UMass Football Blog

Monday, October 27, 2025

UMass Football News--October 27th, 2025

Hustle Belt recaps the UMass-Central Michigan game and says the Chippewas cruised to a victory.

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The Daily Collegian reports UMass gashed in loss to Central Michigan.

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Pinal Central recaps the Minutemen-Chippewas game and said Central Michigan extended UMass' losing streak to twelve games.

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Central Michigan Life said the Chippewas trounced UMass.

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In MAC Conference standings, Miami (Ohio) is 4-0 and Ohio, Buffalo, Central Michigan and Western Michigan are 3-1.

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After firing Brian Kelly, LSU will pay the second largest buyout in college football history.

It's been an historic season for coach firings.

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Sunday, October 26, 2025

UMass Football News--October 26th, 2025

UMass was handled by a better, more talented Central Michigan team. The Minutemen gave a commendable effort with so many players out.

The defense played with effort and had 7 TFL, which against the Chippewas' "heavy" run game (with a full back), is difficult. They also had a forced fumble and again UMass failed to score after a turnover. The defense battled all day and I can't complain about their results with so many new starters.

On offense, AJ Hairston was facing pressure on nearly every throw. He was not helped by at least three or four drops that stalled UMass drives. Jacquon Gibson, playing hurt, had a wide open drop on the first series and did not return to the game.

The Minutemen did as well as they could against a solid MAC Central Michigan team. If UMass could get some injured players back, I think they could still win a game this year.

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UMass write-up here.

Central Michigan's write-up here.

Hustle Belt reports Central Michigan cruised to victory.

Minuteman Command says injury-riddled UMass was run over by the Chippewas.

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Temple moved their win total to five with an overtime win over Tulsa. With four games remaining, the Owls should be bowl eligible.

Bryant lost to Rhode Island 38-17.

Iowa pounded Minnesota 41-3.

Missouri lost the game and their quarterback to Vanderbilt.

Western Michigan lost to Miami (Ohio).

Buffalo was upset by Akron 24-16.

Northern Illinois beat Ball State 21-7

Ohio beat Eastern Michigan 28-21.

Kent State picked up their second win of the season with a victory over Bowling Green.

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UConn was upset by Rice in double overtime. The Huskies are 5-3 and all three losses were in overtime..

Boston College made a good effort, but fell to 1-7 with a loss to Louisville.

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Saturday, October 25, 2025

Game Day Central Michigan--2025

Today will be a big challenge for the Minutemen with their injury list. The Chippewas are a strong running team. Last week against Bowling Green, Central Michigan rushed 46 times and threw the ball only five.

Detroit Free Press image

I remember our previous stint in the MAC and watching Central Michigan's Zurlon Tipton run over our asses. Tipton would go on to bizarrely die of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

UMass played well against Buffalo with about the same number of injuries. The reserves will have to step up to keep the game manageable. If the offense can generate some points, we could keep this game close.

I'll be watching the game and cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!

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Hustle Belt has a late edition of the Week #8 MAC power rankings.

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BroBible comments on UMass' injury situation.

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Central Michigan's website says the Chippewas refuse to look past winless UMass.

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Friday, October 24, 2025

UMass Football News--October 24th, 2025

The Minuteman Command reports UMass will have numerous substitutes playing for Central Michigan game. I've been following Minuteman football for a long time, but I don't think I've ever seen a rash of injuries like this year.

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Hustle Belt previews the Central Michigan-UMass game.

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Meanwhile the parking at McGuirk is unsatisfactory.

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Sports Book Wire predicts Central Michigan 33 UMass 13.

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Saturday's game is Homecoming for the Chippewas. Coach Drinkall says it's time to celebrate.

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UCLA has been struggling for two decades and USA Today says it's the administration's fault.

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Thursday, October 23, 2025

UMass Football News--October 23rd, 2025

Rene and new Minuteman Command partner Christian McCollum have Episode #27 of the Flagship Podcast.

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Central Michigan has their game notes for UMass up.

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Vegas Insider has the Chippewas a 16 to 15 point favorite over the Minutemen.

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Hampshire Gazette image

Syracuse calls in Don Brown to help its defense. Good to see Coach Brown back with college football.

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Sports Book Wire thinks Central Michigan will cover the spread.

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The Daily Collegian reports UMass takes on Central Michigan for its second conference road game of the season. Coach Harasymiak says some scout teams players may be first team as Ryan Barnes, David Onuoha, Derrieon Craig, Shambre Jackson and Timmy Hinspeter are out.

On offense TE's Reece Adkins and Max Dowling are out and Rocko Griffin and Jacquon Gibson are questionable.

Man, that's a lot of injuries..

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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

UMass Football News--October 22nd, 2025

Central Michigan's Jordan Kwiatkowski earns the MAC Defensive Player-of-the-Week.

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The Minuteman Command's Mike and Rene break down the final minute of the Buffalo game.

Enough already with the laments about the end of the Buffalo game. The important takeaway was that we were good enough to nearly beat one of the MAC's top teams. We were not even competitive earlier. The Buffalo game showed we can and should win some games.

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UMass and UCF reschedule their 2026 game to 2029

This makes next year's schedule easier. UCF plays in the Big Twelve. They are 4-3 in 2025 and pounded West Virginia 45-13 in their last game.

So the 2026 UMass schedule looks like:

09/05 - at Rutgers
09/12 - Sacred Heart
10/24 - at UConn
11/28 - at Hawaii

That's an attractive schedule. Only one Power Five team and Rutgers is not Iowa or Missouri. Hawaii is 6-2 in the Mountain West and should be in our wheelhouse as a Group-of-Five team.

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