Maine took UMass to the woodshed Saturday, 35-10, adding to the growing tally of FCS victories over FBS teams in 2021. However, UMass, will rise again.
Ultimately, as dim as the prospects may seem, and in zombie-like fashion.
It might be a minute, though.
As zombie things go, it will not be pretty. But someday, somehow, the worm will turn. Until then, turmoil ensues.
The Evil Eye was hoping Massachusetts would win last weekend.
Because The Evil Eye is not an obituary writer.
During last week, the foreboding was palpable. Dark clouds forming. Babies screaming in terror. Whistler’s mother reading the sports page.
Maybe a black border would be appropriate around this article. A simple epitaph.
First of all, credit where credit is due. The Maine Black Bears took care of business on the road at an FBS opponent. Congratulations, because there is a very lopsided football history here in favor of UMass. Maine came out of series hibernation. They pawed and clawed UMass around. They went down 10-0 in the first quarter and then came storming back. Maine rattled-off 35 straight points. The stats were pretty even with Maine having about a one-drive advantage in total offense. They held the UMass passing game in check. The Black Bears are now 5-5 on the season. They are 3-4 in the Colonial and tied for 6th in a five-team logjam. Lindy’s picked Maine to be in the bottom half of the Colonial.
UMass had 177 yards rushing from Ellis Merriweather. Plenty of times that is good enough. UMass is now 1-9. 5,331 brave souls are listed as witnesses.
Maine is actually no stranger to these pages of FCS victories over FBS teams. They won against an FBS team as recently as 2018, taking Western Kentucky down 31-28.
UMass is no stranger either. In fact, it is a weekly edition. You have to think the Minutemen envisioned the last two weeks as a couple of wins. The question for UMass is, was the pay you paid worth the pay you paid?
The Evil Eye really likes to bash FBS teams when they schedule two FCS games in a season. Somehow, it is not so much fun to bash a struggling team when they lose both of those games. It’s not a teary eye or even a misty eye that awaits.
UMass now hits the road for two more games. At Army, a win is an uphill battle. At New Mexico State, it could be a very good game.
When will the zombie rise?
Time will tell for the Minutemen.
A bleary eye awaits.