For the first time since 1996, the University of Maine has beaten the UMass Minutemen in football on their field. It is also the first time since 2001 that Maine has beaten this team anywhere. UMaine did it with a blistering 4-headed RB attack that put up a 194-41 yard first-half rushing edge (and 300+ for the afternoon) and a 14-0 half time lead. The most impressive RB is a redshirt freshman from Lewiston, ME (you have to be from Maine to understand how cool that is, as our homegrown talent has often been overlooked) who is a beast at 6'2", 232, and reminds me of Brian Leonard. Mike Brusko is not a QB, but he has been running this team like clockwork (because they ONLY run, run, run) since the starter (Adam Farkes) went down with an injury weeks ago. That is also the last time UMaine lost a football game. UMass self-destructed as the tough Maine defense totally thwarted their running attack and forced QB Liam Coen to try to beat the Bears in the rain. SR. S (but CB-projection) Lamir Whetstone picked off 2 of his 4 intercepted balls, including the game clincher late, as Maine escaped on a missed extra point. This was a unique and satisfying win for Maine, as the last two times they played UMass at their house they had lost on missed extra points of their own!
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Maine Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin
Jhamal Fluellen 32 5' 8.5" 190 4.55 HB 2009: Still rounding back into shape after an injury that had kept him off the field for serveral weeks. Doesn't seem to be quite at 100% explosion yet. Explosive guy even at 80-90% who runs the edges well and can run surprisingly well between the tackles for his size. A poor man's Kevin Faulk. Value is enhanced by decent hands and KR skills. Never going to be a full time back, and is not quite the hands guy that Faulk is. One of 4 backs with 60+ yards rushing in this one. GRADE: Neutral
Jovan Belcher 9 6' 1.5" 228 4.75 DE 2009: Not really that evident a splash this afternoon, but kept constant pressure on the QB, and took the attention of two blockers often. Impressive guns on this kid. Makes plays from the backside in the running game constantly and that's what gets you into camp. Really compares favorably to former UMaine product and current Chargers' star, OLB Stephen Cooper. And that's where he'll end up too, despite playing DE this year. I like him in the 5th round. Intense, non-stop football player. Could be CAA DPOTY if UMaine makes the playoffs. GRADE: Neutral
Andrew Downey 10 6' 0.2" 225 4.85 OLB 2009: Solid performance by Downey in both facets of LB play today. Had a huge interception--and it was very acrobatic--and another PD in pass defense, and showed fluid drops and intelligent positioning. Also did well on edge plays bringing down the ballcarrier. Not enough speed for the next level, and a little undersized, but he is an elite CAA linebacker who will play for money somewhere, if he chooses. GRADE: Neutral
Ryan Canary 55 6' 2.0" 275 5.20 C 2009 : Very nice job run blocking. Plays much bigger than 275, and really wins with leverage and intensity. Not such a smart play late in the game when he received a PF for pushing after a play--giving UMass a chance to comeback when they were otherwise finished. It was a cheap call, but still--a senior should know better. No chance to judge his PP skills today, as Maine only through about 6-7 times. GRADE: Neutral
Lamir Whetstone 3 5' 11.4" 179 4.55 S 2009: Gets the game ball if I am giving it. Plays FS because Maine has better depth at CB than S, but he's a CB. Has CB movement and coverage skills. Not flashy, but steady. Is not going to shut down big NFL receivers, but he has some coverage skills to make you think he might get into a camp. Has 5 picks on the year, and his second one today put the game away. That ballhawking may get him a phone call. GRADE: Positive.
College: Massachusetts Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin
Courtney Robinson 4 5' 11.3" 195 4.45 CB 2009: Good, legitimate size and tech. Really plays the run well for a CB. If he is 4.45 he'll be in camp. Had a solid all around game today. Had an impressive PD in the first series. Nice hips. Wish I could see him against a FBS-passing school, just once...GRADE: Slightly positive
Liam Coen 12 6' 1.8" 220 4.85 QB 2009: Coen has really struggled this year to take his game to a new level, and your senior year is NOT a time for that to happen. He is surrounded by less talent than in the past, true..but you've got to make your own breaks sometimes, and instead, Coen is breaking himself. I doubt he's ever thrown 4 picks in a game before. Rain can't be blamed for everything, as it wasn't raining very hard at all early, and he still looked out of sync. Can run a little, and usually throws a nice ball, but he sailed a couple real stinkers out there today. Didn't show much touch except in spurts. Seemed to really lock onto one guy (Horne,) and that hurt him late. Strong arm though, and well-seasoned, and a nice resume of total work. He'll get to camp, but I doubt he ever gets above the practice squad and/or 3rd string for a weaker team. GRADE: Slightly negative
Sean Calicchio 63 6' 2.6" 310 5.25 OT 2009: OK job in both facets. Nothing to really get excited about. Did a nice job leading, especially after two of the starting O-linemen were knocked out of the game. Has a little position versatility (OG/C) but isn't going to really show much at the next level, is my guess. Not nasty enough. Not big enough. GRADE: Neutral
Sean Smalls 16 6' 0.2" 205 4.60 CB 2009: DNP...at least I never saw him...
OTHER NOTES:
UMaine: Maine has four backs who really contributed today. Turcotte is a future star. Underclassmen Pushaun Brown and Derek Session also made solid contributions to this victory and all three of these guys will be back to torture the CAA next year.
#22 Jr. CB Lionel Nixon, Jr. is a tough cover corner who will mix it up in the run game too.
Jr. LB Mark Masterson will be a PP next year.
UMass:
#2 Josh Jennings is their best LB and had a solid game.
#8 Jeremy Horne had a bog day catching the ball 8-130-1 and should be all-CAA easily.
#5 Jeromy Miles, a junior SS with pro size (6'2", 215) had a pick plus 5 tackles and may get a look for sure in 2010.