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The Massachusetts Minutemen have been waiting a long time to take the field for the 2015 football season, and on Saturday they finally get their chance as the visit the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder. UMass' week 1 bye meant they were at home practicing and watching while the rest of the college football universe got underway, including the Buffs.
UMass comes into their season opener with expectations higher than they have ever been since their move to FBS four years ago. They return more starters than any team in the country and have been named the most experienced team in the NCAA by college football guru Phil Steele. 2014 First Team All-MAC selctions QB Blake Frohnapfel, WR Tajae Sharpe, and ILB Jovan Santos-Knox are all back for their senior seasons, and while the Minutemen did lose First Team All-MAC TE Jean Sifrin to the NFL draft, their pro-style offense led by head coach Mark Whipple figures to be as formidable as ever. The Minutemen have their sights set on being bowl-eligible this season at worst, and MAC Champions at best.
Colorado stumbled out of the gate in week one, losing on the road to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in what can best be described as a sloppy and disappointing showing for the Buffaloes. Head coach Mike MacIntyre's team has lofty goals of their own this season, and a loss to Hawaii was not among them. They will look to come out strong at home and even their record at 1-1 against a Minutemen team that has not traveled this far west or played at such a high elevation since the 2006 FCS playoffs against the Montana Grizzlies.
Quick Game Info
Game location, time: Saturday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m. EST
Location: Folsom Field in Boulder, CO.
TV: The game will air on the Pac-12 Network's 'Mountain' channel.
Online streaming: The game will be available for online streaming on the Pac-12 Network's website where you can log in with your cable provider information if you don't receive the 'Mountain' channel as part of your cable package but do receive the Pac-12 Network. It is also available on the Pac-12 Network's app, available for Web, iOS and Android devices, using the same criteria.
Radio: The game can be heard on the radio in Massachusetts and New England at 105.5 FM WEEI (Springfield/Amherst), 95.9 FM WATD (South Shore), 1200 AM WXKS (Boston, Manchester, Providence), and 830 AM WCRN (Worcester). You can stream the audio here if you're outside Massachusetts, or you can download the Tune-In Radio App for mobile listening.
Players to Watch
Blake Frohnapfel (QB, UMass) - Frohnapfel transferred from Marshall to UMass without ever having started a game. Now, after last season's record-setting performance, he's on every pre-season QB award watch list there is. He led the MAC in passing last season and was fourth in the nation at 334.5 yards per game, and he missed the final two games with a broken leg. This season he's looking for more of the same, and the thin air of Boulder combined with a questionable Colorado secondary is a great starting point.
Tajae Sharpe (WR, UMass) - Frohnapfel's favorite target from last season is back as well, and Sharpe is on pace to break some records of his own. This season should see Sharpe become the Minutemen's all-time leader in catches and receiving yards. He's already on NFL scout's radar and will be looking to increase his draft stock while helping the Minutemen contend in the MAC East.
Sefo Liufau (QB, Colorado) - Liufau can beat teams with his arm and, if necessary, with his legs. His first start this season against Hawaii yielded a line of 23/40 for 158 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT to go along with 18 carries for 81 yards. That would be the exception, not the rule, as last year in Foxborough Liufau went 26/42 for 318 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. He'll want to duplicate last season's performance again on Saturday.
Nelson Spruce (WR, Colorado) - When Liufau makes his reads, his first option is Spruce, who is Colorado's best receiver. Spruce shredded the Minutemen secondary last season for 10 catches, 145 yards and 2 TDs. He was also held in check against Hawaii (8/69/0) but will be looking to break out against UMass. The Minutemen will look to redshirt senior Randall Jette, a pre-season All-MAC 1st team cornerback, to slow Spruce down this year.