Earlier this week, I spoke with Stephen Hewitt, the Daily Collegian's co-sports editor and football beat reporter, about what he's seen from the Minutemen this season and how the team's expectations have lined up with their performance in their first year in Mid-American Conference play. Here's a transcript of our conversation, edited for content and clarity.
The Post: What have you seen from UMass’ young talent this season? I know it has been a rough go thus far, but have you seen any positives out of them?
Stephen: “They’re rolling with a lot of FCS-level talent players. Their recruits are all FCS talents recruited under the previous coach, Kevin Morris. Coach Charley Molnar has been stressing that they are going to be out-talented in most, if not all of their games. So far, that has definitely been the case, especially with their first four games being against pretty good opponents with UConn, Indiana, Miami and Michigan. They’re rolling with a lot of inexperienced players that are seeing their first snaps this season.”
The Post: Each of the Minutemen’s games at the FBS level have been against pretty tough teams, which isn’t exactly a recipe for success. Does that make this weekend’s game against Ohio any less intimidating for UMass?
Stephen: “They’ve played four games already against high-profile opponents — Ohio’s no different — so they know it’s a learning experience. They’re learning along the way, and are definitely improving, which is something I’ve noticed. Between points and yardage and even their defense, which stepped up this weekend against Miami, there’s not too much they haven’t seen thus far. It should be definitely an interesting game this weekend against Ohio.”
The Post: UMass played its best game of the season in its first Mid-American Conference game last week against Miami. The RedHawks are arguably the weakest team the Minutemen have played in 2012, but it was their best showing nonetheless. Was last week’s game a bit more of an encouraging note for UMass?
Stephen: “It’s definitely a promising note. Coach Molnar stressed last week that after the first three games, the Mid-American Conference is where they want to make their mark. It’s where they’re going to be for the next few years — the foreseeable future, at least — so these are the games that matter for UMass. It’s definitely an encouraging sign last week against Miami that they were able to rack up that much yardage and score as many points as they did, which is the most they’ve scored all season … As the season wears on, as they play more MAC teams, they’re definitely going to get more accustomed to how FCS football really rolls.”
The Post: For Ohio fans that haven’t seen or heard about much of the Minutemen’s offense, what type of scheme do they use?
Stephen: “It’s a really unique situation, to be honest, because Molnar came from Notre Dame last year with the offensive mindset that he wanted to put together at UMass, where they line up four or five wide receivers pretty much all the time with (redshirt freshman quarterback Mike) Wegzyn in the shotgun. So it’s kind of a surprise, especially last week when Michael Cox got almost 200 yards rushing, that he has been (so prominent in the offense.) That’s not exactly the blueprint that Molnar is trying to put together here. It’s more of a passing offense that he was trying to put together, but Cox has shown pieces of brilliance last week. You probably saw his front flip into the endzone (against Miami) on Sportscenter.
It’s an interesting situation because he transferred from Michigan last year, and is getting pretty much the starting role here for the first time in his collegiate career.
The Post: If Molnar favors the pass so heavily, why have the Minutemen seen such limited results through the air? They haven’t thrown for a touchdown all season.
Stephen: Mike Wegzyn is a redshirt freshman who is seeing the field for the first time (in college.) Molnar put him right out there in the opening game against UConn without any worries, and he’s been throwing the ball well in preseason camp and whatnot. He’s still learning the ropes, but he’s a big guy — six foot five and 230 pounds — who likes to run the ball a lot. He’s still learning the system, which is tough for a redshirt freshman quarterback, but has shown signs of improvement. Last week he threw a couple difficult balls through traffic, but he’s still making some freshman mistakes, which is why you’re probably seeing the rushing game have as much of an impact as it has so far.
The Post: Come Saturday, how do you think the matchup will boil down? Will the Minutemen remain winless?
Stephen: Obviously, UMass is going to have a pretty tough go at it. Starting 0-4 they’re going to be pretty heavy underdogs going into it. I think the spread is something like 25 points, and if (Tyler) Tettleton plays it will probably be around 30. UMass has had some experience with his style of play, as they have played agains Tre Roberson and Denard Robinson, so I’m expecting the game to be close but I don’t think the Minutemen have it in them to beat a really good Ohio team that’s gotten some votes in the Top 25 Poll. I’m going to say Ohio 30, UMass 14 for a final score on Saturday.
Jim Ryan is the assistant sports editor of The Post. Follow him and The Post Sports on Twitter while they cover the Bobcats from Boston. Reach out to him at jr992810@ohiou.edu.
