The Professor - The Coaching Career of James Xavier

[The JZA]

Buffalo stacked you boys up, sheesh 4 turnovers by the QB, this is one game I'm sure he's glad put behind him.

Rebuild some of that confidence against CC

[Captain Canada]

‣ ‣ CFB 2024 Regular Season, Week 4 - Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Hadley, Massachusetts
(0-0, 0-0 FCS) Central Connecticut State Blue Devils at UMass Minutemen (1-2, 0-0 IND)

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CCSU | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3
MASS | 7 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 41

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Phommachanh, UMass dominates on way to win against FCS foe

After a disastrous effort last week against Buffalo, it seemed too good to be true that UMass got to have their reset of the season against Central Connecticut State University, an FCS foe. The defense turned in the performance of a lifetime while starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh tossed four touchdowns on the way to a 41-3 victory.

“We didn’t play mistake-free football, let's not get it twisted,” commented head coach Don Brown. “But we needed this for our team’s overall confidence. It felt good to put a dominant victory in the win column. We’re going to try and build on this.”

The team got touchdowns from most of their offensive stars, as T.Y. Harding and Jakobie Keeney-James combined for three touchdowns. Running back Jalen John scored his customary short-yardage touchdown, running over defenders with his violent running style.

“It felt good, man,” said quarterback Taisun Phommachanh, rebounding after a brutal performance against Buffalo. “Still some things to take care of, for sure. Throwing that interception was really painful because we had a good thing going for most of the game. I really want to get all of that taken care of.”

Offensive coordinator James Xavier was questioned as to why he never subbed in any of his backups during the game, namely freshman quarterback Ahmad Haston.

“Getting live, positive reps for our starters was of the utmost importance for us. We got to try some things against Central Connecticut that we cannot quite do when we’re practicing. The guys who didn’t get the opportunity to play today know what we were about. Their time will come. I’m happy with how the snap count ended up.”

“We’ve got to build on this,” mentioned star receiver Jakobie Keeney-James, continuing his red-hot start individually for the Minutemen. “We can do great things as a talented squad when we’re all on the same page.”

The team heads back onto the road next week when they face off against the Miami University Redhawks.

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Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
T.Y. Harding, 6-yard pass from Taisun Phommachanh (Riley Moore kick) [3:59]
Tommy Gaines, 30-yard field goal [0:46]

2nd Quarter
Jakobie Keeney-James, 14-yard pass from Taisun Phommachanh (Riley Moore kick) [5:20]
Riley Moore, 40-yard field goal [0:02]

3rd Quarter
Jakobie Keeney-James, 1-yard pass from Taisun Phommachanh (Riley Moore kick) [6:30]

Quarter 4
Jalen John, 4-yard run (Riley Moore kick) [5:51]
Dominick Mazotti, 19-yard pass from Taisun Phommachanh (Riley Moore kick) [5:30]
Riley Moore, 23-yard field goal [0:30]

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Player Stats
QB Taisun Phommachanh: 28-39, 280 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 fumble (recovered)
QB Davon Wingate-Wilson: 9-18, 95 passing yards, 3 interceptions

HB Jalen John: 15 carries, 91 yards, touchdown
HB C.J. Hester: 13 carries, 61 yards, 2 receptions, 12 yards
HB Blue Redmond: 6 carries, 8 yards

WR T.Y. Harding: 8 receptions, 64 yards, touchdown
WR Jakobie Keeney-James: 6 receptions, 79 yards, 2 touchdowns
WR Starling Galban: 6 receptions, 58 yards
TE Matt Smith: 4 receptions, 38 yards
WR Kaleb Sheffield: 4 receptions, 57 yards

DE Etinosa Reuben: 3 tackles, tackle for loss
CB Arsheen Jiles: 2 tackles, interception
DE Louce Julien: 2 tackles, tackle for loss, 1 sack
S Jayvon Perriman: 11 tackles
S Quan Boozer: 15 tackles, interception
DE Josiah Evans III: 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack

[Captain Canada]

Week 4 Top Stories
All eyes will be on the highly anticipated matchup between #6 Alabama and #2 Georgia.
#18 Clemson falls to rival #13 NC State thanks to 4 catches, 122 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns from Noah Rogers.
#24 USC shakes up the rankings with a 39-37 overtime victory over #11 Michigan. Josaiah Stewart had 4 sacks in a losing effort.
#13 Penn State narrowly avoids the upset against Kent State, defending home field advantage with a 38-35 victory.

