Post Game: Stony Brook vs Massachusetts Saturday, September 26, 2009

UMass came out and dominated the first drive, as expected by yours truly. The first play from scrimmage was a 40 yard bomb from Havens to Jeremy Horne. Fullback Chris Zardas ran for a score three plays later to give the Minutemen an early 7-0 lead. For whatever reason, Stony Brook didn't lay down and die. They put together a nice seven play drive to tie the score at 7. After a Havens interception, Stony Brook kicked a field goal to take a 10-7 lead. After this, it was pretty much all UMass. They scored the next two touchdowns to make it 21-10. Stony Brook scored a touchdown two minutes before half time and their idiot receiver who caught the ball got into the face of the UMass defensive back and started screaming at him. The ref threw a flagged him and it gave UMass great field position, and they were able to get a field goal before the half to make it 24-17. The second half was all UMass, and the final was 44-17, so my prediction was off by 10 points. Not too shabby.

All the while, starting running back Tony Nelson didn't make an appearance. He was dressed and I watched him walking around and talking to people, but he never went in. His replacement, John Hernandez made the most of his opportunity, rushing for 3 touchdowns, including a 36 yarder, and 140 yards. I wasn't sure if he was hurt or suspended. My cousin who went with me suggested that maybe Hernandez had a better week of practice and was named starter. He was walking around ok and didn't seem hurt, and he was dressed so he didn't seem suspended. When I came home, I checked it and it turns out he had a shoulder injury. I wouldn't sleep all that well if I were Nelson tonight. He may have just lost his job.

The Stony Brook coach didn't impress me. First, when down 21-10, Stony Brook faced 4th-8 on the UMass 28. The wind was against them, so rather then attempt a 45 yard field goal, he sent the punt team on. Wait... 4th-8 from the opponents 28, and you're punting?!?!? What are you hoping to gain? 20 yards of field position? Is gaining that worth giving up an opportunity to score? Of course, the punter kicked it right into the endzone and Stony Brook gained a grand total of 8 yards of field position.

Then, when UMass was about to kick the field goal right before half, there were 40 seconds left and the clock was running. Of course UMass let time nearly expire before kicking it. Stony Brook had a time out and for some reason chose not to use it. 40 seconds is plenty of time to return the kick and run a few plays. He was just content to go to the lockerroom down by 7. If I were a Stony Brook fan, the coaching would have infuriated me today. Thankfully I'm not a Stony Brook fan.

Unfortunately, Kyle didn't have a great game this week, going 12-24 with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns. Unfortunately, there were a few bombs brought back as a result of penalties and there was a 60 yard beauty that would have been a touchdown if not for a fabulous defensive play by Stony Brook. As a result, he wasn't one of the three players selected for the postgame press conference. Therefore, I do not have anything for the new segment, Kyle's Confident Quote of the Week. If it's any consilation, the gate to get into my seats is near the UMass Lockerroom and while waiting to get in I saw Kyle standing outside alone, looking quite confident. Havens is quickly moving up my list of favorite UMass Athletes.