The UMass Minutemen opened their college football season with a commanding 37-21 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, ending a 16-game losing streak against FBS opponents. The win, achieved on Sept. 3, 2026, marked UMass's first defeat of a current power conference team since November 1978.
UMass entered the game as significant underdogs but displayed dominant play throughout. The Minutemen established a 24-7 lead by halftime and never relinquished control. Quarterback William Watson III contributed to the offensive success, including a 31-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Griffin Jr. that extended the UMass lead.
The UMass defense also played a crucial role, with safety Jahmad Harmon intercepting Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan twice in the second half. UMass recorded three interceptions in total against Lonergan. The Minutemen's performance was described as a "pure domination from start to finish."