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Heisman Watchlist
WR Isaiah Bond » 2 receptions, 6 receptions, 51 receiving yards, 4 carries, 36 rushing yards, touchdown
QB Haynes King » 26-40, 310 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 8 carries, 30 rushing yards
QB Will Howard » 21-32, 227 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 11 carries, 88 rushing yards
QB Quinn Ewers » 24-37, 195 passing yards, touchdown, 6 carries, 36 rushing yards
QB Taylor Green » 20-31, 212 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception, 10 carries, 75 rushing yards, touchdown

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Biggest Fallers
#11 » #16 Michigan (L 39-37 vs #15 USC)
#9 » #19 LSU (L 45-43 vs UCLA)
# 17 » #23 Iowa (L 20-13 at Minnesota)

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Players of the Week
WR Kenny Johnson (Pittsburgh): 10 receptions, 127 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns
OLB Austin Moore (Kansas State): 6 tackles, 3 sacks, forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries

[djp73]

maybe that will be a jumping off point for y'all

[Captain Canada]

maybe that will be a jumping off point for y'all

Still going to chill on our expectations this year. We still have Missouri and Georgia on the horizon.

[Captain Canada]

Week 5 Preview: at Miami (OH)


Record: 2-1, 0-0 MAC
Head Coach: Chuck Martin
Offensive Scheme: Spread
Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3

Team Leaders
Passing: Brett Gabbert (50-85, 527 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 interceptions)
Rushing: Keyon Mozee (40 carries, 216 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns)
Receiving: Reggie Virgil (18 catches, 247 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns)
Blocking: 6 sacks allowed, 30 PPG
Defense: Corban Hondru (22 tackles, 2 deflections)

Injuries
DT Dalvin Ellerbe, Sophomore - Foot Fracture (6 weeks) [Out]

Miami (OH) Projected Starters
QB #5 Brett Gabbert, R-Senior | 6’0”, 210 lbs | 81 overall
HB #3 Keyon Mozee, Senior | 5’7”, 187 lbs | 86 overall
WR #11 Javon Tracy, R-Sophomore | 6’0”, 206 lbs | 82 overall
WR #0 Reggie Virgil, Junior | 6’4”, 190 lbs | 81 overall
WR #15 Cade McDonald, R-Senior | 5’11”, 200 lbs | 78 overall
TE #89 Jack Coldiron, R-Senior | 6’5”, 258 lbs | 76 overall
LT #56 Reid Holskey, R-Senior | 6’6”, 306 lbs | 79 overall
LG #64 Kolby Borders, Senior | 6’6”, 316 lbs | 73 overall
C #77 Charlie Nank, R-Junior | 6’4”, 316 lbs | 78 overall
RG #71 John Young, Senior | 6’6”, 324 lbs | 78 overall
RT #70 Will Jados, R-Junior | 6’8”, 307 lbs | 79 overall
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DE #8 Brian Ugwu, R-Senior | 6’3”, 256 overall | 83 overall
DE #11 Corey Suttle, R-Senior | 6’4”, 278 overall | 80 overall
DT #52 Nasir Washington, R-Junior | 6’4”, 269 lbs | 74 overall
NT #96 Kobe Hilton, R-Senior | 6’3”, 254 lbs | 73 overall
OLB #15 Matt Salopek, R-Senior | 6’1”, 230 lbs | 95 overall
MLB #10 Ty Wise, Senior | 6’2”, 249 lbs | 90 overall
OLB #12 Corban Hondru, R-Junior | 6’1”, 227 lbs | 72 overall
CB #13 Raion Strader, Sophomore | 6’0”, 182 lbs | 82 overall
CB #14 Caleb Tubbs, R-Junior | 6’1”, 184 lbs | 75 overall
FS #29 Silas Walters, R- Junior | 6’1”, 198 lbs | 78 overall
SS #16 Eli Blakey, R-Junior | 6’2”, 214 lbs | 78 overall
K #31 Dom Dzioban, R- Junior | 6’1”, 208 lbs | 77 overall
P #35 Alec Bevelhimer, Senior | 6’3”, 213 lbs | 79 overall
KR #10 Kam Perry, R-Sophomore | 5’9”, 168 lbs | 90 overall

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Coach James Xavier's Offensive Gameplan

"Our goal as an offense is to not get too ahead of ourselves after a dominant performance against Central Connecticut State last week. Yes, we solved a lot of issues and played some incredible football, but that wasn't exactly the toughest test we would see. This defense has a stout front seven and plays hard-hitting football. As we always hammer home during meetings, we need to take care of the football and play detail-oriented football. Those are a few of the notes I provided the gentlemen this week. We can win this game if we stick to our gameplan and try not to do too much."

