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PLAYING WITH A HEAVY HEART - UMass junior linebacker Josh Jennings played in Saturday's game at Northeastern just one day after attending the wake for his father Winslow Jennings who died last week. Jennings is dedicating the rest of this season to his father.

"Last week was a tough week," Jennings said. "I was a little sluggish in the game. But he would have wanted me to play in that game, that's why I pushed hard to play in that game. I'm dedicating the rest of the season to him and playing for him. He was a great guy, a great father, always been around for me. He never missed games unless he had to miss a game.

"Hopefully he's watching over me and giving me power to play well game in and game out," Jennings continued. "From here on out, hopefully if we go deep into the playoffs, it'll be a tribute to him. I just want to let the guys know how much it means to me to get where we're trying to go and that's the playoffs."

Jennings said his teammates have been instrumental in helping him through a difficult time.

"Guys have been coming up to me asking me how I'm doing and helping me through this process. I appreciate it," said Jennings, who looked to senior quarterback Liam Coen, who lost his mother. "Liam gave me a little advice on how to cope with losing a close family member. He definitely helped me out. Anthony Rouzier and his family have been there for me too."

Jennings said he planned to write "R.I.P. Pops" on his wristband before every game.

"I'm just trying to get through as best I can and use football as my safe haven. Just to come out here and be with the guys and play the game was big. I wanted to show them how much I care about them," he said. "I know he's up there looking down on me giving me strength."

BIG TURNOUT EXPECTED - As of Wednesday, more than 40 members of the Minutemen's 1998 Division I-AA national championship team had notified UMass that they would attend Saturday's game at 3:30 p.m. against Richmond where they will be honored at halftime on the 10th anniversary of their title. Among those expected back are All-Americans Sean Higgins, Jeremy Robinson, Todd Bankhead, Marcel Shipp, Kole Ayi, Kerry Taylor and Adrian Zullo.

MILESTONE APPROACHING - Coen needs 254 passing yards Saturday to become the first UMass player to throw for 10,000 yards in his career. He's averaging 244 yards per game this season.

dbackjon wrote:good luck, minuteman

dbackjon wrote:Where is UMass' O?

dbackjon wrote:tough loss...