Saturday, November 16, 2013

Game Day--Akron

Well, we're back. A little jet-jagged and not much sleep, but we're getting ready to go to Gillette.The weather is supposed to clear and the temperature hit 59 degrees!

Last home game for the Seniors. Let's all show up and cheer them on.

UMass should be an underdog in this game. Akron has improved a lot since last year. The Minutemen have improved, but not as much.

Hopefully, Rob Blanchflower will be able to play. The UMass offense works much better when he's in there. Let's run the ball, get some turnovers and win the game.

Go UMass!!!

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From the Minutemen Club newsletter:


Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Parking lots open for tailgating: 10 a.m.
Minuteman March at 10:45 a.m. Be sure to join the Minuteman Marching Band and UMass Cheerleaders in Minutefan Park to welcome the team to the stadium.
The Minuteman Club opens at 11 a.m.
Tomorrow is Senior Day. Be sure to get into Gillette Stadium in time for the special pre-game ceremony honoring the 18 players — 15 seniors and 3 graduate students — who will be competing in their final home game for the Minutemen.
This game also will provide an opportunity for fans to get one last Gillette Stadium look at the incredible Minuteman Marching Band before they head to New York City to be part of the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Most important, though, it's looking like a gorgeous day in Foxborough, sunny with a high of 54, perfect weather for cheering on the Minutemen as they attempt to repeat last year's success against Akron. The Minutemen topped the Zips 22-14 in Akron to get their first win of the FBS era a year ago.
Go here for broadcast media information and essential game notes.
For complete game notes, click here.
Information on Gillette Stadium, tailgating and activities is available here.
Remember:
  • Gillette Stadium now features WiFi throughout the facility. Bring your devices and follow stats, follow UMass Football social media throughout the game, and share your thoughts, images and video.
  • Tailgate Tent: Join the UMass Amherst Alumni Association at their official tailgate tent, part of Minutefan Park.
  • Patriots Alumni: Each game this season has brought a New England Patriots alumnus to the Minuteman Club to sign autographs and talk football with UMass fans. This week, meet John Smith. John, who grew up in Southampton, England, didn't know anything about American football until he came to America to coach at a summer soccer camp as a university student. He discovered a talent for kicking an oblong ball, got a contract, and served as was Patriots placekicker for 10 seasons. John is perhaps best remembered by Patriots fans for his part in the 1982 Snowplow Game, putting up the only points in a 3-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He's remembered nationally as the player who was lining up to kick a field goal on Monday Night Football in 1980 when Howard Cosell broke the news that John Lennon had been assassinated.
Start making plans for 2014. Next year, the Minutemen will split their home schedule between McGuirk Stadium on campus and Gillette Stadium. They'll open the 2014 season by hosting the BC Eagles at Gillette Stadium August 30. Details on the rest of the home schedule, as well as information about season ticket packages, will be available soon.

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Dan Malone says Doyle, Blanchflower and Byrne will all play in the game. Trey Dudley-Giles is "Probable". Shane Huber and Derek Beck are out.

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UMass has already sold over 8,000 tickets for the Akron game. That will be a new record high in UMass home attendence and will avoid NCAA probation.

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The Morning Call.com has an article about Galen Clemons' efforts to combat violence against women.

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The Cleveland Plain Dealer looks at today UMass-Akron game.

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Due to this week's MACtion, Central Michigan against Western Michigan is the only conference game today.

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Maine gets a chance to clinch the CAA Championship today.

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