By Ryan Barry

NEFJ Staff

A picture-perfect fall day at McGuirk Alumni Stadium was the setting for a dominant, 35-7 win for the UMass Minutemen over the Wagner Seahawks.

Needing a resounding win coming off their first bye week of the season, the Minutemen delivered one of their best all-around games in 2024.

UMass (2-6) compiled 326 yards of total offense and allowed just 218 yards from the Seahawks (4-5).

Redshirt senior quarterback Taisun Phommachanh (10 of 18, 129 yards, two TD, INT; seven carries, 30 yards, two TD) had a solid day in the pocket, putting up one of his better dual-threat performances of his career in a Minuteman uniform.

UMass used all four of its regular running backs to great effect, with redshirt junior Brandon Campbell (eight carries, 63 yards, TD) and sophomore CJ Hester (nine carries, 46 yards) leading the way.

Defensively, the Minutemen had nine tackles for loss and two sacks, surrendering a season-lowest seven points as well.

The Minutemen had a season low in penalties, committing just three all game, with this being an area they have mightily struggled at this season.

The game started with disaster for the Minutemen, as Phommachanh’s first play from scrimmage was intercepted on an underthrown deep ball by sophomore Zachary Ricci.

Luckily for UMass, the defense responded with a quick stop to get the ball right back on offense, where the Minutemen got their first score of the day.

A quick four-play, 92-yard drive was capped off with a 36-yard touchdown catch by redshirt sophomore wide receiver TY Harding (three receptions, 49 yards, TD) to give the Minutemen a 7-0 lead.

After each team exchanged a punt possession, UMass senior defensive back Te’Rai Powell came up with a tipped ball interception to put the Minutemen back on offense.

Another impressive seven play, 44-yard drive was capped off with Phommachanh’s first rushing touchdown of the game to increase the lead to 14-0.

On the ensuing offensive possession, the Seahawks ate up a resounding 8:53 minutes of clock, only to turn the ball over on downs on a stuffed fourth down attempt at the Minuteman 31-yard line.

UMass punished the Seahawks again with Phommachanh’s second rushing touchdown of the day to increase its lead to 21-0 after a 13-play, 69-yard drive.

Wagner started the second half strong with their first scoring drive of the game to cut the lead to 21-7.

Graduate running back Andre Hines Jr., formerly of Boston College, scampered in from seven yards out to cap off a clock killing 10 minute, 15 play, 75-yard drive.

The UMass offense sputtered for a loss of four yards and a three and out on its next offensive possession, opening the door for the Seahawks to try and get back in the game.

Wagner made quick work of the Minutemen again but sputtered in the red zone at the 10-yard line to set up a field goal attempt.

Rather than take their chances and cut the lead to 11 early in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks attempted a fake only for the Minutemen to easily sniff it out and turn the ball over on downs.

Another poor possession from the UMass offense gave way to the Seahawks to try and make the game closer again, only for them to sputter out as well.

Harding made Wagner pay for a poor offensive possession with an outstanding 58-yard punt return for a touchdown with 7:58 to go in the third quarter to extend the UMass lead to 28-7.

The Minutemen put the game to bed just before the two minute timeout with a four yard run from Campbell to cap off a 35-7 scoreline.

November rolls in next weekend with a huge matchup for UMass as they travel to Starkville, Mississippi to take on the Bulldogs of Mississippi State.