek Kellogg picked up a forward from the 2010 class.

Max Esho, from Baltimore, has given a “commitment” to UMass, according to ESPN.

According to Scout, Esho is a three-star recruit and was getting looks from the likes of Providence and Saint Joseph’s. ESPN is also saying that the trim forward has some pretty “raw” basketball abilities.

Esho has some very clear physical potential, although his basketball skills are still very raw. He has very long arms, good size, and athleticism. He can get above the rim easily and run the court with long strides, although his heavy feet make him a slow leaper and limit his lateral quickness.

The NBE Basketball Report had a small writeup on him after a basketball tournament – seems like the kid is going to have to bulk up before he graduates next year.

Esho is a very long big man that can block shots and pick steals, as well as grab most rebounds that come anywhere near him.  He is a pretty tough force in the paint, but could use more strength to create a little more space to make it easier on the glass for him.

Scout has Esho and another skinny big man – Raphiel Putney – as the only two offers UMass has made to the 2010 class. Putney reportedly has “high interest” in UMass and visited in early September. I’m wondering why no one else is going after this kid.

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The Bud Orne Rink, in Marblehead, is going to use “a full set of hockey boards” from the Mullins Center, which were donated via an anonymous donor.

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The Atlantic 10 announced its national television schedule, and UMass is getting a lot of run time.

Let them eat cake!

The UMass women’s basketball team scored another recruit – this time using ice cream cake!

Yes, it’s true. The Minutewomen courted Tennessee High senior Danielle Montgomery using ice cream cake that said: “We hope you choose us. Welcome to UMass,” in the icing according to TriCities.com.

Obviously Marnie Dacko used more than frozen deliciousness to convince Montgomery, but I think that part of the story is pretty funny.

Montgomery, the Herald Courier’s Northeast Tennessee player of the year last season, said she considered several other Division I schools, including Virginia Tech and Memphis.

She said she settled on UMass because the school offers a top sports management program and has a strong basketball tradition and because she believes the women’s basketball program has a bright future under coach Marnie Dacko.

Beating out Memphis and an ACC team bodes well for Dacko’s recruiting tactics. Hopefully Montgomery can help turn the Maroon and White around.

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The UMass field hockey team is ranked in the Top 20 for the first time since 2000.

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The Blue Hens won’t be at full strength when they visit Amherst this weekend. Delaware lost Kervin Michaud, its captain and power back, for the season with a broken collarbone.

“Not only he is an outstanding player who played two positions for us, he’s also team captain and he’s a warrior,” Keeler said. “He makes everyone better when he’s out there. That’s a huge loss for us.”

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Newsday had an article about Thomas Pock, the newest member of the New York Islanders.

Good, bad and neutral

Decent amount of football news out there – some neutral and some pretty bad.

For some reason, the Seattle Post Intelligencer has a preview on the UMass/Texas Tech football game this weekend. The article is pretty down-the-middle, and doesn’t exactly give a whole lot of information we didn’t already know.

Opponents are scoring 36.7 ppg against UMass, which is yielding 383.7 total ypg. Clearly, there is room for the defense to improve. Stopping the run has proven to be extremely problematic, as foes are generating 215.0 total ypg on an average of 5.0 ypc. Of the 14 touchdowns that opposing offenses have registered against the Minutemen, nine have come on the ground.

As most football fans know, Texas Tech isn’t exactly known for its ground game. The Red Raiders are going to do their best to pick apart the Maroon and White’s secondary with its outstanding passing game.

However, it appears Tech isn’t afraid to hit the trenches.

As for the ground attack, Baron Batch is averaging 8.8 ypc on 21 attempts, and Shannon Woods has reached the end zone four times. “We are going to make plays,” said Batch of the role that he and Woods play in the offense. “So if were passing and that’s working, then that’s fine with me. But we can always run, we have play makers in every position.”

Should be a scary game – I just hope it prepares the Minutemen for the rest of the season.

