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Athlon Sports
UMass Football: 2024 Minutemen Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
23 hours ago
Given this program’s history at the FBS level, 2024 isn’t about contending for the postseason. It’s more about showing that the program can go a year without backsliding, as well as gauging how competitive the Minutemen can be upon their entrance into the Mid-American Conference in 2025. Recording the program’s first four-win season since 2018 would be, frankly, a substantial victory.
The most exciting player on this Minutemen team last year, running back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, transferred to Michigan State in the offseason, leaving a big gap in the offensive attack.
Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh had his moments last season, particularly in the first few weeks. In last year’s season-opening win over New Mexico State, the ex-Clemson and ex-Georgia Tech QB threw for 192 yards and rushed for 96. However, there just weren’t enough performances like that. Perhaps new offensive coordinator and ex-James Madison play-caller Shane Montgomery can unlock Phommachanh’s potential.
There is reason to be optimistic about the wide receiver group. Head coach Don Brown’s staff signed a handful of veterans at the position, including FCS Eastern Washington’s Jakobie Keeney-James and former top-50 recruit Frank Ladson Jr. Ladson started nine games for Miami over the past two years and made 30 appearances at Clemson prior to that.
A former blue-chip recruit, Taisun Phommachanh began his career at Clemson and played at Georgia Tech before heading home to New England to play at UMass.
Matthew O&CloseCurlyQuoteHaren&solUSA TODAY Sports
Previewing UMass’ Defense for 2024
Simply put, the Minutemen have to get better on defense after allowing 37.8 points per game, worst in FBS. They were especially bad at defending the run, allowing an FBS-worst 5.9 yards per rush last season. Opposing teams barely felt the need to throw the ball, averaging 23.8 pass attempts per game. If opponents can move the ball that quickly without even needing to throw, the secondary will have clean uniforms at the end of the day, if nothing else.
In the middle, the transfer additions of defensive linemen Etinosa Reuben (Georgia Tech/Clemson), Jaylen Hudson (Wake Forest) and Tim Grant-Randall (Eastern Michigan) could revitalize a pass rush that produced only 19 sacks in 2023.
Don Brown is in his second stint as UMass head coach. He is best known for his work under Jim Harbaugh as Michigan defensive coordinator from 2016-2020.
Matthew O&CloseCurlyQuoteHaren&solUSA TODAY Sports
Previewing UMass’ Specialists for 2024
Senior placekicker CJ Kolodziey returns after handling punting and kickoff duties each of the last two seasons. He averaged a little more than 41 yards per punt last season. Senior Anthony Simpson will head up a kick return unit that averaged 17.8 yards per return last season. He was an All-Independent selection in 2023 by Phil Steele and College Football Network. Riley Moore, who was used sparingly as a punter last season, could see his role increase in some capacity. Moore has also been a placekicker at previous stops in college, namely FCS Weber State.
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