Game Day--Vanderbilt

UMass football continues to receive financial support in its move to FBS. The Athletic Dept has announce a major gift from brothers David and Paul Manganaro.

Dan Malone also has a report on the gift.

Paul Manganaro was a 5-11 224 pound ILB for the Minutemen. He lettered in 1982, 83, 85 and was Captain in 1986.

I swung by McGuirk yesterday and the place was a beehive of activity. Construction on the new press box has started. Note the construction guy standing on the iron.

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Lots of fan activities for today's game.

Dan Malone has another tough OOC opponent for the Minutemen.

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Mark Chiarelli of the Gazette has story about today's game.

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My Q & A with the Anchor of Gold Blog is up on that site.

Christian D'Andrea has getting to know UMass.

He predicts the Commodores over UMass 44-6.

The Commodores arrive at UMass (image gallery).

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The MAC Report Online has a preview of Week #4.

Ten televised MAC games today.

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Today will be another test of the Minutemen's determination. Vanderbilt is a rising SEC team who went  9-4 last year with a bowl win.

The Commodores will be significantly bigger than UMass on both sides of the ball. The Minutemen have one 300 DL in the two-deep (Robert Kitching III 6-1) and only one other 300-pound DL on the roster (Elijah Wilkinson 6-4 330 a true freshman). Terrell Correia 6-7 305 true freshman is listed as OL/DL. Vanderbilt has four 300-pounders on the two deep.

It would be great to see some offensive production. UMass moved the ball for a couple of long drives against Kansas State, but did not score. Keeping the big play Vandy offense off the field would keep the score respectable.

I was at the game last year and the UMass defense played fairly well. The Commodores scored on an INT and punt return. The UMass offense also turned over the ball deep in UMass territory. Less mistakes will make for a better game today.

Come out to support the team. Go UMass!!