UMass football getting ready for season in Foxborough

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The UMass Minutemen football team is gearing up for their 2012 season, and the team is sporting new digs- outside western Massachusetts.

They have a new coach, new uniforms, they'll be playing in a new division and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough; more than two hours away from the Amherst campus.

The 2011 season marked the final year the team played in the Football Championship Subdvision, FCS. The Minutemen are now in year two of their transition period to the Football Bowl Subdivision, FBS.

New head coach Charley Molnar told 22News that western Massachusetts fans will find a way to get to Gillette.

“It is a big stadium and we do intend to fill it up, and we know that we need our fans from western Mass. The people that are loyal to UMass football, they are going to find a way to get there. I know the Patriots draw from all over New England, people are die hard fans, and they'll find a way to get there,” he said.

UMass will join UConn and Boston College, making them one of only three New England schools in the FBS.

The Minutemen will be facing UConn on August 30 for the season opener. The home opener is Sept. 8th against Indiana at Gillette, with a kick off time at 3:30 P.M.