As a part of this week’s football preview, ASOR welcomes UMass beat writer, Michael Traini from “Fight Massachusetts,” for this week’s edition of “Ask A Beat Writer.” Fight Massachusetts is a UMass website that is partnered with 247Sports, and covers Minutemen Athletics.
The Minutemen seem to struggle on offense, as they have only managed 10 offensive points in their first three games. What will be the key for UMASS to score some points Saturday?
Michael Traini: UMass does struggle on offense and frankly that’s being generous. The Minutemen are still in the midst of a rebuild and they are trying to solidify an offensive identity that revolves around being a ball control rushing offense. Unfortunately they don’t really have the personnel in place yet to accomplish that and as such the results have been lackluster this year. In order to score some points on Liberty the Minutemen are going to need improved play from their offensive line in order to open holes and allow time for plays to develop. They’re going to need quarterback play that protects the ball. They’re going to need better play-calling from the sidelines and honestly they’re going to need Liberty to underestimate them, make mistakes, or likely both.
We’ve seen three different UMASS Quarterbacks make appearances in games this season. Should we expect to see all three Saturday, and who is getting the start?
MT: True Freshman Will Koch looked decent for a player his age and experience against Marshall several weeks ago, but he looked exactly like an inexperienced freshman against FAU last weekend and it wasn’t pretty. The step back might cost him the start against Liberty but then again this is a learning year for the Minutemen and all game experience helps. Redshirt freshman Garrett Dzuro came in late against FAU (and Marshall) and might get a chance at a start against the Flames. He’s been at UMass for a season longer than Koch and was a bit calmer during his snaps last weekend. Those are the primary QBs to look for at this stage.
Minutemen LB Cole McCubrey is having a great season with 25 total Tackles in just three games. Is he the anchor for this defense, and is there anything Liberty can do to avoid him?
MT: McCubrey is a classic Mike linebacker, he’s everywhere on the field tackling anyone with the ball. As one of the few seniors in the program he’s definitely someone the coaches and other players lean on both on and off the field. I doubt Liberty will be able to avoid him but they might see a lot of him if the UMass offense can’t give the defense any rest.
What team unit will be key in swaying the game in UMASS’ favor and potentially allowing them to pull an upset?
MT: After their performance last weekend the Minutemen defense is where you have to look if they want any chance of pulling an upset. UMass had perhaps their best defensive performance in years against FAU, certainly the best since the current coaching staff arrived in Amherst, and it will be critical to see if they can put together another solid outing. The issue for the UMass defense becomes when they are forced to play too many minutes because the offense cannot maintain any time of possession and the defense subsequently and inevitably starts to wear down.
What is your prediction for the game?
MT: There is a big line on this game and while I’d like to think that would be a tough cover for Liberty, the Flames are doing so well this year that it really may not be. The Flames have turned themselves into one of the most competitive programs in the G5 and with UMass’ offensive struggles the hope is that this game is not over by half time like last year’s contest between the schools in Amherst was. I think Liberty wins easily, no issues getting to 9-1, but I think (hope?) UMass can cover 38 points. I’ll say Liberty 49, UMass 13.
