Saturday Blitz
Fansided

UMass Football: Can the Minutemen improve in year two under Don Brown?

By Dante Pryor

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Don Brown of the Massachusetts Minutemen against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on November 19, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Don Brown of the Massachusetts Minutemen against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on November 19, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 19: Conner Weigman #15 of the Texas A&M Aggies with a quarterback keeper against UMass Football at Kyle Field on November 19, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 19: Conner Weigman #15 of the Texas A&M Aggies with a quarterback keeper against UMass Football at Kyle Field on November 19, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Can the UMass football defense continue to improve?

There was evidence of improvement in year one under Don Brown. The defensive improvement should come as little surprise since Brown is one of the finest defensive minds in college football. UMass football was last in scoring defense in 2021 (43.1 points per game allowed). They improved to 104th in scoring defense in 2022 (31.1 points per game allowed).

The defense allowed 117 fewer yards per game (486.6 in 2021 and 369.6 in 2022) and forced more turnovers per game (.08 in 2021 and 1.4 in 2022). The defensive line was better regarding getting push, tackles for loss, and quarterback pressures.

The secondary was the strength of the team, allowing 175 pass yards per game, picking off nine passes.

The Minutemen lose two defensive backs, Josh Wallace and Tanner Davis, from last year’s secondary, and linebacker Max Longman. Wallace was second on the team in interceptions, and Davis was second in forced fumbles.

Brown and new defensive coordinator Keith Dudzinski must get the pass rush going. The Minutemen were 114th in sacks last year. Also, they were 123rd in explosive plays allowed.

Brown and his staff brought in a lot of transfers on defense, but two of them are projected to start. Minnesota transfer Steven Ortiz and Arizona transfer Jerry Roberts are expected to start at cornerback and linebacker.

Home/Independent