Football Turned Over By Nationally-Ranked Massachusetts in Minutemen's Home Opener

Amherst, Mass. - Kyle Havens threw a pair of touchdowns passes and Jon Hernandez ran for two second-half scores to lead Massachusetts to a 44-7 non-league victory over UAlbany on Saturday, Sept. 12 before 13,215 fans at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The Minutemen, ranked No. 17 by Sports Network and No. 18 in the FCS Coaches poll, won their home opener for the eighth consecutive year.

The first quarter was scripted perfectly for Massachusetts (1-1) and its first-year head coach Kevin Morris, a former UAlbany assistant in the 1980s. The Minutemen scored on their opening two possessions, one set up when defensive tackle Brandon Collier broke through the line to sack UAlbany quarterback Vinny Esposito and force a fumble. Tony Nelson's 2-yard touchdown run over left guard gave his team a 10-0 advantage. In the first series that resulted in Armando Cuko's career-long 47-yard field goal, UMass marched eight plays behind Havens.

The Great Danes, who were plagued by three turnovers in the opening half, later had a pass that was tipped and linebacker Tyler Holmes came up with the interception. However, Cuko's 39-yard field goal try hit the crossbar. UAlbany drove into UMass' territory early in the second quarter, but Esposito was picked off by Perry McIntyre after the senior signal-caller tried to hit tight end Paul Booker in traffic.

Despite the mistakes, UAlbany (0-2) closed the gap to 10-7 when redshirt freshman Andrew Smith carried over the left side on a 3-yard touchdown run. The Great Danes stayed on the ground for entire eight-play drive that was jump-started by a short UMass punt.

The Minutemen, who have been ranked in the national Top 25 for 55 of the last 56 weeks, quickly recovered. Havens, a junior college transfer, rolled to his right and fired a 67-yard scoring streak to All-America receiver Victor Cruz. UMass upped its margin to 20-7 with 2:05 left in the half, when Cuko drilled a 37-yard field goal to end a 10-play scoring sequence.

In third quarter, UAlbany's Emerson Kinsey blocked a field goal and his team seemed to have some momentum near midfield. But Esposito was picked off for the third time when he threw behind fullback Chris Kenneally and free safety Jeromy Miles pulled the ball away. The Great Danes had five turnovers, their highest total since Nov. 12, 2005. UMass turned the takeaway into points and a 27-7 lead. Havens found Cruz on a 3-yard slant pattern for a touchdown on fourth down.

"When you have five turnovers you don't deserve to win and most of the time you don't win," UAlbany coach Bob Ford said. "We took a step back tonight with bad decisions and several breakdowns on protection schemes. It's tough to pick up a team after a devastating loss. You have to appeal to their pride."

UMass, edged by FBS opponents Kansas State, 21-17, one week ago, added 17 fourth-quarter points to pad their cushion. Hernandez, a sophomore tailback, scored on a runs of 1 and 58 yards and Cuko added his third field goal, a 40-yarder with 6:16 remaining. Havens finished with 284 passing yards on 20-of-32 attempts. Nelson added 77 rushing yards on 21 carries.

UAlbany tailback David McCarty rushed for 42 yards in the first half, but left the game in the second quarter with a hip injury and did not return. McCarty's streak of 21 consecutive games with at least one touchdown came to an end. Justin Gannon led the Great Danes with 61 yards on the ground. Justin Brancaccio led the defense with 11 tackles, while Dave Casale and Dave Nicomini made 10 apiece.





Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information