With absolute certainty, members of the University of Massachusetts football team know they will finish without a conference loss in 2011.  Unfortunately they will also finish without a conference win.  In April 2011, UMass officials announced that the football program was departing CAA Football to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) beginning in 2012.   

When the University’s choice of conference was made public, CAA Football made the decision that UMass would officially have a conference record of 0-0 at the end of the year.  The results of their games would count towards their opponents’ records, however.  Players remain eligible for individual weekly-and-yearly performance awards as voted by conference members.

Despite playing the season without a chance of winning a conference title, the team’s performance remains at a high level.  Coming into this weekend’s game against Old Dominion, the #20 Minutemen have won two of their first three games, with the lone loss to Boston College of the ACC last week.  The team won a tough road game against Holy Cross while scoring 20 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to come from behind to defeat Rhode Island. 

UMass senior RB Jonathan Hernandez is carrying the load for the Minutemen in 2011. Hernandez is currently tied for the CAA lead in rushing with 398 yards.

With the graduation of starting quarterback Kyle Havens after last season, UMass’ game plan was designed around running back Jonathan Hernandez.  The senior from Leominster, MA, is tied with Dae’Quan Scott of James Madison for the league lead in rushing yards (398).  Hernandez’ production is more impressive when considering that he’s played one fewer game (UMass had its bye the second week of the season) than most of his counterparts. 

The effectiveness of the running game has alleviated  pressure on the UMass quarterbacks.  After redshirt freshman Brandon Hill started the first game against Holy Cross, redshirt sophomore Kellen Pagel earned the starting position the last two games.  The transfer from Bowling Green is tenth in the CAA with a passing efficiency rating of 115.0 while throwing for three touchdowns.  Pagel’s favorite target has been Julian Talley, a senior from Winslow, NJ.  The 2011 Preseason All-CAA wideout has 13 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns through three games. 

Defensively the team is led by the 2010 CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Tyler Holmes.  Virginia Tech fans probably wish the Blacksburg native would have stayed local and played for the Hokies, but the UMass faithful are just fine with the linebacker’s decision.  After a slow start the first two games (for his standards), Holmes recorded ten total tackles, including one tackle-for-loss and one fumble recovery, against Boston College.  Solidifying the linebacker corps is Perry McIntyre, who leads the team with 25 tackles with two TFL’s and one pass defensed. 

There are three aspects of this weekend’s game that UMass must control in order to defeat the Monarchs.

Running Game

Jonathan Hernandez is averaging 133 yards per game to date, almost 30 more yards per game than second-best in the conference.  The offensive line returned three starters from last year’s squad, and the experience has been evident this season.  However, ODU’s defense has allowed a league-best 88 rushing yards per game, including only 80 last week against a good rushing unit at Delaware.  It is imperative for Hernandez to get rush attempts early and often.

Secondary

Old Dominion has its share of speedy receivers who spread the field and can create havoc in space.  This season the Minutemen returned four secondary players with significant starting experience, led by starting free safety Darren Thellen (13 total tackles, one pass defensed).  Early this week it was announced that cornerback Mike Lee (three starts in 2011) and safety Ed Saint-Vil (two starts) will miss this weekend’s game after suffering injuries against BC.  The reserve players must step up their games to contain ODU’s corps of receivers.

Kickoff Return Unit

The Minutemen lead the CAA with an average of 29.7 yards per kickoff return.  Jesse Julmiste has led the way with an average of 33.2 per return, which includes a 100-yard touchdown return against Boston College.  Conversely, the Monarchs have struggled covering kickoffs.  With less than ten minutes remaining after taking a 17-16 lead at Delaware, the kickoff return unit surrendered a return inside the Monarch 40.  One play later the Blue Hens retook a lead they would not relinquish.  Massachusetts’ special teams unit has the ability to take advantage of the Monarchs, and it could prove to be the difference in the game.