UMass (1-5) can salvage a disappointing three-game homestand with a victory over the Toledo Rockets on Saturday (noon) at McGuirk Stadium.
The Minutemen opened the stretch with hard-luck losses to New Mexico and Arkansas State, and the Rockets are the toughest opponent of the three.
The Rockets are 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the West Division of the MAC and they clobbered the Minutemen 55-10 last season. The need for a win takes on greater urgency because UMass plays at No. 6 Penn State on Oct. 14.
“We’ve got to have it,” said UMass coach Don Brown, who is in the second season of his massive rebuilding process. “Obviously we are healthier on the offensive side and that’s a good thing and we just have to get off on the right foot and go fast.
“That’s really been our push and we’ve met on it as a staff and the approaches we can make. We are working hard so we can be ready to go when the gun goes off.”
Getting off to a fast start has been nonexistent for the Minutemen since they rolled New Mexico State 41-30 in the season opener at Los Cruces, N.M., on Aug. 26.
The Minutemen’s combination of sluggish starts on offense and major mistakes on defense have resulted in unmanageable first-half deficits in the five games since New Mexico State. But those defects were particularly glaring against New Mexico and Arkansas State because they were clearly the more winnable matches of the season.
New Mexico had just lost to New Mexico State the game before, but the Lobos jumped to a 28-14 halftime lead in the homestand opener. The Minutemen battled back to tie the game, only to be outscored 6-3 in overtime in a 34-31 loss.
The Minutemen had injured quarterback Taisun Phommachanh, who went down with an undisclosed injury in the second game at Auburn, back under center for Arkansas State. Phommachanh enjoyed a statistically sound game against ASU by completing 29-of-38 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown with one pick.
UMass was quickly reduced to a one-dimensional offense because Arkansas State led 17-0 after the first quarter and 31-10 at the half in a 52-28 victory. Phommachanh was sacked four times for minus 35 yards in the process.
“I guess you put the blame on me because I’m certainly not putting it on the players,” said Brown. “The bottom line is we have to get off on the right foot.”
