UMass 37, Rutgers 21
Boxscore
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - UMass turned a second-quarter takeaway into the decisive scoring surge and defeated Rutgers 37-21 for a Fly the Flag victory to open the 2026 season on Sept. 3.
Romando Johnson sacked the Rutgers quarterback, forced a fumble and recovered it at the Scarlet Knights' 36. Two plays later, Pop Watson III connected with Joseph Griffin Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-7 during a run of 17 unanswered points before halftime.
Rutgers opened the game with a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by KJ Duff's 4-yard touchdown reception. The Minutemen answered in less than three minutes, moving 75 yards in seven plays and tying the score on Elijah Faulkner's 21-yard touchdown catch. Elijah Faulkner added a 2-yard scoring reception early in the second quarter to put UMass ahead for good, and Derek Morris made a 30-yard field goal with 3:42 remaining to send the visitors into halftime with a 24-7 advantage.
Watson III directed an efficient offense, completing 19-of-22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns without an interception while adding 40 rushing yards. The Minutemen finished with 397 total yards, including 200 on the ground, and held the ball for 36:21. Elijah Faulkner rushed 19 times for 62 yards in addition to two touchdown catches, while Kimmons Curtis IV led the rushing attack with 78 yards on 11 carries. Morris contributed 13 points, converting all three field-goal attempts and four extra points.
Morris opened the second-half scoring with a 52-yard field goal after the Minutemen possessed the ball for 6:38. The defense then stopped Rutgers on fourth-and-1 at UMass' 12, preserving a 27-7 lead.
Massachusetts recorded five sacks and forced four turnovers overall. Isaiah Reed intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter, and Jahmad Harmon added two interceptions. Timmy Hinspeter led the defense with nine tackles, while Zeraun Daniel recorded seven tackles, one sack and a pass breakup.
Rutgers cut the margin to 30-14 when KJ Duff scored on a 78-yard reception on fourth-and-13 with 7:09 remaining, but Jahmad Harmon's second interception set up the clinching score. Curtis IV raced 17 yards for a touchdown eight seconds later, restoring a 37-14 lead. Duff, who finished with nine catches for 196 yards and all three Rutgers touchdowns, added a 6-yard scoring reception with 1:57 left. Griffin Jr. recovered the ensuing onside kick, allowing the Minutemen to run out the clock and secure the 37-21 victory.
