The Liberty Flames (6-2, 4-2 CUSA) are back in action against UMass (2-7). The Flames and Minutemen are scheduled to meet in Amherst, Massachusetts on Saturday, November 16 at Noon. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Don Brown, a longtime defensive coach, is in his second stint as UMass’ head coach. He is currently in his third season leading the Minutemen and has a 6-26 record over the past three seasons.
It’s difficult to get a good read on where the Minutemen are currently. Over the past month, they have had an open date, two losses to SEC opponents by large margins and then defeated FCS Wagner, 35-7. They haven’t faced a G5 opponent since Oct. 5, a loss at Northern Illinois, 34-20.
UMass’ two wins this season have come over FCS teams as they also beat Central Connecticut State earlier in the year. The Minutemen are coming off a bye week.
UMass is averaging 19.2 points per game while rushing for 143.2 yards per game and throwing for 187.4 yards per game. QB Taisun Phommachanh leads the way for the offense. He has completed 132 of 234 passes for 1,590 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He’s second on the team in rushing and leads the team with 107 attempts for 317 yards and 3 scores.
On Monday, Coach Brown announced that Phommachanh will miss the rest of the season due to an injury suffered in the game against Mississippi State. In his place, the Minutemen played two different quarterbacks – AJ Hairston and Ahmad Haston, both freshmen with limited experience. UMass has had extra time to prepare these quarterbacks to make the start coming out of their bye week.
It is a bit of a committee approach for the Minutemen at running back. In addition to Phommachanh, CJ Hester leads the way with 81 carries for 349 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jaylen John has 69 rushes for 279 yards and a touchdown.
Jakobie Keeney-James leads UMass with 36 receptions for 595 yards and 4 touchdowns. T.Y. Harding has 13 catches for 258 yards and 4 scores.
Three Players to Watch For
RB #33 – CJ Hester leads the team in rushing with 349 yards and 2 touchdowns on 81 carries.
WR #10 – T.Y. Harding has 13 receptions for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns.
LB #23 – Jalen Stewart leads the team with 59 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.
Upcoming Games/Recent Results
Oct. 12 – Missouri 45, UMass 3
Oct. 26 – UMass 35, Wagner 7
Nov. 02 – Mississippi State 45, UMass 20
Nov. 23 – UMass @ Georgia