Now for the bad: Folarinde Aiyeku, a former UMass football player, is going to jail after pleading guilty to assaulting Kevin Maresco, a former UMass hockey player, in 2007.

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Janda Ricci-Munn, a former UMass track and cross-country athlete, finished fifth at the Subaru 70.3 Muskoka Ironman in Huntsville, Ontario.

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Tevin Baskin, a UMass basketball recruit, is looking at schools and doesn’t appear to have a favorite yet.

He’s checking out Amherst in October.

“I haven’t heard from Rutgers and St. John’s, or any of the Big East schools really,” he said. “I have no favorite. Schools are still coming in.”

The Virginia test

Sorry I was MIA yesterday – had all four wisdom teeth taken out.

Today’s post is dedicated to Vicodin.

UMass is heading south to take on an extremely talented James Madison team, and if the Minutemen want to flex their muscles early, they need to get it together on defense. JMU is going to test the defensive line with its impressive running attack, and quarterback Rodney Landers (who is 1-4 against UMass all time) can throw and use his legs.

Both he and Liam Coen have a great amount of respect for each other.

Coen’s “a great player, and he brings a great team with him,” said Landers, who passed and rushed for almost 3,000 yards last season. “Any time you get a chance to play the best, I think that’s when you want to show your stuff.

“I think it gives you a little more incentive, yeah, just because he was the preseason player of the year.”

Coen said:

“Knowing that you’re going up against one of the top players in the conference, if not the country, you have to have the mindset that you’re going to have to be more efficient and really focus on moving the ball and finishing drives,” Coen said. “No matter what defense is lining up against them, they’re going to have their big plays and successful drives, so you have to be ready yourself.”

James Madison’s body of work is too small to really get a good read. The Dukes got beat down by the Blue Devils, then turned around and slaughtered North Carolina Central. While Duke is not exactly a heavyweight, it must be taken into consideration that JMU played the FBS team on the road.

It also must be taken into consideration that UMass is NOT N.C. Central.

“UMass players are vastly superior to North Carolina Central’s, but in terms of philosophies very similar,” Matthews said Monday at his weekly press conference.

It looks like JMU, which has 464 rushing yards compared to UMass’ 288, is a little nervous about the size of the Maroon and White’s offensive line.

“Their offensive line is so big, the field tilts over when they run out on the field,” Matthews said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an offensive line as large as theirs.”

Tomorrow’s game will be a true test for the Minutemen, and could very well be an early season separator in the conference. The general consensus is this: UMass has to play better than it has the first two weeks – if not, it will roll into Lubbock at 2-1.

Prediction:

JMU: 24

UMass: 21

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Apparently UMass is courting Salem’s Melikke Van Alstyne.

Make it official

Not a whole lot out there today, but UMass “officially” has David Gibbs and Hashim Bailey.

According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Gibbs “has earned the necessary combination of core-course grades and standardized testing scores to be eligible in his first season as a Minuteman,” and Bailey will enroll at UMass in the fall.

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Looks like the Arizona Star thinks we’re going to get crushed by Texas Tech.

Texas Tech’s condemnable home football schedule begins with Eastern Washington, SMU and UMass, yet the Red Raiders on Thursday announced they have ceased selling season tickets because — joy! — they are sold out.

… and then.

The anticipation of Crabtree catching 12 or 13 passes a game — and Tech scoring 60 or 70 points against UMass and Eastern Washington — has made it impossible for those who procrastinate to acquire Texas Tech season tickets.

And with that: Have a good weekend folks!

Coaching house swap

All across the country, college kids are moving into their new digs.

Moving trucks clog small university-town road, and mom and dad and doing their best to ensure that Joe and Sally College are comfortable before the first days of the upcoming semester.

The same moving cycle is happening with the Kellogg family – perhaps sans parents. The Kelloggs are packing up and moving into Travis Ford’s old house, according to the Springfield Republican.

Kellogg and his wife, Nicole P. Flory-Kellogg, recently purchased Ford’s house at 27 Owen Drive for $755,000, according to the Registry of Deeds.

