I know the JV teams from Amherst & UMass "scrimmaged" at least twice in the early '80s. Never on the schedule and NOT an "official" game because there wasn't a lot of love between the schools and little upside for UMass: risk of loss (low but statistically possible) or get injured in a "throw-away" game. Probably why the varsity teams didn't play (to my knowledge). But our JV schedule usually had 2-3 games against D-1 JVs a season.

Best luck to all final 4 teams-but Go Mammoths.

Agree with much of JeffFan's analysis of Amherst FB and causes for its current challenges (and hope for the future). I believe the crux of the matter centers on the direction of the former president and current admission director hired during her tenure. The current AD was a successful Amherst OC (and head softball coach), so presumably he well understood the NESCAC FB recruiting and coaching challenges and how to successfully manage them.

Wasn't aware of the size of the decline of older alumni giving but it aligns with my experience speaking to fellow alumni. The former president had an agenda for the College that has impacted all areas of it. Of course athletics would be impacted; in some ways this has been a positive, for others (more "traditional" sports?) it appears to have been less positive. And obviously for recruiting 17-18 year olds, recent results will matter perhaps more than they should.

Amherst FB has historically has had good and bad 10-15 year runs. Like the past, I hope/expect things will be better in the (not-too-distant) future.