UMass football upsets Rutgers 37-21 to snap 16-game losing streak

The UMass Minutemen secured a historic 37-21 upset victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday night, snapping a 16-game losing streak and marking their first win against a power conference opponent since 1978. Entering the game as 29.5-point underdogs, UMass dominated several phases of play, forcing five turnovers and outrushing Rutgers 200-30.

Quarterback William “Pop” Watson III, a transfer from Virginia Tech, led the Minutemen with 197 passing yards and three touchdowns, while adding 40 yards on the ground. Elijah Faulkner contributed two receiving touchdowns, and Joseph Griffin Jr. added another. UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak, formerly a defensive coordinator at Rutgers, led the team to a commanding halftime lead that they maintained throughout the second half.

For Rutgers, the loss was a significant setback. Head coach Greg Schiano admitted to being “outcoached and outplayed,” stating, “I didn’t expect that at all.” The Scarlet Knights struggled offensively and defensively, with quarterback Dylan Lonergan throwing three interceptions. The defeat has drawn scrutiny regarding the program's performance and the reported $1.55 million payout Rutgers made to host UMass for the game.