Season Preview: High-Powered Offense Goes Full Speed Into 2021

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The long wait for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth football team to return to the field will finally be over on Sept. 4 when the Corsairs travel to Bangor, Maine to take on Husson University for its first game in 658 days. Mark Robichaud returns for his 15th season at the helm for the blue and gold and reigning MASCAC Offensive Player of the Year Stephen Gacioch will be under center once again.

UMassD finished 2019 with a 7-3 record which was its best finish since 2004. This was due in large part to the firepower that the Corsairs brought on the offensive end. The team ranked first in the MASCAC in total offense (440 ypg) and passing yards (277 ypg), second in rushing yards (163 ypg), touchdowns (46) and points (32 ppg).

Gacioch, from Tiverton, R.I., ended 2019 in the top five of the MASCAC in several categories, including yards per game (277.6), total yards (2221), touchdowns (20), pass efficiency (143.2) and completion percentage (59.2%). Other Notable returners on offense include junior RB Luis Gonzalez (512 yards, 4 TD's) and fifth-year senior WR DJ Machado who caught 30 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns in five games.

Other returning wide receivers expected to make an impact this season are senior Keenan Little, and juniors Diondre Ellis and Winston DeLeon.

The offensive line is a young group but has veteran leadership. Seniors Andrew Paulus and Adam Boulrisse, and juniors Brandon DiChiaro, Carlos Goncalves-Robalo, Liam Whaley and Che'Saih Hill-Gore are back to protect Gacioch.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Corsairs ranked fourth in the MASCAC in points per game allowed in 2019 (23.1). They were especially solid up-front with 34 sacks, which was good for second in the conference, and only allowed 89.5 rushing yards per game, which was the best in the conference. The secondary came away with 11 interceptions which placed fourth in the league.

Fifth-year senior DB Chris Gomes is first among returners in tackles from 2019 (47) and was tied for the team lead in interceptions (2). Senior LB Javien Delgado finished that year with 44 tackles and one pick. The Corsairs will also rely on fifth-year senior DL Sean Reall (40 tk) and senior DL and captain Mekhi Geter.

A strong core of defensive lineman are back led by fifth-year senior Marcus Elysee, senior Matt Gisonno, and junior Joshua Lacerte. Senior defensive backs Adam Washington and JP Mason and juniors Stephen Kolodko, Connor Donohue and William Tuttle, along with senior linebacker Malik Gibson will make a difference on defense as well.

As to be expected, the 2021 version of the UMass Dartmouth football team will made up of mostly new faces. 60 of the 96 players currently on the roster have not had any collegiate football experience. The freshman and sophomores who missed out on the 2020 season will all be making their debuts.

Fighting for the backup quarterback spot is sophomore Dante Aviles-Santos and freshman Matt Gacioch. The freshmen duo of running backs Marvens Jean and Jayln Aponte will see time along with freshmen wide receivers Michael Vincent, Thomas Zednik, Antonio Brown and Easten Coleman.

Newcomers on the offensive line include freshman Kolby Stockwell, and sophomores Masai Hallums, Henry Doane and Merrimack transfer Tyler Gmyr.

On defense, the freshmen trio of Cam Junes, Magnus Hartz and Teshuah Williams will make a difference on the defensive line. New to the linebacking corps are sophomores Jackson Wellman, Randy Jean-Francois and Anthony Durante, and freshmen Samuel Alicea and Michael Henricksen.

Manning the backfield will be sophomores Shane Meerbott and Logan Chappell, along with freshman Mike Koussa.

UMassD plays two non-conference contests before MASCAC play begins. The Corsairs first travel to Maine to face Husson on Sept. 4. The blue and gold defeated Husson, 48-41, at home in 2019. Gacioch threw for 512 yards and five touchdowns and added 70 yards on the ground. The team plays its home opener against Dean on Sept. 11, it will be the first-ever matchup between the teams. The first conference matchup is at Framingham State on Sept. 18, and the MASCAC home opener is Sept. 25 against Worcester State.

All UMassD home contests will be streamed on littleeast.tv. Streaming for road games will differ based on the opponent. Live stats will be available for each game.