UMass Football News--August 31st, 2026

 UMass adds former Minuteman and long time college level coach Kevin Coyle to the defensive staff.

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

The Rutgers website has Game #1 UMass vs Rutgers. 

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

 Above is a 57-minute College Football 27 simulation of the Rutger-UMass game.

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

The Star Press Muncie predicts the Ball State 2026 season and includes a 24-14 win over UMass.

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

CBS Sports has winners and losers from Week 0 of college football.

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

UMass Football News--August 30th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command reports the Rutgers game is a special event for UMass HC Joe Harasymiak.

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

 MSN has a post on Polymark (I had to look that one up) about the UMass-Rutgers odds and how to play them.

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

The NY Times has how to watch the Rutger-UMass, with streaming options.

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

If you missed it, #7 Rhode Island crushed Merrimack 34-7. Former UMass QB AJ Hairston went 12-23-145 and 0 TD's for the Warriors.

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

Sacremento State and Eastern Michigan, two 2026 future opponents, played last evening with Eastern Michigan winning 28-17.  The score was closer than the game as the EMU defense held Sacramento State to 10 offensive points and 3 of the 10 came off a EMU fumble deep in their own territory.

The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" reviews the EMU-Sacramento State game. 

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

Stonehill lost to Bryant 24-6 in their opener. Bryant was coming off two tough seasons (not counting their first ever FBS win over UMass), and looking to improve.

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

UMass Football News--August 29th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has a post covering Elijah Faulkner's development as a running back.

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

 Coach Harasymiak's Rutgers game press conference.

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

 

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

WGGB reports the Minutemen prep for their 2026 season. 

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

The AI Chat GPT predicts (not very accurately) Rutgers 34 UMass 17.

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

And from the invaluable Babylon Bee--Man's therapist suggests he may have an abusive relationship with his favorite sports team. UMass fans are totally there.

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

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut former UMass WR Jacobie Keeney-James. 

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

UMass Football News--August 28th, 2026

 

The WMUA team has preseason video #6. They discuss the Minuteman run game and more.

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

The Minuteman Command reports the UMass staff and players still believe.

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

The Scarlet Nation looks at the UMass-Rutgers game by the numbers. 

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

WMUA has a short post on UMass TE recruit Joel Gomez.

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

In yet another twist in college eligibility, a judge issued a order prohibiting college conferences from blocking NFL players declaring for the college transfer portal. 

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

UMass Football News--August 27th, 2026

 

The Minuteman Command reports on the teamwork between Timmy Hinspeter and Tyler Martin.

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

College Football News predicts Rutgers 44 UMass 10.

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

MSN on the best high school running backs in Massachusetts. Mentions UMass commit Nate Ellis. 

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

Dylan Lonergan talks about being named Rutgers starting quarterback.

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

Sports Illustrated Pre-Season All-Americans. List includes Kent State kick returner Da'Realyst Clark.  I watched him run back a UMass kickoff on the first play of last year's game.

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

Covers.com thinks Rutgers is 50-50 on a 4.5 win total.

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

The SEC has quashed LSU's attempt to add two former NFL players and their basketball team's attempt to sign former NBA (and UMass player) RJ Lewis.

RJ Lewis' UMass bio. Fixed link.

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

 

UMass Football News--August 26th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has a post on Tyler Martin explaining the Minutemen's 9.09 mantra. 

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

College Football News predicts UMass to go 0-8 in MAC Conference play.

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

Eastern Michigan adds fireworks to their Friday night game. 

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

The MAC blog "Bye-the-Belt" previews the MAC season-opener Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan. This game should interest many UMass fans as the Minuteman play both teams near the beginning of the season and the results will make a big impact on our 2026 season.

 EMU's press conference on the Sacramento State game above.

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

The Sacramento State Hornets name Carson Conklin starting QB.  UMass will be seeing him early in the season.

Conklin's Sacramento State bio here. 

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

Miami (Ohio) is a pre-season favorite to make the MAC championship game, but they just lost their starting QB for the season.

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

UMass Football News--August 25th, 2026

 The Hampshire Gazette reports the UMass offense is coming together.

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

The Greenfield Recorder says UMass continues to fine-tune the defense.

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

The MAC Blog "By-the-Belt" previews the Akron Zips. UMass meets the Zips on November 18th.

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

Rutgers names Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan starting quarterback. Lonergan (Rutger bio) had a not-too-successful season with the Eagles last year. However, he should have more talent around him with the Scarlet Knights. During the last 5 years or so, BC has been near the bottom of ACC recruiting rankings.

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

Jaguars HC Liam Coen talks about his biggest career regret.

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