The 2026 college football season opened with a stunning result on Thursday night at SHI Stadium, where UMass pulled off a 37-21 upset victory against Rutgers. Entering the contest as 28.5-point underdogs according to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Minutemen shattered expectations and snapped a 16-game losing streak that stood as the longest active skid in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The victory marked UMass’s first win since October 2024, rebounding from a winless 0-12 campaign in 2025.
UMass Stuns Rutgers in Massive Season-Opening Upset
Quarterback William Watson III orchestrated the stellar offensive performance, passing for 197 yards and three touchdowns while completing 18 passes to seven different receivers. The Virginia Tech transfer also contributed 40 rushing yards on six carries. UMass capitalized immediately after surrendering an opening-touchdown drive to Rutgers, responding by finding the end zone on its first three possessions. A 31-yard scoring pass from Watson to Joseph Griffin Jr. stretched the early advantage to 21-7, and the Minutemen carried a 24-7 lead into halftime.
Offensive Efficiency and Defensive Stifling Propel Minutemen
UMass dominated the box score by outgaining the Scarlet Knights 397 total yards to 349 yards, maintaining a massive 197-30 advantage on the ground. The revamped Minutemen offense—which averaged a nation-low 11.1 points per game during the previous season—played mistake-free football and committed zero turnovers. Following Curtis Kimmons IV scoring on a 17-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to push the margin to 37-14, any hopes of a late Scarlet Knights comeback were effectively dashed by a crucial UMass interception.
Rutgers struggled immensely to sustain drives, converting just three of 11 opportunities on third down and committing four total turnovers. New starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan recorded 242 passing yards and two touchdowns in his debut, but he was intercepted four times and lost a fumble. Head coach Greg Schiano later lifted Lonergan in favor of AJ Surace during the fourth quarter due to an undisclosed injury. Star wide receiver KJ Duff provided a bright spot for the hosts by catching a career-high nine receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Emotional Homecoming for Coach Harasymiak
The historic win carried deep personal significance for UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak, who grew up roughly 40 miles away in Waldwick, New Jersey, and previously served as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024. Addressing the emotional atmosphere following the game at CBS Sports, Harasymiak noted that having his parents and two brothers present at the stadium made the milestone particularly special.
The result placed immediate pressure on the Rutgers program, leaving Schiano on the hot seat after a performance that fans greeted with boos and fourth-quarter chants. Reflecting on the defeat, Schiano admitted to CBS Sports that his team was simply outplayed and out-coached. UMass will look to build on its 1-0 start when it hosts Sacred Heart on September 12, while Rutgers seeks a rebound on the road against Boston College on September 11.
По теме
