UMass: Who has the Edge?
Publisher Jonathan Ford and staff writer Matt Valcho breakdown Saturday's matchup between Louisiana Tech and UMass in Foxborough, Mass. Matt breaks down the offenses and Jonathan the defenses.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Louisiana Tech: Ryan Higgins | UMass: Andrew Ford
Background: Ryan Higgins continues to play some of the best football in the country. The redshirt senior has gone 181 pass attempts without an interception, first in the FBS and has led an offense to a top five ranking nationally. His 17 touchdowns to two interceptions is one of the best ratios in the country. Long story short, Higgins has had a great year and shows little signs of slowing down. For the Minutemen, the quarterback situation is a little murky. Ross Comis was the presumed starter heading into the season, but Andrew Ford and even freshman Randall West have seen action. Ford has seen the field the most due to an injury to Comis. Both QBs should see the field.
Advantage: Louisiana Tech
Why: It’s pretty obvious that Higgins has the advantage here. He should continue to play well against a secondary allowing over 220 yards a game through the air.
Running back
Louisiana Tech: Jarred Craft | UMass: Marquis Young
Background: Jarred Craft is averaging 6.9 yards a carry and has four touchdowns on the year on the ground and three in the air. Craft continues to have a career year and has nearly already tripled his rushing totals from all his previous seasons. The junior is easily on pace for a thousand yard season. Marquis Young for UMass has 504 yards on the year with only 2 touchdowns. The back’s first touchdown was an 83 yarder against Mississippi State and his second came last week against ODU. Receiver Andy Isabella is the second highest rusher on the team, showing that Young is the only true rushing threat that UMass has.
Advantage: Louisiana Tech
Why: Jarred Craft is averaging over 100 yards a game and can be threat through the air. Young is averaging 84 yards a game and has very little threat through the air. Without him, the Minutemen offense has no rushing game.
Wide receiver
Louisiana Tech: Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson | UMass: Andy Isabella and Adam Breneman
Background: Carlos Henderson returned from injury last week against Western Kentucky and had a career day. His 232 yards and three touchdowns on only eight receptions earned him C-USA Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Offensive Player of the Week honors. Trent Taylor continues to sit near the top of the charts in touchdowns caught and yards on the season. Andy Isabella of UMass has 385 yards on the year with four touchdowns. Isabella is also the second highest rusher on the team, with 50 yards. Adam Breneman has 296 yards and two touchdowns.
Advantage: Louisiana Tech
Why: The total receiving yards of UMass’ three top receivers is nearly 100 yards short of Trent Taylor’s total for the season. Henderson was 64 yards away from matching Breneman’s total for the entire season in one game. Tech easily takes this one.
Offensive line
Background: The offensive line goes unchanged from the matchup with Western Kentucky. Backup center David Mahaffey rotated snaps at left tackle with O’Shea Dugas the last two games and should continue this week. UMass’ has fought some injuries on the line this season but starter Elijiah Wilkerson returns to the lineup this week.
Advantage: Louisiana Tech
Why: There have been a few issues this season with the line, but they seem to have figured it out mid-season. UMass has allowed 22 sacks on the year to Tech’s nine.
DEFENSE
You must be a member to read the full article. Subscribe now for instant access to all premium content.
-
Members-only forums
-
Predict prospect commits with FanFutureCast
-
Exclusive highlights and interviews
-
Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series
-
Breaking recruiting news