Spring Game Provides Learning Experience For UMass
A peek at the future in important position groups for the UMass Football Program
AMHERST, Mass. - As the spring game comes to an end, the period that represents the calm before the storm begins. Massachusetts football and the fans enjoyed a fun and riveting spring game under the new regime of head coach Joe Harasymiak here at McGurik Alumni Stadium on Saturday.
Maroon took the game 18-17, with some fun plays from Dallas Elliott and Rocko Griffin down the stretch. The next couple of weeks might be calm for the players, but the staff, they are just getting started.
The spring transfer portal opened on April 16, three days prior to the game.
“We are going to have a specific plan (for the transfer portal), but we gotta get together at the beginning of next week and make sure that we are on the same page for that,” Harasymiak said.
Many positions have shown improvement through the spring practices with players starting to separate themselves, but some groups haven’t found their one identifiable piece to the puzzle just yet.
On the offense, the quarterback battle between A.J. Hairston and Grant Jordan continued. Both showed signs of encouragement. Jordan displayed his ability to make good decisions from the snap. His natural instinct to make the correct play has been extremely noticeable. Hairston struggled in the beginning parts of the game, but recovered. His throw gave Dallas Elliot the space to readjust himself and make the highlight play of the game.
“One threw for 164, one threw for 165,” Harasymiak said. “I thought they both managed the game and made good throws.”
Brandon Rose, the Utah transfer, also will have a chance to crack into the lineup when summer camp comes around.
Four running backs went out there for the Minutemen, being Godson Ofonagoro, Cookie Desiderio, and the main two, Brandon Campbell and Rocko Griffin. Ofonagoro and Desiderio both continued to show the flashes they have showcased all spring long. Campbell proved his ability to work out of the backfield as an extra receiver. Griffin struggled to find spark in a game without contact, as that is his strong suit.
Going forward, that group could potentially shrink. Campbell and Griffin expect to play big roles in a new UMass offense. If running backs coach Jeremy Larkin doesn’t see Desiderio and Ofonagoro as big pieces for the future, that could affect their decision on their own futures. This is not to mention Da’Marion Alberic, who has been an obvious favorite throughout camp, but didn’t play in the spring game.
“We’ll have some exit player meetings that we are going to do next week, and some spring evaluations,” Harasymiak said. “After that, (the coaches) are on the road, we are out of here, so the place will seem like a desert.”
The wide receiver group was the best from the naked eye. Returners, T.Y. Harding and Sterling Galban didn’t have the big games they wanted in their return. That spotlight was for newcomer Tyree Kelly, who received 11 targets for five receptions and 79 yards. Kelly and the rest of the group highlighted their depth going forward. With Kelly, McConnachie, Gibson and Harding being the clear big pieces in the receiving department, the question now becomes, where do players like Kenyon Massey and Dallas Elliott fit in going forward.
“That’s gonna come down to camp,” Harasymiak said. “Those guys are buying into what (Jordan Hogan, wide receivers coach) is saying.”
The defense came ready to play. Josh Nobles played a big role in the pass rush, while Michael Pangaro deflected some key balls to keep the maroon team in the game. The UMass secondary was firing on all cylinders. The question of too much depth remains for a lot of position groups. Zeraun Daniel, Malcolm Greene and TJ Magee are some of the guys who have played well, and have the resumes to back it up. That would leave players like DD Snyder, Michael Pangaro and JC Clark wanting more. That’s not to mention Kamren Watkins-Hunter, who’s been a standout player for the defense.
Going forward for the Minutemen, football action will wind down over the next week.
“They’ll get ready to finish the semester,” Harasymiak said. “We’ll have some lifts coming up, but now we’re going to make sure we tone them down for a little bit for about a week…Before you know it they are taking finals.”
Harasymiak and the staff look to stay locked in on their plan to improve the roster through recruits, as well as the portal, but the message was clear during the spring.
“I noticed that they care about each other,” he said. “I noticed when I got here, everyone was an independent contractor. They wanted what was best for them…The way they’ve come together, the energy of the building, I think we are fondly starting to come together.”
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