UMass at Coastal Carolina: Game preview and where to watch

UMass will look to bounce back after a tough loss to Hawaii last weekend. This week they’re on the road to face Coastal Carolina.

UMass lost a heartbreaker to Hawaii last weekend as they blew a 14-point second half lead. Now, they’ll look to bounce back with a game against a Coastal Carolina team that is making a jump to the FBS level. They’ll get to do so on CCU’s bright teal turf.

Coastal Carolina didn’t play in week 0 like UMass did, so this Saturday will be the Chanticleers first game as an FBS program. They have only had a football team for 16 years in general. UMass has struggled to adjust to their own FBS jump, but they should be better prepared than Coastal Carolina.

Another hurdle the Chanticleers will have to overcome is that they’ve yet to name a starting quarterback. Coastal Carolina has a ton of options, and it seems like they really don’t know who to start yet.

"“There in pregame when we have about 12 quarterbacks out there warming up they’re going to be watching pretty hard to find out who it is,” interim head coach Jamey Chadwell said. “… But I’ll be honest, I’d like to know who it’s going to be myself. It would make me feel a lot better too if I felt better about the consistency there.”"

Chadwell is the offensive coordinator and he’s handling the head coaching duties will head coach Joe Moglia is taking a five-month medical sabbatical.

Time, location, and how to watch

Time: Saturday, Sept. 2nd 7 PM
Location: Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC
How to watch: ESPN3

3 Players to watch: UMass

TE Adam Breneman

Breneman is clearly the best offensive player for UMass. I expect Andrew Ford to target him heavily in this game. This could be a game that puts Breneman on the map as a legitimate NFL Draft prospect.

WR Andy Isabella

Isabella shined for the Minutemen last week with two touchdowns. He’ll look to keep that pace going against a weaker Coastal Carolina defense. Isabella could go for another 2 or 3 scores in this game for UMass.

LB Steve Casali

Steve Casali is one of the strongest men on the UMass defense. The redshirt junior is on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and he had 6 tackles against Hawaii. He should look to get his first sack of the 2017 season after he had 3.5 last season.

3 Players to watch: Coastal Carolina

WR Chris Jones

UMass will have to keep their eyes on Jones as both a receiver and a punt returner in this game. The senior has 62 career receptions for 1,024 yards and 6 touchdowns. The only question will be which QB is slinging passes to Jones.

RB Osharmar Abercrombie

Abercrombie is a senior that’s ready to help CCU with their jump. He’s finally stepping into the starting role and he has some big shoes to fill. De’Angelo Henderson had been the focal point of the Chanticleers offense, but now this is Abercrombie’s team. Last season he had 4 scores in 8 games for CCU.

DE Marcus Williamson

Last season Williamson was a force in the FCS. He had 27 tackles and 3.5 sacks on the year. He can also be disruptive on special teams with his field goal blocking ability.

Next: Boston College v. Northern Illinois: Game preview

Prediction

UMass should be able to handle the FBS up and comers. The Minutemen will win this one 45-24. The defense will likely come up strong after blowing the lead last week, and they’re not going to let this one get close. UMass gets their first W of the year and they only need 5 more to become bowl eligible.

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