AMHERST — UMass quarterback Blake Frohnapfel is equipped to build on what emerged as the top passing attack in the Mid-American Conference last year.

Frohnapfel spent his first season learning and executing the fluid components of coach Mark Whipple’s pro-style passing offense and the results were staggering.

The graduate transfer from Marshall completed 241-of-437 passes for 3,345 yards with 23 touchdowns in 10 games. Despite missing the last two conference games with a leg injury, Frohnapfel was voted the All-MAC first-team quarterback.

Frohnapfel is using his reps in spring practice at McGuirk Stadium to hone his game with the intention of winning the conference crown and a bowl berth.

“He’s invested in it,” UMass quarterbacks coach Liam Coen said. “He believes in (Whipple’s system) and he knows that it works, so that takes his game to another level and I would say he’s been pretty lights out this spring.

“He made decisions that hurt us in games last year, but he also was a huge reason we were successful on offense. I think he’s taking the (next) step of taking care of the football and making better decisions, and he’s really been great so far.”

Frohnapfel was the triggerman for a passing attack that finished 10th in the nation, averaging 311.8 yards per game. But the Minutemen were 3-7 in games that Frohnapfel started, including nonleague losses to Boston College, Colorado, Penn State and Vanderbilt.

The 2014 Minutemen (3-9 overall) won more games than they did in the previous two seasons (they were 1-11 in each of their first two years at the FBS level), and lost four games by five points or fewer. Frohnapfel knows the true value of offensive production is measured in wins and trophies, both of which have been in short supply since UMass’ upgrade.

“The ideal around this locker room is to win a championship, go to a bowl game and do something that hasn’t been done here at this level,” Frohnapfel said. “Right now, I’m already used to the flow of practice and obviously I have a better grasp of the playbook. . . . And my comfort level is a lot higher.”

Whipple’s offense is an ever-evolving scheme that grows and gets more refined over the course of a season. Frohnapfel executed the facets of the game plan that play to his strengths, but the record shows he needs to do more with the passing game.

Said Coen: “We try not to give him reps of plays that he’s already comfortable with. We are trying to challenge him with concepts from the fall that he wasn’t comfortable with or not great at or he didn’t quite grasp. This is the time to give him those concepts that he wasn’t comfortable with and see if it was the concept or was it him.”

Frohnapfel has a fantastic chance to succeed because he is surrounded by experienced players up front and at the skill positions. UMass has five returning starters on the offensive line, and a talented duo of sophomore tailbacks in Shadrach Abrokwah (578 yards) and Lorenzo Woodley (415).

Also back is wideout Tajae Sharpe, Frohnapfel’s primary target and the big numbers guy in the scheme. Sharpe caught 85 passes for 1,281 yards and seven touchdowns.

Frohnapfel hopes to feed him more.