AMHERST — Just when UMass’ quarterback situation was looking settled, it’s again in upheaval.
After igniting the offense against Florida International and Mississippi State, Andrew Ford struggled in Saturday’s 31-24 loss to Tulane. He was 11-for-19 for 109 yards. He was intercepted once, albeit on a quirky play that wasn’t his fault, and fumbled once.
But after connecting on two touchdown passes in the game’s first four minutes, the Minutemen didn’t have a drive longer than six plays and never got the ball past Tulane’s 47 with Ford at the controls.
Ross Comis, who hadn’t even dressed the past two weeks with a shoulder injury, sparked the Minutemen. He was just 5-for-11 for 72 yards passing, but had six runs for 41 yards and led two fourth-quarter scoring drives.
UMass didn’t make either quarterback available in the postgame. Whipple expressed confidence in both passers going forward.
“We have two good ones. We’re playing (against) the American Conference. Look at what they have and look at what we have. It’s not like we’re playing on even fields,” Whipple said. “I have two guys I feel good about, and the one thing that was good was when I told Andrew I was going with Ross they were together and they’re pulling for each other. They both want to play.”
Whipple said the offense’s struggles weren’t entirely the fault of the quarterbacks.
“A lot of time the quarterback consistency — he’s not the one who (was called for holding), he’s not the one who didn’t line up right, although he is the one that has to get them lined up right,” Whipple said. “It’s kind of an all offense thing. We’ve practiced well these last three weeks on offense.”
INJURIES – The Minutemen entered the game shorthanded with linebacker Shane Huber and safety Lee Moses out with undisclosed injuries. Colbert Calhoun (12 tackles) started for Huber and Jesse Montiero (four tackles) replaced Moses.
Cornerbacks Jackson Porter and Jordin Hamilton returned to action. Porter was a starter before an injury, but Hamilton started upon return Saturday.
Linebacker/saftey hybrid Tedrick Lowery left the game early with an undisclosed injury and did not return, leaving true freshman James Bowe Jr. to play more than he had before.
ATTENDANCE – The attendance was listed at 14,892 for the homecoming game, a number that includes tickets distributed because the rainy weather appeared to drive down the crowd total.
KICKING – Logan Laurent’s 28-yard field goal in the second half was the Minutemen’s first of the season. It was the second time in as many weeks Whipple called on Laurent to kick despite calling Mike Caggiano, who handles extra points, his starter.
Laurent’s 58-yard punt was a career long.
Tulane had two quick-kick punts from quarterback Glen Cuiellette, who landed both inside UMass’ 20 when the Wave appeared to be trying to convert on fourth down.