UMass Minutemen

UMass opened the season with a stunning 37-21 road victory over Rutgers, snapping the nation's longest active losing streak at 16 games. The Minutemen built a 24-7 halftime lead and never looked back, scoring in seven of their 10 drives. This was their first win against an FBS opponent since 2023 and their first halftime lead over a power conference school since 2017. The victory also marked the program's biggest win since joining the FBS in 2012, and it came in head coach Joe Harasymiak's home state of New Jersey, where he previously served as Rutgers' defensive coordinator.

Transfer quarterback Williams 'Pop' Watson III, a Springfield native who came from Virginia Tech, was the catalyst for the offensive explosion. He threw for 197 yards and three touchdowns while adding 40 rushing yards on six carries. Watson completed passes to seven different receivers, showing the kind of distribution that was sorely missing from an offense that ranked last in the nation in scoring (11.1 ppg) and total yards (247.5 ypg) in 2025. His high school teammate Joseph Griffin Jr., who transferred from Boston College, caught one of the touchdown passes, and Elijah Faulkner hauled in two scores. The offense's efficiency was a dramatic departure from last season's struggles.

The Minutemen entered the season with 56 new players, including 30 transfers and 26 freshmen, and that overhaul was evident in the opener. The new-look offense, coordinated by Max Warner, who previously coached All-America tight end Harold Fannin Jr. at Bowling Green, showed balance and creativity. The defense, despite allowing three touchdown catches to Rutgers' star receiver KJ Duff, forced five turnovers (four interceptions and a fumble recovery) and held the Scarlet Knights to 21 points. Key returning players like linebacker Tyler Martin, who had 104 tackles last season, and defensive end Joshua Nobles, who missed all of 2025 with injury, helped stabilize a unit that was decimated by injuries a year ago.

Despite the impressive win, the Minutemen were massive underdogs (the market gave them just a 2% chance to win) and Rutgers was coming off a season where its defense allowed at least 30 points in eight of 12 games. The Scarlet Knights also started 10 new defensive players, so some of UMass's offensive success may have been aided by Rutgers' own issues. Still, the Minutemen covered the 29.5-point spread and hit the over, signaling that this team is far more competitive than the one that lost by an average of 26.8 points during its 16-game skid. The challenge now is sustaining this level of play against a more manageable schedule that includes FCS opponents Sacred Heart and Stonehill, as well as FBS newcomer Sacramento State.

The biggest question for UMass is whether they can stay healthy and maintain the offensive rhythm they found in Week 1. Last season, injuries to key players like wide receiver T.Y. Harding and cornerback TJ Magee derailed the team. Both are back, and Magee also returns punts, adding a special teams threat. The offensive line, which was revamped with transfers like left tackle Greg Knox and the return of right tackle Zachary Franks from injury, held up well against Rutgers. If Watson can continue to spread the ball and the defense can force turnovers, the Minutemen have a realistic path to their first winning season in years. The upcoming home game against Sacred Heart offers a chance to build on the momentum and prove that the Rutgers result was no fluke.