By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Correspondent AMHERST – Following the stunning win over Rutgers last week, UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak’s group had a next game mentality as they quickly shifted their focus to Sacred Heart. That focus showed itself early and often in their home opener, a dominant 37-10 victory over FCS opponent Sacred Heart from the NEC. “The start of the game is exactly what we talked about,” said Harasymiak…….

By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen welcome the Sacred Heart Pioneers to McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their 2026 home opener. In wake of last week’s 37-21 win at Rutgers, the shine couldn’t be brighter on the program who look to build off their upset and win consecutive games for the first time since 2023. 1st Down: The UMass offense under senior quarterback William “Pop”…

By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent PISCATAWAY, NJ – With the lights of college football shining brightly upon them, for the first time in 15 years since joining the FBS in 2012, UMass said enough was enough. In front of 42,454 fans at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, the Minutemen didn’t just dominate the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to the tune of 37-21, they made another team the butt of the…

Image courtesy of ESPN By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen kick-off their 2026 campaign on Thursday evening when they travel to SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Second year head coach Joe Harasymiak and his squad hope to make a strong first impression on the UMass faithful after a disappointing 0-12 finish in 2025. 1st Down: Newly minted starting quarterback…

UMass Athletics By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent The UMass Minutemen return to the gridiron for the 2026 season under second year head coach Joe Harasymiak looking to change the narrative of the program. After a dreadful 2025 campaign that saw the program finish 0-12 for the first time since joining the FBS in 2012, things can only go up from here for a team picked to finish last in the…

Image courtesy of UMass Athletics AMHERST – If UMass is going to have any chance of turning things around in 2026, the defense is going to have to get off the field. Every football team at any level can say that, but if the Minutemen have to win shootouts – even with Pop Watson now slinging it to Joe Griffin and T.Y. Harding – it’ll be an uphill climb for…

Image courtesy of UMass Athletics AMHERST – If UMass is going to shake its perennial embarrassment label in 2026, it’ll be mainly because of Pop Watson. That’s not to say wins and losses solely rest on the quarterback’s shoulders, but in a time where the Minutemen need new leadership, having a local star like Watson take control of the program, allowing everyone to fall behind him, is going to be…

Image courtesy of UMass Athletics  AMHERST – UMass is no longer the worst college football team in the country. At least for now. The road to redemption after an 0-12 campaign officially started on Monday morning with the first training camp practice of the summer for the Minutemen. Following practice, second-year head coach Joe Harasymiak met with the media. Here’s everything he had to say: Opening statement “Good to have…