Minutemen Rise to the Occassion in 2OT - AGG_JD's Dynasty

AGG_JD's Dynasty Blog

Minutemen Rise to the Occassion in 2OT

Posted on July 14, 2012 at 05:40 AM.

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[Nashville] When the 7-0 UMass Minutemen headed down to Nashville to face the 1-6 Vanderbilt Commodores, the last thing they expected was to see over time. Instead, they went to double over time before adding their 8th win of the season!

With QB Quinn taking over for the injured Pagel, UMass battled Vanderbilt toe to toe in a true gridiron battle. UMass drew first blood halfway through the first quarter with a 41 yard connection from Quinn to Dowling. Dowling had 8 receptions for 162 yards, but would never see the end zone again. Then Vandy struck back in the beginning of the second with a 10 yard pass from Carta Samuels to Boyd. Injuries were a plenty as Cox was one of the key injuries. He was out for the game. Williams joined him later with a hip pointer. Broadnax was called up.

UMass opened the forth quarter with a beautiful drive that gave them the lead with a Levengood FG. It held until 0:18 seconds left in the game. As the Commodores lined up to kick the tying FG, coach Wilson off course attempted to freeze the kicker, but to no reward. This game was going to OT.

UMass lost the toss and Vandy chose to go on defense first. UMass scored on 4 running plays, ultimately resulting in a Broadnax TD. Vandy went for blood right out the gates and responded on a 21 yard TD pass. Another Carta Samuels & Boyd connection. Off to our second over time, Vandy got the ball first. Two rushes for a first down and that was the end of progress. They settled for the FG. UMass took the field knowing that a TD would get them home. The Minutemen attacked with the read option. FIRST DOWN! Again. Second and goal on the 4 yard line. Broadnax took the dive handoff on the following play and found a little crease to fall forward for the touchdown. Oh what a celebration that ensued afterwards.

"This is how football is meant to be played! No team is to be taken likely! I told my players in the locker room that the opposing team has nothing to lose. A win against us would gain them so much more. Vandy played a great game. On this day, we just bested them," spoke coach Wilson after the game. "I was proud of how each player stepped up today. Quinn stepped in for Pagel. He understands he is the leader of this team now! And Broadnax coming through after losing not 1, but 2 running backs." Cox and Williams are expected to be back next week.

Next week the road continues as UMass visits Northern Illinois. Could the Minutemen be arriving as a top 25 ranked team? We shall see.

Massachusetts Minutemen at Vanderbilt Commodores
Oct 27, 2012	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Massachusetts Minutemen (8-0)	7	7	0	3	13	30
Vanderbilt Commodores (1-7)	0	14	0	3	10	27

Team Stats Comparison
	MASS	VAN
Total Offense	440	375
Rushing Yards	115	92
Passing Yards	325	283
First Downs	21	18
Punt Return Yards	20	10
Kick Return Yards	71	118
Total Yards	531	503
Turnovers	3	2
3rd Down Converstion	4-11 (36%)	7-18 (38%)
4th Down Conversion	0-1 (0%)	1-2 (50%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0 (0%)	0-0 (0%)
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	4-3-1 (100%)	4-2-2 (100%)
Penalties	4 - 30	1 - 5
Posession Time	16:50	15:10

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		MASS	VAN
4:35	(MASS) B. Dowling, 41 Yd pass from M. Quinn (B. Levengood kick)	7	0
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		MASS	VAN
7:51	(VAN) C. Boyd, 10 Yd pass from A. Carta Samuels (R. Fowler kick)	7	7
4:46	(MASS) M. Cox, 2 Yd run (B. Levengood kick)	14	7
2:30	(VAN) Z. Stacy, 17 Yd run (R. Fowler kick)	14	14
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		MASS	VAN
6:37	(MASS) B. Levengood, 27 Yd FG	17	14
0:18	(VAN) R. Fowler, 23 Yd FG	17	17
OVERTIME SCORING		MASS	VAN
--	(MASS) J. Broadnax, 2 Yd run (B. Levengood kick)	24	17
--	(VAN) C. Boyd, 21 Yd pass from A. Carta Samuels (R. Fowler kick)	24	24
--	(VAN) R. Fowler, 31 Yd FG	24	27
--	(MASS) J. Broadnax, 4 Yd run	30	27