Mark Whipple didn’t do much to clear up the quarterback question surrounding his team on a conference call Monday.
Ross Comis started the first two games, but didn’t play Saturday with a shoulder injury. Whipple said he was “better,” but didn’t throw during Sunday’s practice.
Whipple wasn’t sure if Comis would be healthy enough to practice enough this week to play in Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. against Mississippi State at Gillette Stadium.
If he is healthy, Whipple didn’t say whether Comis and Andrew Ford, who started and played well in Saturday’s win over FIU, would be competing for the starting job.
Ross “was much better (Sunday). We’ll see what he’s like Tuesday. He didn’t throw (Sunday). But he’s a lot better,” Whipple said. “There’s always competition. Every day. That’s why I think Andrew has gotten so much better. We’ll play the best one during the week. I’m happy with the way Andrew played. I’ve been happy with the way Ross played. We’ll get it up to another level of competition this week. We’ll see how the week goes.”
Comis completed 20 of 45 passes for 286 yards with one touchdown and one interception in starts against Florida and Boston College. He was sacked 12 times.
Ford, was 28-for-42 for 278 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Saturday’s win over Florida International.
INJURIES — Whipple said starting cornerback Jackson Porter, who missed Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury, did practice Sunday and was improved. Linebacker Shane Huber, who was knocked out of the FIU game in the first half with an undisclosed injury, will be a game-time decision.
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIFORMS —– Mississippi State will be wearing special alternate uniforms for Saturday’s game. The Bulldogs will wear maroon-trimmed white jerseys and maroon pants. They’ll have a new metallic silver helmet.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage