UMass Football News--October 28th

 

The UConn "Daily Campus" recaps the Huskies-Minutemen game. UConn WR Shmar Porter became a trivia question answer as he scored a TD wearing two different jersey numbers.

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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" has another interview with MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. He said the new MAC media deal is nearly finalized. The link also has video of the interview.  

The Conference media package is a big deal for the Minutemen as UMass did not receive any media money as an Independent.

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MAC Reports Online records Buffalo RB Messiah Burch was a MAC player-of-the-Week as he ran for 184 yards against Bowling Green. He gained 172 yards and averaged 6.1 yards a carry against UMass and was a big factor in Buffalo's win.

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Yahoo Sports reports big money for quarterbacks has created a back-up QB crisis.

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UMass Football News--October 27th, 2026

 The Ball State website notes the Cardinals and UMass will kick off the start of mid-week MACtion November 4th at McGurik

The UMass-Ball State series is tied 2-2 with the last UMass win in 2014 under Mark Whipple. It was a 24-10 victory at McGuirk.

Ball State is the only MAC team on this year's schedule that we do not have a losing record.

All-time records for the remaining teams: 

Akron 2-4

Ball State 2-2

Bowling Green 0-5

Toledo 1-8 (last win 1976) 

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The Southwick Jug trophy turns up at UConn.  Great to know it hasn't been lost.

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I subscribe to PFF and they rank UMass #121 with a 1% chance to make a bowl.

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The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" has its "Monday Musings" covering the weekend's MAC conference games.

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UMass Football News--October 27th, 2026

 

The Minuteman Command reports Coach Harasymiak says UMass needs the bye week.

Besides the gameday decisions, Harasymiak said Zeraun Daniel has practiced only on Fridays since the Sacramento State game, and Pop Watson had just two walkthroughs before he returned.

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After last week, UMass is tied for 10th in the MAC standings with just one conference win. 

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The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" has a post on MAC conference commissioner Steinbrecher on the 24-team CFP and possible changes to the MAC. 

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UMass is #113 in ESPN's college football rankings after the UConn defeat. 

UConn is #67, far above any MAC team---and above Boston College.

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UMass Football News--October 25th, 2026

 

 

Coach Harasymiak's post-UConn press conference.

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The Minuteman Command said UConn dispatched the Minutemen.

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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" reports UMass fell apart against the Huskies.

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Northwestern rang up 500+ yards of offense and beat Rutgers 42-14. 

Stonehill beat LIU 18-14. 

Sacramento State lost to Ball State 34-17. 

Eastern Michigan lost a close one to Ohio 24-20.

The Miami Redhawks edged Central Michigan 28-27.

Toledo hooked up with Western Michigan and won 45-38 in an exciting game. 

Akron lost to Kent State 35-20. 

Buffalo ran for 252 yards and beat Bowling Green 31-24.

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UMass Football News--October 24th, 2026

Well, we'll always have September. October was winless. UConn was the better team yesterday. The Huskies had a better offense and special teams. Defense was about even.

There was some good news. Pop Watson was back as was Joe Griffin. That bodes well for the last third of the season.

The bad news was for the third game in a row, UMass decisively lost the special teams play. The offense was backed up starting drives most of the game and we had a punt blocked for a TD.

Five three-and-outs in a row probably decided the game. Pop Watson looked a little off in his passing in the first half and a slew of penalties prevented the Minutemen from gaining any traction.

We're off until November 4th, so the players can get some rest and recovery.

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 UMass write-up here.

UConn write-up here. 

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CBS Sports reports Kalieb Osbourne totals 3 TD's to lead UConn to a 35-16 victory. 

The Daily Collegian reports UMass' freefall continued at UConn. 

MassLive says Pop Watson returns, but UMass suffers 4th consecutive loss. 

Fox 61 says UConn overwhelms UMass under the lights. 

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Sacred Heart beat Hampton 35-21.

The rest of UMass' opponents play today.

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Game Day --UConn 2026

 

Well, today should be a big challenge playing a good Husky team on the road with a short week and a short roster.

However, its a rivalry game. UMass' good defense should keep the game within reach. What we need to eliminate mistakes and score some points. Upsetting UConn would make the season worthwhile right there. We'll have to see how many, if any, of the game time injury decisions break our way. 

It should be a good atmosphere and a good game for New England football. Ancient enemies UMass and UConn on a Friday night. If you like college football, this is what it's all about.

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

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Sports Gambler says take the Minutemen and the points. 

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Fox 61 reports UConn welcomes a rejuvenated UMass to The Rent tonight. 

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The Hartford Courant says Bar Stool Sports will join the UMass-UConn game.

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MassLive.com reports Polymarket Analytics thinks UConn has a 86.6 % chance of winning the game. 

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The UConn Report says there will be more eyes than ever for tonight's Huskies-Minutemen game.

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The Minuteman Command welcomes Latish Kinsler to discuss the latest in college sports recruiting and UMass' place in that world.

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UMass Football News--October 22nd, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has two posts:

Coach Harasymiak and Coach Campanile reunite on opposite sides Friday night. 

The Minuteman Command looks at the PFF grades for the Buffalo game. 

 I was there and I thought Logan Inagawa played a good game, especially for his first start. He was hampered (as Pop Watson would have been) by the fact the top-three UMass WR's were out.He threw for 168 yards and he was the leading rusher (not counting sack yardage) with 93 yards. Also for the second game in a row, the offense did not have very good field position for most of the game. With Ty Harding out, UMass had zero return yards, while Buffalo had 96 total return yards plus 14 punt return yards. 

In close games, field position counts a lot.. 

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UMass Athletics adds a three-year sponsorship from Greenfield Savings bank.

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Patch.com reports UMass-UConn is getting a double shot of Barstool Sports coverage.

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UMass football helmets get the "Scrip-U" logo for the UConn game.

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Yahoo Sports predicts UConn 34 UMass 20.

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CT Insider says Friday night with UMass and UConn is special.

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