UMass Football News--November 5th, 2026

 

Well, UMass sure made it more difficult than needed, but Pop Watson starred in overtime to give UMass its fifth victory of the season. Five wins is the most in FBS era history and sets up for more possible achievements.

A bowl game is still in play, as is a .500 season. The Minutemen's win is the first time since 2011 UMass has had a winning record in November.

A missed easy field goal, three points instead of a TD in the forth quarter, and giving up a late opponent TD to tie the game made it more difficult than needed, but UMass deserved the win. Minutemen fans finally have a season to celebrate.

Maybe more good things to come.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

UMass write-up here. 

Ball State write-up here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Minuteman Command says UMass pulled it out. 

The Hampshire Gazette reports Pop Watson propels UMass to victory. 

The MAC Blog "Bye-the-Belt" reports UMass snaps a 20-game home FBS losing streak. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Michigan ran over Eastern Michigan 35-7. 

Sacramento State gave Toledo all they could handle, but fell 20-17.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Game Day-- Ball State 2026

https://x.com/UMassFootball/status/2117995303227768857/photo/1 

It's a big game for the Minutemen today. UMass needs to stop the slide of a four-game losing streak. The game is at home at McGuirk and according to Harasymiak, the Minutemen should be close to full strength. UMass really needs this game to have a shot at a .500 season. A win would make an FBS record for UMass and provide momentum for the final three games.

UMass needs to get serious and win this game. Ball State is in the Minutemen's wheelhouse. A win today would  be a major milestone for the program.

I'll be watching and cheering for our side.

Go UMass!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harasymiak calls the Riccio gift a "Pivotal  Moment" for the UMass football program.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The Star Press scouts the Ball State-UMass game and predicts a Minuteman victory.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" has two stories"

MAC Week #8 power rankings.

 10 things you need to know before watching mid-week MACtion.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

College Sports Wire predicts UMass 24 Ball State 23.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Last night Ohio beat Akron 28-20. 

…post text…

— Name (@handle) Date

You gotta watch this run by Akron RB Jordan Gant. He runs through the entire Ohio defense.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buffalo won another overtime game against Miami (Ohio).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

UMass Football News--November 3rd, 2026

 Caoch Harasymiak's Friday press conference.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Minuteman Command has Harasymiak's comments on Dallas Elliott's illness. 

 Elliott's GoFundMe page if you are interested in helping his fight.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After this weekend's games, the ESPN Power Index has UMass at #123 with a 4.7% chance to win out and a 78.9% chance to reach 6 wins.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Fan Duel has UMass-Ball State game stats and a prediction the Minutemen have a 67.5% chance of victory.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

College Football News predicts UMass 27 Ball State 24.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cardinal Media reports Ball State prepares for mid-week MACtion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

UMass Football News--November 2nd, 2026

 The latest edition of UMass' Plant-the-Flag podcast. Interviewed is senior Safety Zeraun Daniel.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

"X" post by Jason Yellin about Josh Mauer. 

Jason Yellin and  Josh Mauer were great at UMass. I miss them both.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 AP News has a breakdown of Wednesday's UMass-Ball State game. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vegas has UMass a 3.5 point favorite over Ball State.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

My early morning sessions working on the blog have been more fun lately..

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--November 1st, 2026

 WWLP has a post on Dallas Elliott's illness.

The Hampshire Gazette also has a short post on Elliott. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

 Rutgers made a spirited effort against Michigan, but lost 28-21.

Sacred Heart moved to .500 with a big comeback win over Stony Brook. 

Stonehill held off Mercyhurst 34-28. 

Eastern Michigan plays Wednesday. 

Sacramento State earned their first ever MAC win over Kent State. 

Miami (Ohio) plays Tuesday.

Buffalo plays Tuesday.

UConn lost to Air Force 35-26. 

Ball State plays UMass Wednesday.

Toledo plays Sacramento State Wednesday.

Bowling Green lost to Western Michigan 23-10.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

UMass Football News--Bye Week 2026

 

Coach Harasymiak's Monday press conference on a Friday.

Sad news as Harasymiak revealed that WR Dallas Elliott has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and has started treatment. Elliott was one of the three stating WR's at the beginning  of the season.

Several local news sources have stories about Elliot, but all are paywalled.   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass's game notes for Ball State are up. 

Ball State's game notes for UMass. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ball State's coach Mike Uremovich does not like the 24-team college football playoffs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Yahoo Sports has how UMass, Boston College and North Carolina can qualify for a bowl game.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Fan Sided has five college football teams getting the worst return on their NIL money.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

UMass Football News--October 30th, 2026

 

UMass football receives a major donation to support the script "U" scholarship fund.

The Minuteman Command has a post on the donation. 

WWLP has a story on the Riccio's donation to the program. 

This is a big boost for the UMass football program. A mere four wins brought national attention to the University. In a vast majority of the states the state university receives solid support from all manner  of interest groups. Football is a sport that unites the alumni, the students and the citizens of many states ---and that translates into financial support of the  university.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phil Vandersea passes away. Vandersea was a decades-long supporter of the program. He will be missed..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ball State is 3-5 overall, but three of their losses are to Ohio State, Liberty (5-1 and at the top of CUSA) and Toledo. 

We do get them at home and we badly need a victory.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------