[Captain Canada]

‣ CFB 2024 Regular Season, Week 5 - Fred C. Yager Stadium, Oxford, Ohio
(2-2, 0-0 IND) UMass Minutemen at Miami Redhawks (2-1, 0-0 MAC)

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MASS | 10 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 31
M-OH | 0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 24

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UMass offense adjusts in second half, explodes for big comeback

In one of the more unique challenges of UMass’s young season thus far, quarterback Taisun Phommachanh and the offense managed to lock in at the right moments and battle back for a 21-point comeback in the fourth quarter to escape Oxford with a 31-24 win over Miami University.

UMass hustled to an early 10-point lead thanks to a field goal from kicker Riley Moore and an impressive catch from receiver Jakobie Keeney-James in the back of the end zone. The offensive stalled out in the next quarter while Redhawks' quarterback Cade McDonald dominated with one long touchdown and a short touchdown pass, both going to Cade McDonald.

Gabbert managed a third passing touchdown to open up the second half, and the team jumped to a 24-10 lead while the UMass offense continued to sputter.

“We needed to recalibrate and go back to the things that worked for us,” said wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James, enjoying one of the hottest starts for a wide receiver in the country. “We were being too cute offensively. We needed to get some chunk plays, see something just go right for us.”

That’s precisely what they did, with Keeney-James streaking down the field early in the fourth quarter for a 93-yard bomb to open up the scoring. The defense held tough and forced a three and out. The Minutemen marched down the field once again, putting together an impressive drive that culminated in CJ Hester being found out of the backfield for a touchdown.

Jalen John would muscle his way for a 10-yard scamper to take the lead for the Minutemen, trucking over the Redhawks’ secondary on his way to the end zone. The defense would hold once again, and Massachusetts would escape with the victory.

“Resilience was the name of the game, certainly,” said offensive coordinator James Xavier, finally seeing his offense picking up the pieces after an inconsistent-at-best start to the season. “We don’t always want to be playing the superhero, coming to life late in the game. A win’s a win, though - they came correct when they needed to.”

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Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Riley Moore, 38-yard field [6:41]
Jakobie Keeney-James, 16-yard pass from Taisun Phommachanh (Riley Moore kick) [2:13]

2nd Quarter
Cade McDonald, 68-yard pass from Brett Gabbert (Dom Dzioban kick) [6:16]
Cade McDonald, 4-yard pass from Brett Gabbert (Dom Dzioban kick) [1:09]

3rd Quarter
Jack Coldiron, 13-yard pass from Brett Gabbert (Dom Dzioban kick) [6:22]
Dom Dzioban, 37-yard field goal [1:11]

Quarter 4
Jakobie Keeney-James, 93-yard pass from Taisun Phommachanh (Riley Moore kick) [8:04]
CJ Hester, 5-yard pass from Taisun Phommachanh (Riley Moore kick) [3:00]
Jalen John, 10-yard run (Riley Moore kick) [1:03]

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Player Stats
QB Taisun Phommachanh: 29-45, 390 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
QB Brett Gabbert: 25-41, 333 passing yards, 3 touchdowns

HB Jalen John: 14 carries, 92 rushing yards, touchdown, 3 receptions, 28 receiving yards
HB C.J. Hester: 8 carries, 53 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 27 yards, touchdown
HB Kevin Davis: 6 carries, 18 rushing yards
HB Keyon Mozee: 4 carries, 50 rushing yards

WR T.Y. Harding: 6 receptions, 89 receiving yards
WR Jakobie Keeney-James: 5 receptions, 129 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
TE Dominick Mazotti: 6 receptions, 78 receiving yards
TE Jack Coldiron: 7 receptions, 93 receiving yards, touchdown
WR Cade McDonald: 6 receptions, 104 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
WR Reggie Virgil: 5 receptions, 65 receiving yards

MLB Jalen Stewart: 9 tackles, 0.5 sacks
DT Tyson Watson: 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks
DE Etinosa Reuben: 5 tackles, 1 sack
S Eli Blakey: 11 tackles, 1 interception
OLB Corban Hondru: 7 tackles, tackle for loss
DT Nasir Washington: 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

[Captain Canada]

Week 5 Top Stories
#2 Georgia are riding high after a statement victory over #6 Alabama, 35-30, rising to #1 in the country.
#8 Utah narrowly avoids the upset, beating #9 Arizona in overtime 44-41. Connor O’Toole has 4 tackles for loss.
#5 Ole Miss flies up the Top 25 standings after dominating #22 Kentucky, 50-24
Will star Bear Alexander (2 sacks in loss to Wisconsin) and #24 USC be able to salvage things after their recent loss?

