(BCSNN) — After falling behind 7-0 early, UMass delivered one of its most complete performances in years, ripping off 30 straight points and controlling nearly every phase of the game in a 37-21 season‑opening win over Rutgers on Thursday night. In front of 42,454 fans at SHI Stadium, the Minutemen showcased a rebuilt roster, a new quarterback, and a defense that refused to break.
Quarterback William “Pop” Watson III was electric in his UMass debut, completing 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to eight different receivers and never once looking rattled. His efficiency set the tone for an offense that piled up 200 rushing yards and repeatedly punished Rutgers for mistakes.
“Certainly super proud of the guys,” head coach Joe Harasymiak said. “Everything we’ve talked about, everything we’ve worked for came to fruition tonight. We played like I envisioned we could play from start to finish.”
Harasymiak, who spent three seasons as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator, earned his first career win as a head coach — and did so against his former employer. “It’s going to change around here,” he said. “I believed in it from the beginning. Just glad we were able to show it tonight.”
UMass’ offense found rhythm early. After Rutgers opened with a 12‑play touchdown drive, the Minutemen answered with a 75‑yard march capped by Elijah Faulkner’s first career touchdown, a 21‑yard grab that tied the game. Faulkner added a second touchdown in the second quarter, becoming the first UMass player with two receiving scores in a game since 2024.
The turning point came moments later. With Rutgers driving, Romando Johnson strip‑sacked quarterback Dylan Lonegran and recovered the fumble, setting up a 31‑yard touchdown from Watson to Joseph Griffin Jr. for a 21-7 lead. Griffin finished with 61 yards on two catches, including the score — his first at UMass after transferring from Boston College.
UMass kept its foot down. Running back Curtis Kimmons IV ripped off runs of 11 and 19 yards to set up a 30‑yard field goal from Derek Morris, who later drilled a season‑long 52‑yarder as part of a three‑field‑goal night. The Minutemen led 24-7 at halftime and 27-7 midway through the third.
Defensively, UMass was relentless. Jahmad Harmon intercepted two passes — the first multi‑pick game by a Minuteman since 2019 — while Isaiah Reed added another. Timmy Hinspeter led the team with nine tackles, and the defense forced four turnovers overall, including three interceptions and Johnson’s fumble recovery.
Rutgers briefly threatened with a 78‑yard touchdown strike early in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 30-14. But Harmon’s second interception moments later set up Kimmons IV’s 22‑yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 37-14 and effectively sealing the game. Rutgers added a late score, but UMass recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
The victory snapped multiple droughts. It was UMass’ first win since Oct. 26, 2024, its first FBS win since Oct. 28, 2023, and its first win over Rutgers since 1973. It also marked the program’s largest margin of victory over an FBS opponent since 2017 and its largest FBS road win since 2014.
UMass entered the season with 56 new faces, including 30 transfers, but Thursday’s performance suggested cohesion is forming quickly. Watson became the first UMass quarterback in the FBS era to throw three touchdowns with an 80% completion rate, and the Minutemen reached 200 rushing yards for the first time since 2024.
For Harasymiak, the win was validation. “I told them that we had to earn the right to win all camp, all winter, all spring,” he said. “They did it tonight.”
UMass returns home next week to host Sacred Heart on Sept. 12 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
