The Minutemen looked to have a very powerful offensive array in the pre-season. Nine starters were returning from the Mass offense which sparked the team to a 7-4 record a year ago.

But then disaster struck.

First, quarterback Dave Palazzi, the Yankee Conference and ECAC Rookie of the Year in 1985 when he completed 53 percent of his passes for 1152 yards, was struck down with a serious injury. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks of the season.

Then, only days later, the Minutemen's second string signalcaller went down with a jammed thumb. He will miss about a month.

All of which means that a walk-on named Jim Bryant will be in charge of the UMass offense for at least the first several games of the year. And that turns a very rosy offensive picture into a very uncertain one.

How the Minuteman QB situation works itself out remains to be seen, and in fact the offensive set may well be back to normal by the time the unit faces Harvard in a late-season match-up.

The Mass defense looks very talented as well--if a little thin. A fine linebacking group is backed up by a tough secondary.

Head Coach: Jim Reid (1st year)

Last Year: 7-4

Last Year Versus Harvard: Harvard, 10-3

Series Versus Harvard: Harvard leads, 11-6-1

Captains: Stan Kaczorowski '87 and Paul Manganaro '87

Lettermen lost: 15

Lettermen returning: 39

Returning players to watch: Dave Palazzi (QB), John McKeown (LB), Al Neri (FB), Paul Manganaro (LB), John Crowley (FL) Week 9: Pennsylvannia