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BYU Football: Scouting the Schedule – UMass

By Shaun Gordon

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 2: Andy Isabella #23 of the Massachusetts Minutemen catches the ball for a touchdown in front of Richard Dames #38 of the Florida International Golden Panthers on December 2, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 2: Andy Isabella #23 of the Massachusetts Minutemen catches the ball for a touchdown in front of Richard Dames #38 of the Florida International Golden Panthers on December 2, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 2: Andrew Ford #7 of the Massachusetts Minutemen throws the ball prior to the game against the Florida International Golden Panthers on December 2, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 2: Andrew Ford #7 of the Massachusetts Minutemen throws the ball prior to the game against the Florida International Golden Panthers on December 2, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

The Offense

Quarterback

Andrew Ford enters his senior season as the unquestioned starter. He was incredibly sharp in 2017, throwing for 2,924 yards and 22 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. With Ford behind center, the Minutemen had a Top 20 passing offense last season. There’s no reason to expect them to drop below that mark as long as Ford stays healthy.

If not, there’s another senior waiting in the wings. Ross Comis started most of the 2016 season before getting injured, then played a game and a half in 2017 when Ford got hurt. He’s got the experience to at least keep the offense afloat if he’s pressed into duty.

Running Back

Marquis Young (Sr.) led UMass in rushing last year with 1,027 yards and 9 scores. He also added 280 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

He’ll be the primary back in 2018, but he’ll be pushed by both Jordan Fredericks (Jr.) and Bilal Ally (Jr.). Fredericks is a Syracuse transfer who led the Orange in rushing as a freshman, and Ally had 386 yards and 3 touchdowns for UMass in 2017.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Andy Isabella (Sr.) had a monster 2017 season, catching 65 passes for 1,020 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll be Ford’s go-to target again this season, but he’ll have some help around him.

Both Sadiq Palmer (Jr.) and Jessie Britt (So.) had more than 400 receiving yards last season, so they’ll be able to draw some attention from Isabella. Brennon Dingle (So.) and Jacoby Herring (Sr.) also factored into the offense last season, and they’ll provide depth in the passing game.

Adam Breneman’s graduation leaves a huge hole in the tight end spot. It’ll be filled by Kyle Horn (Jr.) and Travis Reynolds (Jr.). Both have experience, but neither is a dynamic option in the passing game.

Offensive Line

It’s not often that a team brings back their entire two-deep offensive line, but that’s exactly what UMass has in 2018.

At the tackles, Ray Thomas-Ishman (Jr.) and Jake Largay (Sr.) will get the start, backed up by Dan DiNicola (Sr.) and Larnell Coleman (So.).

The starting guards will be Lukas Kolter (Sr.) and Mike Yerardi (Jr.), with James Reilly (So.) as the primary backup at both spots.

Derek Dumais (Jr.) will start at snapper, and Kolter will slide to the center spot if Dumais goes down.

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