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Heisman Watchlist
QB Will Howard » 17-26, 212 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 9 carries, 26 rushing yards, touchdown
QB Grayson McCall » 17-20, 233 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 6 carries, 50 rushing yards, touchdown
WR Isaiah Bond » 3 receptions, 27 receiving yards
QB Dillon Gabriel » 24-31, 454 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 rush touchdown
QB Jaxson Dart » 13-20, 185 passing yards, touchdown, 9 carries, 34 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns

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Biggest Fallers
#7 » #13 Notre Dame (L 42-20 vs #7 Louisville)
#13 » #20 Penn State (L 24-17 vs #23 Illinois)
# 15 » #24 USC (L 24-10 vs #15 Wisconsin)

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Players of the Week
WR Troy Stellato (Clemson): 9 receptions, 123 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 carries, 78 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns
DT Nasir Washington (Miami-OH): 6 tackles, 2 sacks

[Captain Canada]

Week 6 Preview: at Northern Illinois


Record: 1-3, 0-1 MAC
Head Coach: Thomas Hammock
Offensive Scheme: Pro Style
Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5

Team Leaders
Passing: Ethan Hampton (78-144, 968 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 interceptions)
Rushing: Antario Brown (63 carries, 316 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 fumble)
Receiving: Kenji Lewis (15 receptions, 208 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns)
Blocking: 6 sacks allowed, 24.8 PPG
Defense: Kevin Session (16 tackles, 3.5 sacks)

Injuries
DT Devonte O’Malley - Broken Collarbone (2 weeks) [Out]

Northern Illinois Projected Starters
QB #2 Ethan Hampton, R-Junior | 6’3”, 216 lbs | 79 overall
HB #1 Antario Brown, Senior | 5’10”, 219 lbs | 84 overall
FB #49 Brock Lampe, Senior | 6’1”, 252 lbs | 84 overall
WR #19 Andrew McElroy, Senior | 6’3”, 192 lbs | 76 overall
WR #0 Cam Thompson, R-Sophomore | 6’0”, 198 lbs | 73 overall
TE #81 Grayson Barnes, Senior | 6’5”, 225 lbs | 83 overall
LT #54 Evan Malcore, R-Sophomore | 6’6”, 298 lbs | 79 overall
LG #76 John Champe, Senior | 6’4”, 321 lbs | 82 overall
C #65 Logan Zschernitz, R-Senior | 6’3”, 305 lbs | 85 overall
RG #79 J.J. Lippe, R- Senior | 6’5”, 311 lbs | 81 overall
RT #60 Evan Buss, R-Senior | 6’6”, 312 lbs | 78 overall
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DE #4 Raishein Thomas, Senior | 6’4”, 262 lbs | 81 overall
DE #52 Ivan Davis, Senior | 6’3”, 254 lbs | 73 overall
DT #51 Cade Haberman, Senior | 6’2”, 300 lbs | 78 overall
EDGE #26 Jaden Dolphin, Senior | 6’2”, 220 lbs | 81 overall
MLB #44 Christian Fuhrman, Senior | 6’1”, 235 lbs | 77 overall
OLB #25 Jake Gassaway, R-Sophomore | 6’0”, 225 lbs | 62 overall
CB #2 Javaughn Byrd, Senior | 6’0”, 191 lbs | 82 overall
CB #3 Jacob Finley, R-Sophomore | 5’11”, 176 lbs | 76 overall
Slot #1 Jashon Prophete, Senior | 5’11”, 187 lbs | 79 overall
FS #9 Nate Valcarcel, Senior | 6’1”, 192 lbs | 82 overall
SS #15 Santana Banner, R-Freshman | 6’3”, 202 lbs | 74 overall
K #92 Kanon Woodill, R-Senior | 5’11”, 167 lbs | 66 overall
P #98 Tom Foley, R-Senior | 6’4”, 234 lbs | 71 overall
KR #8 Dane Pardridge, Sophomore | 5’11”, 175 lbs | 84 overall

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Coach James Xavier's Offensive Gameplan

"Something we want to do is provide a steadiness to our team. We've been doing this where we either come out red-hot and peter off as the game continues, or we don't come out at all and have to dig deep to get the win out, like last weekend. I like how Taisun [Phommachanh] is coming together, so continuing to get him comfortable commanding the offense is something we want to emphasize. Lord knows Jakobie [Keeney-James] is going to want the ball early and often, and we plan on getting it to him."

[Soapy]

Taisun is here.