UMass didn’t just snag a win over a power conference opponent on Thursday, they absolutely blew out Rutgers, winning 37-21 as massive 29.5-point underdogs to kick off the 2026 college football season. This wasn’t even close, people, and it was a shocker for anyone watching college football’s first Week 1 action. The Minutemen pulling this off is easily one of the biggest upsets you’ll see all season, and it’s only Week 1.
From Hapless to Hero: The UMass Story Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s be real: UMass has been stuck in the basement of college football for what feels like forever. They hadn’t won a game since October 26, 2024. Before Thursday night, their overall record since moving up to the top level in 2012 stood at a dismal 26-134. They went 0-12 last year, with that dreadful season even including a one-point loss to FCS-level Bryant. We’re talking about a program that’s only won more than four games in a season twice in the last 14 years, and went 0-4 in 2020. So when they finally beat a power conference team for the first time in their history as a top-level program, and did it by 16 points as nearly 30-point dogs, you have to stand up and applaud.
A huge shout-out has to go to UMass QB Pop Watson. The Virginia Tech transfer, a Massachusetts native, came home and threw three touchdowns in the first half alone. Think about that: he had just one TD pass over 63 attempts in three years with the Hokies! And this victory? It’s the very first for UMass coach Joe Harasymiak, who previously served as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024 before taking over in Amherst. What a way to get your first W as a head coach.
Rutgers’ Nightmare Start Could Turn into a Season-Long Horror Show
Now, let’s talk about Rutgers. What in the world was that? They looked like the far inferior opponent, getting absolutely carved up by a team that hadn’t found a win in over a year. Scarlet Knights QB Dylan Lonergan coughed up four turnovers, with his third interception at 4:35 left in the game basically slamming the door shut on any miracle comeback hopes. This loss isn’t just a bad beat, it could be a massive red flag for their whole season.
Rutgers finished 5-7 in 2025, narrowly missing out on a bowl game. With games against USC, Indiana, Michigan, and Penn State coming up in Big 12 play, the road ahead is brutal. This crushing Week 1 defeat makes a second straight season without a postseason appearance look incredibly, incredibly likely. September just started, and the Scarlet Knights are already facing an uphill battle that feels almost insurmountable.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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