In a thrilling season‑opener on Thursday night, the University of Massachusetts Minutemen broke a 16‑game losing streak against FBS opponents with a 37‑21 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The win, the longest current losing streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision, gave UMass its first triumph over a Power Five school since a halftime lead against Mississippi State in 2017.
Watson leads the charge
Transfer quarterback Pop Watson III, a former Virginia Tech player, completed 18 of 27 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns. He connected twice with wide receiver Elijah Faulkner and once with Joseph Griffin Jr., building a 24‑7 halftime lead. Watson also contributed 40 rushing yards on six carries, helping the Minutemen score on seven of their ten drives.
Key moments and player highlights
Senior running back Curtis Kimmons IV added a 17‑yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 37‑14. Rutgers’ standout KJ Duff, an AP All‑America second‑team receiver, caught three touchdown passes, including a career‑long 78‑yard reception.
Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan threw for 242 yards, two touchdowns, four interceptions and lost a fumble before being replaced by AJ Surace in the fourth quarter due to an undisclosed injury.
Coaching and program turnaround
Head coach Joe Harasymiak, who previously served as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator (2022‑24), praised his team’s effort, noting the emotional significance of having his family in the stands at SHI Stadium. “My mom, my dad, my brothers are here, and I just FaceTimed my wife and kids at home,” Harasymiak said.
The Minutemen have overhauled their roster, adding 56 new players—including 30 transfers and 26 freshmen—after a 2025 season that ranked among the nation’s lowest in scoring, averaging just 11.1 points per game.
Looking ahead
UMass will travel to Sacred Heart on September 12 for its next matchup, while Rutgers heads to Boston College on September 11.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
