UMass Minutemen Roster 2019 Minutemen Roster

Head Coach: Mark Whipple        2017 Salary: $472,904        Offensive Coordinator: Mark Whipple       Defensive Coordinator: Ed Pinkham         

Stadium: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium       Surface: Turf        City: Amherst        State: Massachusetts

It was a tale of two seasons last year for the Massachusetts Minutemen. After losing their first six games to open the season, UMass won four of their last six to salvage the season. UMass has something to build on as it seeks to reach its first bowl game ever this season, but the Minutemen are always a wild and unpredictable team.

Umass is an offensive power in the making. Senior quarterback Andrew Ford is a sound decision maker in the pocket, throwing only four interceptions last season. He is a pro prospect who is a capable offensive leader. Ford will be behind a veteran offensive line and can seemingly move the offense at will. Andy Isabella is a legitimate burner at wide receiver who has big-play potential with his blinding speed.

The Minutemen defense was inconsistent last season, mixing some dominant performance in with clunkers. UMass put up some great showings against some superior opponents, holding both BYU and Tennessee to under 20 points. There is some turnover up front as there are three new starters on the defensive line. Last year, the Minutemen thrived on pressuring the quarterback, but struggled against the run. Linebacker Byron Varr, a seventh-year senior, leads the defense.

As an independent, UMass is often forced to play a difficult schedule. This year sees the Minutemen taking on Georgia, South Florida and BYU. The schedule is tough enough that a bowl game may be a stretch for UMass unless they find a way to pick off one extra win.