2008 Woodie Awards
Football: Roster Breakdown
New talent surrounds Coen; defense experience a plus
Jeffrey R. Larnard, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: Sports
With a similar look to the 2007 Massachusetts football team, coach Don Brown aims to continue his winning ways by taking the 2008 version of the Minutemen to a school record, third straight NCAA postseason.
With eight returning starters, the Minutemen, once again, look to win with a stifling defense. The offensive side of the ball has new faces and some holes left by graduation, but nothing that cannot be masked by senior captain and All-American Liam Coen.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
With question marks on the offensive side of the ball, one exclamation point is Coen. After three years of managing the ball for the Minutemen, the 6-foot-2-inch 220-pound redshirt quarterback has already rewritten the school's record book. With over 30 records to his name and a national title game appearance in 2006, the QB will look to add more to his legacy in his final season at the helm.
Before the 2008 season had begun, Coen already had many accolades to his name for the upcoming season: Walter Payton Award Candidate, CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Lindy's CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Lindy's Second-Team All American and USA Today National Player to Watch.
Entering his fourth and final season as the signal caller for the Minutemen, Coen, one of four team captains, will be a leader on and off the field. With the experience of leading his team to a NCAA FCS Championship Game in his sophomore year, the NCAA quarterfinals the following year and two conference titles, Coen has earned the respect of his teammates and other teams across the nation.
As far as leading on the field, Coen lets his performance speak for him. With two consecutive 3,000-yard seasons, a 64.46 career completion percentage and 66 career touchdowns (30 in 2007), he has been called the "best quarterback in UMass history," according to Brown.
Coen did throw more interceptions in 2007 (14 in 13 games), than he did in 2006 (10 in 15 games), but also had 26 more passing attempts in 2007, despite playing two fewer games.
With eight returning starters, the Minutemen, once again, look to win with a stifling defense. The offensive side of the ball has new faces and some holes left by graduation, but nothing that cannot be masked by senior captain and All-American Liam Coen.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
With question marks on the offensive side of the ball, one exclamation point is Coen. After three years of managing the ball for the Minutemen, the 6-foot-2-inch 220-pound redshirt quarterback has already rewritten the school's record book. With over 30 records to his name and a national title game appearance in 2006, the QB will look to add more to his legacy in his final season at the helm.
Before the 2008 season had begun, Coen already had many accolades to his name for the upcoming season: Walter Payton Award Candidate, CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Lindy's CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Lindy's Second-Team All American and USA Today National Player to Watch.
Entering his fourth and final season as the signal caller for the Minutemen, Coen, one of four team captains, will be a leader on and off the field. With the experience of leading his team to a NCAA FCS Championship Game in his sophomore year, the NCAA quarterfinals the following year and two conference titles, Coen has earned the respect of his teammates and other teams across the nation.
As far as leading on the field, Coen lets his performance speak for him. With two consecutive 3,000-yard seasons, a 64.46 career completion percentage and 66 career touchdowns (30 in 2007), he has been called the "best quarterback in UMass history," according to Brown.
Coen did throw more interceptions in 2007 (14 in 13 games), than he did in 2006 (10 in 15 games), but also had 26 more passing attempts in 2007, despite playing two fewer games.
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