Game Day--Buffalo 2026

Well, it was a rainy and windy drive from New Hampshire to Buffalo yesterday It's just about dawn as I write this and it looks clear and cold. It's 40 degrees now and the game is only supposed to hit about 45.

UMass needs to stop the losing streak as UConn and Toledo are on the horizon. The UMass defense has been playing well and I expect a low scoring game. If the defense can generate a couple of turnovers, I think the game is winnable.   Logan Inagawa performed well in last week's final drive. He'll center stage today.

BTW, in the Amherst vs Amherst thing, my GPS insists we're in Buffalo.. 

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

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 The Minuteman Command has "Know your Opponent" for the Buffalo game.

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The Big Lead thinks UMass will beat the spread.

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By-theBelt  predicts Buffalo 24 UMass 21.

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College Sports Wire thinks the reverse: UMass 24- Buffalo 21.

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UMass Football Blog News

 

Mrs Blog and I are off to Buffalo to see the Minutemen-Bulls game. 

 The last time I was there was in 2013 when the Bulls and Khalil Mack crushed the Minutemen 32-3 in a freezing cold rainstorm. 

Khalik Mack personally wrecked the UMass offense with a dominate performance. 

I'm hoping for better weather and a better result tomorrow. 

UMass Football News--October 16th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has what changed for UMass during its two-game loss streak according to PFF.

I subscribe to PFF. They purport to analyze every play of every game. Then they assign player effectiveness grades per game and per year. Like recruiting ratings that go to three digits you have to take this with several grains of salt. The ratings are probably broadly informative, but not something to get too worked up about.

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Barstool  Football Broadcast Show will be at Rentschler  Stadium for the UMass-UConn game!

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UMass drops to 8th in By-the-Belt's Week #5 MAC conference power rankings.

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By-the-Belt also comments on the soon-to-be 24 team college football playoff. 

They don't like it, but it brings FBS football in line with the playoffs of the other divisions.

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UMass Football News--October 15th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command reports UMass faces quarterback adjustments at Buffalo.

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 UMass is in the top-30 in total defense so far in 2026. It's an amazin' change from 2025 when we were dead last or near dead last in every defensive category.

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UMass' game notes for Buffalo. 

Buffalo's  game notes for UMass.

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The Hampshire Gazette says UMass faces quarterback uncertainty in its game against Buffalo.

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UMass is #105 in ESPN's power rankings after the loss to Miami (Ohio).

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UMass Football News-October 14th, 2026

 

Derek Morris nails a program record 56 yard field goal.

Morris is one of the Athletic Dept's athletes-of-the-week.

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Buffalo coach Pete Lembo relates the Bulls are also dealing with a spate of injuries.

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The Bulls media team recaps Buffalo's big win over Toledo.

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Buffalo is a -6 to -6.5 favorite over UMass according to Vegas.

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UMass Football News--October 13th, 2026

 

Coach Harasymiak's Buffalo game weekly press conference.

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The MAC Blog recaps the UMass-Miami (Ohio) game.

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The Minuteman Command reports UMass' quarterback depth could be tested again against Buffalo. 

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Player stats for the Buffalo Bulls. Messiah Burch makes the Bulls rushing attack go.

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The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" recaps Saturday's games.

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UMass' last game in FCS was a November 19th 2011 loss to James Madison 34-17. JMU just announced they're leaving the Sun Belt to jump to the American Conference.

James Madison is interested in increasing their athletic footprint. They have to pay $23 million to join, but the American has a reported $1 billion media package. Ya gotta pay some to get some..

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UMass Football News--October 12th, 2026

 Adam Breneman breaks down UMass' failed two-point conversion.

After reading Christian McCollum's post and watching Adam's video, the play was much closer than it appeared from the stands. Inagawa was wide open and would have walked in for the conversion. The Miami linebacker just made a great play, timing his blitz perfectly and blew up the attempt.

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 Tyler Martin's post Miami press appearance.

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ESPN recaps the UMass-Miami (Ohio) game.

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The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" recaps next week's opponent Buffalo's stunning upset of Toledo.  

The Buffalo News has three takeaways from the Bulls upset of Toledo. 

The Bulls were looking like they were headed for a down year prior to that game. They were 2-3 for the year and they struggled for their two wins over FCS opponents. The Bulls will be amped up for next week's game against the Minutemen.

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UMass Football News--October 11th, 2026

 

Well, a failed two-point conversion upstaged a awesome effort by the UMass defense. Of the 20 points Miami scored 10 came after two offensive turnovers (downs and a fumble). In the second half its seemed the Redhawks had the ball at mid-field the entire half. The UMass defense really played well, repeatedly stopping Miami. It was the best defensive effort UMass fans have seen in years.

Aedan McCarthy played most of the game at QB. He did OK. Pop Watson was at the game in a walking boot. 

Logan Inagawa came in and immediately jump started the UMass offense. The Minutemen made a length-of-the-field two minute drill to score with 1 second remaining.

I haven't watched the post game press conference yet, but I did not  like the two-point conversion decision. The defense was playing great. UMass was amped up and had the momentum. I think Inagawa and the defense would have won it in overtime. Just one man's opinion..

Also I didn't like the two-point call. I would have gone five-wide to spread the Redhawks defense and given Inagawa the choice to throw it or run. He's quick.  However, UMass may have had a special play they liked. It went nowhere during that try, however.

UPDATE: Christian McCollum has a detailed breakdown of two-point decision and the play call. 

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UMass write-up here. 

Miami (Ohio) write-up here. 

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The Minuteman Command says the UMass comeback fell short. 

Coach Harasymiak's post game press conference. 

MassLive.com said UMass falls on a failed two-point conversion.

Pro Football Network has a post with lots of rumors about Watson's injury. 

The Daily Collegian reports UMass lost a heartbreaker. 

The Hampshire Gazette said a failed two-point conversion stops a UMass come-back. 

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Rutgers had a bye.

UMass' two FCS opponents (Sacred Heart and Stonehill) played each other and Stonehill won. 

 Bowling Green clobbered Sacramento State 38-10.

Eastern Michigan escaped Akron 25-23. 

Buffalo went to the Glass Bowl and stomped Toledo 23-8 to blast open the MAC conference championship race. 

UConn rang up over 500 yards of offense and beat Temple 34-20. 

Ball State lost 45-14 to Power Four Northwestern. 

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