The Minuteman Command previews the 2026 UMass running backs.
The Minuteman run game was perhaps the biggest bust of the 2025 season. UMass averaged 2.70 yards/run and 81.4 yards a game.
A great deal of hype is being centered around Pop Watson, but if he's consistently coming up to the line of scrimmage and it's 3rd and seven or eight all the time he's not going to have good stats. It's a good rule of thumb if you can run the ball, you've got a good looking QB.
Last year Rocco Griffin was a bust. He had a good first quarter against Temple and disappeared for the rest of the season. Part of the problem was the offensive line, but still..
With Jordan Washington out for the start of the season, UMass will lean on Justin Williams-Thomas and Curtis Kimmons.
I like freshman RB's TK Davis and Justin Lewis. NCAA rules allow a player to play in four games without burning his redshirt and if the running game sputters again, I'd give the two freshmen a shot.
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The MAC Conference blog "By-the-Belt" looks at the declining willingness of Power Four teams to play at MAC venues.
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Sacramento State begins a "fast,violent and physical" fall camp.
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