Image courtesy of UMass Athletics One night after another embarrassing showing for the UMass football program, the Minutemen made a significant addition. On Wednesday afternoon, the school officially announced that former Minuteman player and longtime URI Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn would become the new Senior Deputy Athletic Director. In a statement, the school says Bjorn will serve as the Chief Administrative Officer and oversee the football program. “I am honored……

Image courtesy of UMass Athletics Another night, another disappointing performance for the Minutemen. UMass had its first true ‘MACtion’ game in the middle of the week on Tuesday night when the Minutemen visited Akron. Unfortunately, the new era in the MAC has led to many of the same results fans have grown far too accustomed to. UMass lost in pretty embarrassing fashion, 44-10, dropping to 0-9 on the year and…

Image courtesy of ESPN By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen (0-7, 0-3) play their final game on a Saturday this season when they travel to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas (4-3, 2-1) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. With weekday MACtion looming around the corner for the month of November, this will be the final game the Minutemen prepare for like a traditional gameweek. 1st Down: After dropping a heartbreaking 28-21…

By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff AMHERST – There aren’t many scripts left in Hollywood that the UMass Minutemen haven’t followed to find a way to lose. In front of 15,239 fans at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Amherst, UMass (0-7, 0-3 MAC) spoiled Family Weekend with a late 28-21 collapse against the Buffalo Bulls (4-3, 3-0 MAC). Leading 21-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Minutemen were on…

Image courtesy of ESPN By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen (0-6) welcome the Buffalo Bulls (3-3) to McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon still in search of their first win of the season. Coming off an embarrassing 42-6 loss at Kent State last weekend, the Minutemen are looking to bounce back from what some considered one of their worst defeats in the FBS era. 1st Down: Sophomore…

Image courtesy of ESPN By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen (0-5) travel to Ohio to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-4) in their second Mid-American Conference matchup of the season. Undoubtedly each program has this game circled on their calendars coming into 2025 as a must win, making this holiday weekend showdown incredibly important for both teams. 1st Down: UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak spoke after his…

By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff AMHERST – A warm autumn afternoon was the setting for Western Michigan’s 21-3 win over the UMass Minutemen on homecoming weekend in another disappointing day at McGuirk Stadium. In front of 10,014 people in attendance, the Broncos (3-3, 2-0 MAC) committed to their ground game and rode out the Minutemen for 217-rushing-yards. Despite starting slow in the first half, Western Michigan redshirt sophomore quarterback Broc…

Image courtesy of ESPN By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen (0-4) host the Western Michigan Broncos (2-3) on Saturday afternoon looking for their first win of the season. With large crowds expected for homecoming weekend, the Minutemen have an opportunity to steady the ship after a tumultuous September. 1st Down: An expected 42-6 blowout loss at the hands of Mizzou finished up a brutal stretch for UMass to start…

By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent AMHERST – Located just 6.5 miles north of the campus of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst sits Mount Sugarloaf. With its sweeping views of the Pioneer Valley and open rock faced slopes to its south, one could say there’s enough room for a “Mount Rushmore” should anyone ever be interested in such a project. If the UMass Athletics department were up to task, no doubt…