AMHERST — At about the halfway point between the start of camp and its opener against Hawaii (Aug. 26, McGuirk Stadium, 6 p.m.) the UMass football held a scrimmage for season ticket holders Saturday night.
UMass coach Mark Whipple was pleased with both the scrimmage and his team’s performance through the preseason.
“They’ve been good. They’re pushing. They’re sore and they’re tired, but they’ve been a good group. They’re fun to be around,” Whipple said. “I thought the first groups were pretty good. The defensive was opportunistic. They gave up some plays, but in the red zone they came up with the ball. We got a lot of young guys some work. They need a lot more work.”
The Minutemen mixed first team and second team players together throughout much of the scrimmage and some new faces appear likely to get playing time.
Junior college transfer Tyler Hayes looks like an immediate contributor at safety and could start alongside Jesse Montiero.
“He’ll be back there. He’s a good player,” Whipple said.
Defensive lineman Chinedu Ogbonna has seen time with the first and second defensive line units and will likely play.
Tyris Lebeau, a freshman safety from Montreal who signed late, has impressed the coaching staff despite early and likely won’t redshirt.
“He’ll be in the mix,” Whipple said.
There was no update on senior Shane Huber’s status, but Towson transfer Bryton Barr was lined up in Huber’s inside linebacker spot.
Junior college transfer Jacoby Herring, who caught a long touchdown pass and freshman Jesse Britt, both look likely to be in the wide receiver mix right away.
Adam Breneman, Sha-ki Holines, Steve Casali and Logan Laurent sat out the scrimmage, but none of the three are currently in danger of missing the opener, according to Whipple.
NO QUARTERBACK UPDATE — Whipple said he hadn’t decided on a No. 1 quarterback and wasn’t sure when he’d make the call.
“They’re getting even reps. They’ve both been good,” he said. “They’ve both had their moments. It’s a good situation.”
EXPANDING ROLE FOR LEE — Senior Malik Lee is likely to begin the year as UMass’ starting fullback. The Mashpee native played sparingly last year behind John Robinson-Woodgett, but could see his role expand as a pass-catcher.
“Malik has been good. He’s catching the ball,” Whipple said.
Lee said he’s more confident in year two.
“The game has definitely slowed down for me. It’s coming easier,” he said. “I worked on catching all summer. That’s something I’ve emphasize my whole life. Anything to help the team. If it helps the team I’m all for it.”
Lee is a senior on a team that mostly young. At 6-foot-1, 270 pounds, Lee can be a punishing blocker. He said he’ll try to set a tone for the group physically. Whomever he’s assigned to block on the first play can expect quite the collision.
“That’s the No. 1 priority, try to land him on his back,” he said.
CAMP ENDS THURSDAY — Whipple said the camp portion of August practice will end Thursday, as he and his staff will give the team the game plan for Hawaii on Friday, beginning the start of an extra-long game week.
MISCELLANEOUS — Syracuse transfer running back Jordan Fredericks is officially on the roster, but isn’t expected to get a waiver allowing him to play this year. He’s currently sideline with a knee injury. He’ll have two years of eligibility beginning in 2018.
When he signed he was known as Hunter Brown, but UMass’ freshman defensive lineman from Lynnfield is now going by Burnis Brown. Hunter is his middle name.
Leominster native Jarell Addo, a former safety, is now playing linebacker and could see time on the depth chart.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage