Former NC State Football Quarterback Takes Over Minutemen
The UMass Minutemen (2-9), under the direction of interim head coach and late-1980s NC State football signal caller Shane Montgomery since the program parted ways with Don Brown on Monday, suffered a 59-21 road loss to the No. 8-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (9-2) on Saturday afternoon.
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There's no shame in that. After all, the Georgia victory marked the Bulldogs' 30th in a row at home, the longest active home winning streak among all FBS schools.
And it appears that the 57-year-old Montgomery, who joined UMass this year as the offensive coordinator, had his squad well-prepared to face the SEC powerhouse and College Football Playoff hopeful.
His Minutemen enjoyed a 107-yard rushing performance by Jalen John and churned 226 yards on the ground as a group.
That's not to mention the fact UMass scored first in the contest, putting together a 10-play, 75-yard opening touchdown drive with Montgomery calling the plays. Plus, the Minutemen found paydirt again in the second quarter via a 14-play, 75-yard charge down the field, and the offense came out of the gates in the third quarter with a 75-yarder scoring strike through the air.
Shane Montgomery, who began his coaching career as an NC State football graduate assistant after earning All-ACC Second Team honors in 1989 and becoming a two-time bowl MVP, looks to notch his first win as interim head coach — 17-31 as head coach at Miami (Ohio) from 2005 to 2008 — when UMass wraps up its 2024 campaign at home against fellow FBS Independent UConn (7-4).
Kickoff between the Minutemen and Huskies is set for noon ET next Saturday (ESPN+).
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.