UMass Football News--September 27th, 2026

 

Watch this.

Well it turned out I should'na fretted. UMass got up early due to Pop Watson and ran the ball to shorten the game. The Minutemen were in control from the git-go and never trailed.

The defense though was phenomenal . AFAIK, no UMass defense has held an FBS team to zero touchdowns in the FBS era. The defense held Sacramento State to the lowest score since November 10th, 2017 when UMass beat BYU 16-10.

The Hornet moved the ball between the 20 yard lines, but UMass was near perfect in the Red Zone. The defense added 4 TFL, 4 SACKS, 1 INT for a pick-six. The UMass pass rush tormented the Sacramento State QB all game.

UMass dominated on both sides of the ball. Welcome to 4-0. 

UPDATE: I gotta include this image from the Sacramento Bee

Jose Luis Villegas image

 UMass defense!!!

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UMass write-up here. 

Sacramento State write-up here.

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The Minuteman Command says UMass rolled past Sacramento State. 

 MassLive reports UMass dominates the Hornets.

Fox Sports reports the Minutemen are 4-0.

The MAC conference web site says the Minutemen are 4-0 for the first time since 2007. 

The Daily Collegian says UMass subdued Sacramento State.

The Collegian also says Pop Watson did it. 

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Rutgers won big Friday night.

Sacred Heart upset New Hampshire for their first ever CAA win.

Stonehill played another good first half, but faded in the second against MAC Ohio. 

Eastern Michigan dominated FCS Lindenwood.

In a game that may have implications for UMass, Miami (Ohio) beat UConn. 

Buffalo had trouble against FCS Robert Morris, but won 31-28. 

Ball State lost to Kent State 26-13.

Toledo crushed San Diego State 41-16. 

Akron lost to UNLV 38-10. 

Bowling Green lost a close one to USF.

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If you didn't see the game, ESPN has video highlights here. 

Game Day--Sacramento State 2026.

 This may be the most difficult game UMass has played since the start of the season. Just the time and travel adjustments are tough.

However, I think the UMass defense will play well. If UMass matches the physical effort that the Hornets will provide, I like the Minutemen's chances.

You know of course, if UMass does lose a game, all the students and bandwagon people will immediately jump off. UMass has already achieved a lot this season, and a loss does not derail the chance for a bowl game and a FBS-era record number of wins.  One game at a time..

I'll be watching the game on ESPN+ and cheering for the Minutemen.

Go UMass!!

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Liam Coan talks about his connection to UMass and his happiness about the Minutemen's start.

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By-the-Belt previews the Minutemen-Hornets game and one writer likes Sacramento State and one writer likes UMass.

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Mens Journal thinks UMass is the best story line in football right now.

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 Action Sports says take the under for Sacramento State's offense.

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The Sacramento State website has five facts for the Hornets-Minutemen game.

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Sports Illustrated has UMass #8 in its Group-of-Six power rankings.

They also like the under for the whole game. 

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Ex-UMass player Jeremiah McGill is making an impact for the Maine Black Bears.

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 Rutgers bombed an out-maned Howard 58-7 last night for their first win of the season.

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UMass Football News--September 25th, 2026

 UMass has some travel images and video over on "X".

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Zeke Altman and Cam Pellegrino join Christian McCollum in the Latest edition of the Flagship Pod.

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Yahoo Sports has a story about the 2029 UMass-UConn game.

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The Sacramento Bee has a story about Hornets QB Jackson Sharman. 

Sharman's Sacramento State bio.

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MassLive.com says Pop Watson has UMass buzzing.

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The Daily Collegian reports UMass travels cross country to open MAC conference play.

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 A CBS Sports betting pundit picks Sacramento State to upset UMass.

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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" has its week #3 MAC conference power rankings.

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By-the-Belt also previews a game featuring two of UMass' 2026 opponents:UConn vs Miami (Ohio). 

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Sports Illustrated has UMass #6 in its Group-of-six power rankings.

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San Diego Sports predicts Hornets 29 UMass 23.

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UMass Football News--September 24th, 2026

 

UMass is still alive in the college Football playoff hunt. Click on the image an Blogger displays a larger view

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The Minuteman Command says Coach Harasymiak considers Sacramento State a tough road opponent.

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After Week #3, the Athletic ranks UMass #95 in college football.

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UMass and UConn reschedule a game for 2029.

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NBC Boston reports UMass start 3-0 for the first time .

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Whoever is doing the video highlights for UMass games is doing a nice job.

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Today is the travel day to the West Coast for UMass football. Except for Hawaii, I think that's the longest road game in UMass history. It's also the first regular season game with a California team.

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UMass Football News--September 23rd, 2026

 

UMass at Sacramento State is a game UMass fans have not seen in many a year----a significant game. It's a league game, an historic fourth win-in-a-row and a game UMass is favored, rarity right there.

The Greenfield Recorder reports UMass heads to California for its league opener. 

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Sacramento State has their game notes for UMass up.

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William DePaepe UMass DT has been selected as one of the student athletes-of-the-week. 

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Football Scoop says three games into the season UMass has already hit its preseason over,

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Press Break wonder if the world is ready for a 4-0 UMass? 

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Channel 10 Boston reports UMass students are enthused about the Minutemen's win streak. 

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The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" has an interesting editorial about ESPN Game Day spurning  Western Michigan-Boise State game this weekend. That matchup could be the Group-of-Five's game of the year.

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UMass is in the Top-10 in the nation in rushing defense !!! Offense gets the fans excited; defense wins games.

UMass is #27 in total defense. 

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UMass Football News--September 22nd, 2026

Coach Harasymiak 's Sacramento State week press conference.

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UMass has it's game notes for Sacramento State up. 

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 UMass' next home game against Eastern Michigan will kickoff at 3;30 pm.

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 UMass punter Edward Phillipson was named to the Ray Guy Ray's Eight award for his performance last Saturday.

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UMass continues to rake in MAC conference Player-of-the-Week awards. DE William Depaepe and Derek Morris were named defensive and special teams players-of-the-week by the MAC 

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The Minuteman Command has a post about how not losing all the time has helped UMass recruiting. 

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The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" has it's Monday Morning Musings.

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UConn's Daily Campus has UMass included in a story about the most intriguing story lines in college football.

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ESPN has UMass #116 in it's weekly power rankings and has the Minutemen with a 95.9% chance of making 6 wins in 2026.  Holy crap!

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UMass Football News--September 21st, 2026

 

The Minuteman Command reports UMass responded to their first "storm" of the season.

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Sports Illustrated projects UMass vs Delaware in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. That would be a fun reunion with the Blue Hens.

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By-the-Belt reports UMass receives a couple of votes is the Top-25 Coaches Poll.

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USA Today has the complete Coaches Poll. Western Michigan is under rated.

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ESPN ranks the 35 unbeaten teams. 

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UMass opens -6 against Sacramento State.

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Press Break wonders if the world is ready for a 4-0 UMass? 

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