The house is right by the North Amherst Cometary (spooky) and is directly off East Pleasant St.

Hopefully some of Ford’s karma is still on the property.

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Looks like Stephane Lasme has secured himself a roster spot on the Miami Heat.

Once Wright signs, it will leave the Heat with 13 players under guaranteed contract for next season: Centers Mark Blount and Joel Anthony, forwards Wright, Jones, Diawara, Marion, Udonis Haslem, Stephane Lasme and Michael Beasley, and guards Dwyane Wade, Daequan Cook, Marcus Banks and Mario Chalmers.

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The UMass baseball team lost a recruit to Northeastern.

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More good UMass Football stuff coming out of THE UMass Football Blog.

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Jeff Howe, a former editor with the UMass Daily Collegian, had an excellent (and pretty funny) column about the Olympics.

Two more recruits

Adam Zagoria is all over Northeast hoops recruiting.

He mentioned two basketball prospects that are holding offers from UMass on his blog – Fuquan Edwin and T.J. Clemmings.

Aside from UMass, Edwin has scholarship offers from Seton Hall and Xavier (Zagoria said he is visiting the Xavier campus soon). ZagsBlog is ahead of the recruiting curve … Rivals only has Rutgers and Seton Hall as interested.

Scout, in conjunction with ESPN, has some more information on him. However, the site says the same as Rivals as far as Rutgers and Seton Hall.

Edwin is one of the best slashers I’ve seen this summer. He has a live body and he’s extremely athletic, especially in transition. His jump shot is a tad unorthodox as he releases it from his side – similar to former NBA great George Gervin.

The difference between ZagsBlog and Scout/ESPN is that the former has him listed as a forward and the latter has him as a shooting guard. At 6′5, I would hope that this kid is ready to play the two or three position. Big East and A-10 teams require more size in the post.

As far as Clemmings is concerned, Zagoria said he has offers from Seton Hall and Providence. ESPN/Scout has a pretty impressive list including: UNC, Texas and Florida – with no UMass to be found.

He also had a pretty glowing description.

One word: BEAST. Standing at only 6-7, this chiseled power foward from Paterson, N.J. is the real deal. An All-Tournanment Team performer at the Playaz Spring Fling – Phase II, T.J. and the rest of his Playaz-Red teammates have proven once agin that age is only a number. Doubters will say he’s too small for big-time college ball, but his signing should be coveted by all.

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Marcel Shipp was picked up by the Houston Texans to fill in for Ahman Green.

Great news for Marcel, and interesting news for my fantasy team. I have both Houston running backs on my bench – so does that mean I have to pick up Shipp since the job is still more or less up in the air? Do I have to wait for Green to come back, or get a real prognosis on what’s happening here?

Damn you fantasy football… damn you.

Williams on campus

Hope the weather is alright in Amherst – Jordan Williams is in town.

The highly touted power forward came to visit UMass, according to the Springfield Republican. Williams has been talked about around here for about a year. Travis Ford started the recruiting process, and Coach Kellogg is staying on top of it.

Despite the proximity of UMass, Williams’ father said the family does not know much about the school or program.

“All we have heard is hearsay, but everything we have heard is good,” LeRon Williams said Thursday. “We’ve spoken to coach Kellogg on the phone a couple of times.

Scout is saying that UMass has made an offer, and so far we’re up against Xavier, Maryland, Saint John’s, URI, Providence, Notre Dame and Fordham.

Some big names on that list – hopefully he enjoys his stay in Amherst.

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Inside Lacrosse had its recruiting recap for men’s and women’s lacrosse, and UMass had top recruits on both lists.

Here’s women’s lax, and here’s the men.

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The Trenton Devils of the ECHL have signed David Leaderer, a former UMass hockey player.

Leaderer, now 22, recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Mass., where he was twice named a member of the Hockey East All-Academic Team.

He scored 11 goals and had 22 assists with the Minutemen, and clocked 110 penalty minutes in 149 games.