Rutgers football opened its 2026 campaign with a disappointing 37-21 loss to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen on Thursday night in Piscataway, New Jersey. Despite entering the game as 29.5‑point favorites, the Scarlet Knights were unable to stop UMass, which scored 30 unanswered points before Rutgers finally found the end zone.

Game summary

UMass struck first and built a 30‑14 lead, highlighted by a touchdown pass from quarterback Dylan Lonergan to wide receiver KJ Duff. With just over seven minutes left, the Minutemen added another score to seal the victory. Rutgers managed two touchdowns late in the game, but it was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

Impact on the program

The defeat marks the worst loss of Coach Greg Schiano’s second stint, which began in 2020. Since his return, Schiano has guided Rutgers to notable wins, including a victory over Michigan in 2020, a Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami (FL) in 2023, and a home upset of Washington in 2024. However, the loss to a team that went winless in 2025 raises concerns about the program’s momentum.

Rutgers has not lost to a non‑conference opponent outside of a bowl game since 2019, when they fell to Boston College. The loss to UMass ends that streak and underscores the challenges ahead as the Scarlet Knights travel to face Boston College next week.

Looking ahead

Coach Schiano and his staff will need to regroup quickly. A win in the upcoming road game could help restore confidence and halt the negative energy that has built up after Thursday’s defeat. Rutgers fans will be watching closely to see if the team can bounce back and stay competitive in the Big Ten this season.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.