This one was tough.

I know we aren’t supposed to beat UMass, and that they have the much better team, but it would be nice to win a game like this just once. Tribe has had trouble putting teams away all year, and this was the first time it came back to haunt them. Laycock decided to play stall ball, like every other week, and it didn’t work, like every other week.

Quite frankly, with all the gifts they gave us, it was hard to not be in the game. 2 botched snaps(1 for a loss of about 50 yards) and 2 fumbles(both taken back a long way) and we still find a way to lose by 2 TD’s. This has got to stop.

The fumble kickoffs are inexcusable. I really like Tommy Schonder as a player, but I’m assuming he was put in there because nobody else can hold onto the ball.

Another disappointing game at Zable, but as I have been saying a lot lately…..

9 days until basketball season.

I’ll keep the football talk to a minimum, as most people aren’t going to Zable for the football this weekend.

While he has been beaten up this year, Liam Coen is a very strong junior QB for UMass. This year he has 15 TD’s to 5 interceptions, 1511 yards, and 216 per game. The Tribe needs to hope he is not at 100% to win. JJ Moore has stepped in after the loss of Steve Baylark, and has done a solid job. 3 TD’s and about 90 yards per game, which means he will run all over the Tribe defense. Matt Lawrence has far and away been the strongest receiver, averaging about 115 yards per game along with 8(eight! as in 7+1!) touchdowns. D-Cox better be ready.

The UMass D has not been spectacular, but respectable at 315 yards per game, yet only 17 points per. They have 7 INT’s this year, the leader being Jason Hatchell, a senior LB with 2. Senior LB Charles Walker is leading the team in tackles with 68, plus 2 forced fumbles. David Burris, a senior lineman, has a whopping 8 sacks on the year. Not looking good at all.

Now the important stuff. The latest I am hearing on the logo is something related to a Wren, and possibly a mascot, but I honestly have no idea. Halftime may be the most important moment on Saturday.

Finally, the basketball team is looking good. Everyone sans Sumner(ugh) have seemed to improve, and I really like the freshman Sexton. He is my surprise pick this year. No McFadden though, I really have no idea what is going on there. Time will tell.

GO TRIBE!

This team doesn’t want to win easily, does it?

The run defense is still terrible, 250 yards to Maine? The running game for the Tribe was also pretty bad, with Marriner going for 2.2 yards per carry, and the team averaging 3.2. Viola and Schonder weren’t half bad, though.

Cam Dohse might be the best receiver on this team. 123 yards on 7 catches and 2 TD’s. He came out of nowhere. And another good game from Jake, 23/37 for 255 yards and 2 TD’s. Nicholas only had one catch, nagging injury?

Good to see Rutter on top of the tackle chart again, and Adrian Tracy with a sack. He got shaken up late in the game but it didn’t sound all that serious on the radio, hopefully that is right.

And we have a bye week, before homecoming, UMass, and a new logo. Hopefully I’ll be able to hit a few basketball practices this week, which I think will surprise the CAA this year.

GO TRIBE!

The Tribe has possibly it’s last winnable game of the year this weekend, traveling to Orono to face University of Maine. Maine is currently 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the CAA, but after last week’s performance, nothing is a given.

UM has had trouble finding effectiveness at the QB position this year, with freshman Adam Farkes getting the majority of the work. He is throwing for an average of 93 yards per game with 2 TDs and 2 INTs, along with a terrible completion percentage of 48.8 percent. His top target this year has been Landis Williams, who has 10 receptions for 106 yards. Matthew Mulligan has 9 catches on the year for 112 yards. Manzi Pierre has 9 catches for a total of 87 yards.

The running game hasn’t been all that much better for the Black Bears. Junior Jhamal Fluellen is the only rusher with significant numbers, with 4.7 yards per carry and 3 TD’s. That is good for a total of 84 yards per game, and the rest of the time only combines for 76 more.

The defense also hasn’t been that great. Giving up an average of 185 yards per game on the ground, and 175 through the air, they haven’t really been stopping anybody. Linebacker John Wormuth has been the impact player on D, with an INT, a sack and a half, 3 TFL’s, and is leading the team in tackles. Defensive lineman Jovan Belcher is the best pass rusher, with 3 sacks on the year.

After looking at the stats, the Tribe is eternally doomed if they lose this game. I don’t care where the game is, or how inconsistent the Tribe has been, Maine is TERRIBLE. Blow out.

55-14 Tribe.

That was bad.

NO defense, not much offense, and fumbled kickoffs.

Hopefully that is the worst game we play this year. Over 60 points to Villanova???

Don’t really think this game deserves a full recap, but I do have some good news.

Midnight Madness is on Friday.

Possibly the best game in the CAA this weekend will take place in Villanova, PA, as the Tribe travels to take on the VU Wild Cats. With the teams at 20 and 21 in the just-released GPI, this is a key matchup for both teams and will kill both team’s slim shot at the playoffs with a loss.

Leading the VU attack is QB Antwon Young, who tore up the Tribe at Zable last year. He is very athletic and can also throw a little bit, with a 62.2% completion percentage and an average of 195 ypg through the air. He has 10 TD’s and 4 INT’s on the year, and I have a feeling the Tribe will have trouble stopping him saturday afternoon.

Similar to Towson, VU has had trouble running the ball this year. Matt Dicken is the leading rusher, only averaging a little over 57 yards per game. He has 2 TD’s on the year and a long of 43. QB Antwon Young is the second leading rusher, and he has 113 yards on the season. Regardless, they should be able to move the ball on the ground vs. the Tribe.

VU has several talented receivers, with Matthew Sherry leading the pack this year. He is averaging 45 yards per game, and has 2 TD’s this year. Phil Atkinson, a junior, is averaging 38 yards per game and has 4 touchdowns. Sophomore Brandyn Harvey is the big play threat, averaging 16.2 yards per catch with a long of 60. He also has a TD.

The VU defense has had some trouble this year. They are averaging 225 yards against through the air on the year, and 150 on the ground. They will need to step up or this will be another 44-41 type game. One defensive standout has been DE Tim Kukucka, a sophomore  with 4 sacks on the young season. Freshman Terence Thomas is leading the team in tackles with 33 and has an INT on the year. The defensive backfield, while they have given up a bunch of yards, have 11 INTs on the year which will be a key in the game.

This game, in my opinion, will come down to the play of Jake Phillips. If he is on the Tribe will move the ball at ease, but if he plays like he did last week he will have 3-4 INTs and the Wild Cats will cruise to a W. Assist to turnover ratio will decide this game, and unfortunately I don’t see the Tribe playing a complete game.

VU: 38
WM: 28