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UMass Celebrates The Minutemen's Win At Rutgers By Sweeping The Weekly MAC Awards

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Football

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football swept the Mid-American Conference weekly accolades, as senior quarterback William "Pop" Watson III earned MAC Offensive Player of the Week, senior safety Jahmad Harmon was named the Defensive Player of the Week and junior kicker Derek Morris tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week, as announced by the league.

It marks the first career weekly MAC honor for all three Minutemen.

Leading UMass to a 37-21 win at Big Ten foe Rutgers on September 3, Watson totaled 197 passing yards on an efficient 19-for-22 night (86.36%) while throwing for three touchdowns, including a 31-yard strike to Joseph Griffin Jr.

Watson III also rushed six times for 40 yards (6.7 yards per rush) and did not take a sack as the Minutemen snapped a 16-game losing streak and beat a current P4 opponent for the first time since joining FBS.

Watson III became the first UMass quarterback with three passing touchdowns and an 80% completion rate in a game in the FBS era, and the first since current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen in 2008. The win was the first for UMass since beating Wagner on October 26, 2024, and marked the program's first FBS win since winning at Army on Oct. 28, 2023.

Harmon had a pair of second half interceptions to help seal UMass' 37-21 win at Big Ten foe Rutgers on September 3. It marked the first two interceptions of his career.

An Indianapolis, Indiana native, Harmon also had three tackles (two solo) as the Minutemen snapped a 16-game losing streak.

Morris helped lead UMass to a 37-21 win at Big Ten foe Rutgers on September 3, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on extra points to account for 13 points in the win, which helped the Minutemen snap a 16-game losing streak and beat a current P4 opponent for the first time since joining the FBS ranks.

Morris hit field goals of 52, 31 and 30 yards. Also handling kickoff duties, he went 8-for-8 on forcing touchbacks.

UMass will host Sacred Heart at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 for the home opener at McGuirk Alumni Stadium (ESPN+).