But then disaster struck.

First, quarterback Dave Palazzi, the YankeeConference and ECAC Rookie of the Year in 1985when he completed 53 percent of his passes for1152 yards, was struck down with a serious injury.He is expected to miss six to eight weeks of theseason.

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

All of which means that a walk-on named JimBryant will be in charge of the U Mass offense forat least the first several games of the year. Andthat turns a very rosy offensive picture into avery uncertain one.

How the Minuteman QB situation works itself outremains to be seen, and in fact the offensive setmay well be back to normal by the time the unitfaces Harvard in a late-season match-up.

The Mass defense looks very talented aswell--if a little thin. A fine linebacking groupis 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 PaulManganaro '87

Lettermen lost: 15

Lettermen returning: 39

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

Nov. 15, Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Pa.,1 p.m.