UMass spring game: Defense seals victory with blocked kick as Minutemen aim to play complementary football in the fall

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Staff Writer

Published: 04-30-2023 11:56 AM

AMHERST – The offense faced a third and one with three minutes left holding a two-point lead. A first down could all but seal the game.

UMass handed the ball off to transfer running back Jalen John, and he plowed ahead for the conversion.

Had it not been in Saturday’s spring game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, that play would have been a likely game winner. But associate head coach and special teams coordinator Ben Albert had been on coach Don Brown all day about practicing kicks. The head coach called a timeout with 2 seconds remaining and sent out Cameron Carson for a 48-yard field goal.

That could also happen in a real game in a different scenario. Defensive lineman Billy Wooden blocked the kick, which gave the defense three points in the modified scoring format to seal an 18-17 victory. Brown’s defense also prevailed in his first spring game last season, but Saturday’s edition was a much more even showcase. More often than not, it resembled real football and simulated situations the Minutemen will face in the fall

“It's pretty obvious we’re much better than a year ago, especially on the offensive side,” Brown said. “I think we have the chance to play complementary football, and that's what we're shooting for as we move forward.”

The offense scored two touchdowns Saturday, two more than they put up in 2022. Running back Kay’Ron Adams plowed in for a one-yard score in the second quarter. Quarterback Brady Olson set up the play with a 60-yard arcing throw to George Johnson III down the left sideline.

Early enrollee freshman quarterback Ahmad Haston gave the offense its first lead with a 15-yard slant to Johnson that he ran into the end zone with 5½ minutes left.

Carson missed two field goals but hit one from 44 yards near the end of the second quarter. The offense scored how it normally does in a football game, while the defense received points for stopping drives, missed field goals and turnovers. Dorian Helm intercepted a pass with 8:55 left in the third quarter to put the defense ahead 13-7.

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UMass played three quarters of live game football after opening with Brown’s “Thunderstruck” drill, which attempts to snap the ball once every 10 seconds and simulate tempo for both the offense and the defense with the ACDC classic blaring through the speakers. 

Georgia Tech transfer Taisun Phommachanh lofted a red zone touchdown pass to tight end Gino Campiotti, a converted quarterback, during that period.

Each of UMass’ four quarterbacks (Olson, Haston, Phommachanh and Western Carolina transfer Carlos Davis) rotated snaps.

“The battle rages, and it rages and rages for several reasons. Everybody competes better when they know they’ve got a chance to play, so that's the way we like to keep it,” Brown said. “But going into the first week we'll have a starter.”

The Minutemen started three quarterbacks last season (Olson, Campiotti and Garrett Dzuro) and gave extended playing time to Zamar Wise, who has since switched to receiver.

“Last year was difficult, and really a lot of it from injury,” Brown said.

No quarterback separated himself to Brown during the spring game, which is the 15th of 15 allowable practices during the session.

“Each one of them had a moment where I just liked the way they went about their business,” Brown said.

With the spring season now completed, the Minutemen will turn their attention to recruiting, meetings and camps. Brown hopes to add a few more players before summer practice opens July 28.

Two more receivers will join them at the end of May, and UMass hopes to add another offensive lineman.

“We just want to make sure that we keep working on our craft and getting better, schematically,” Brown said.

The Minutemen open the season August 26 at New Mexico State in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.]]>