FOXBOROUGH — As he sat in the postgame press conference following Saturday’s 26-7 loss to Boston College, UMass coach Mark Whipple was frustrated with sophomore quarterback Ross Comis’ play, but he wasn’t ready to give up on him.
In his second career start, Comis had three turnovers — two fumbles and an interception — and finished with 145 yards, completing 11 of 28 passes.
In last week’s loss to Florida, a late first-half sack cost UMass 17-yards and helped give the Gators better field position that became a field goal. Whipple then wanted him to throw the ball away and was disappointed Comis repeated his mistake against BC.
Saturday’s late sack proved costlier because Comis fumbled the ball in the red zone, costing UMass a potential field goal that could have changed momentum.
“That was disappointing. We had a field goal there,” Whipple said. “If you don’t have the guy, those are the times you have to get rid of it. You can’t lose the ball. That’s a lesson to be learned. At certain times you’ve got to know the situation. We’ll learn from it.”
Asked if he was frustrated with Comis’ overall play, Whipple put some of the blame on Comis and some on the quality of defenses UMass has faced.
“He lost the game. As a quarterback you don’t like to lose,” Whipple said. “He has only two touchdowns in two games. A lot of it has to do with the people we’re playing. Their numbers speak for themselves. … I’m disappointed for today, but I’m not disappointed for the rest of the year. We have to get back to work.”
Whipple stayed with Comis the entire game and said he wasn’t contemplating a change under center.
“He’s a sophomore. He’s the best guy we got,” Whipple said. “The other guys around him have to help him. We’ve got to run the ball better.
Comis wasn’t in the postgame press conference. UMass spokesperson Molly O’Mara said Comis wasn’t injured but was receiving medical treatment.
Senior fullback John Robinson-Woodgett said the offense needed to protect Comis better.
“We definitely can’t give up sacks trying to come back,” he said. “We have to give Ross time in the pocket.”
CROWD – The game didn’t draw as well as the 2014 meeting, which drew 30,479, but the 25,112 was among the Minutemen’s biggest crowds at Gillette.
TAJ-AMIR TORRES – In his first game against UMass, Amherst native Taj Amir-Torres had two tackles for Boston College.
INJURIES ETC. – Defensive lineman Peter Angeh missed the game with and undisclosed injury. Cornerback Jordin Hamilton suffered a shoulder injury during the game and was in a sling at the end of the game.
Junior college transfer Davone Hall, who joined the Minutemen over the summer, is no longer on the team. O’Mara said the department didn’t have a comment on why he left.
MISCELLANEOUS – Shane Huber’s second quarter interception was the first of his career. … Junior college transfer Rod Jones Jr. made his debut and made two tackles for UMass.