UMass Upset Rutgers: 5 Historic Takeaways From 37-21
Sep
UMass upset Rutgers 37-21 on Thursday, September 3, 2026, delivering one of the first major surprises of the new college football season.
The Minutemen fell behind early at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, before scoring 30 consecutive points and building a commanding 24-7 halftime advantage. Quarterback William “Pop” Watson III threw three touchdown passes in his UMass debut, while the defense forced four turnovers.
The UMass upset Rutgers result ended a 16-game losing streak that had been the longest active skid in the FBS. It also gave head coach Joe Harasymiak his first victory leading the Minutemen—and it came against the program where he worked as defensive coordinator from 2022 through 2024.
1. How UMass Upset Rutgers by Taking Control Early
Rutgers initially appeared ready to handle its heavily favored role.
The Scarlet Knights opened the game with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Dylan Lonergan completed a four-yard pass to KJ Duff, putting Rutgers ahead 7-0 with 8:20 remaining in the first quarter.
UMass responded immediately.
Watson directed a seven-play, 75-yard drive and connected with Elijah Faulkner for a 21-yard touchdown. Instead of allowing the home team to establish control, the Minutemen tied the game less than three minutes after Rutgers’ opening score.
That response changed the direction of the night.
UMass followed with a methodical 13-play drive that ended with Faulkner catching a two-yard touchdown pass. Romando Johnson then strip-sacked Lonergan and recovered the fumble, creating a short field for the Minutemen.
Two plays later, Watson found Joseph Griffin Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown. Derek Morris added a 30-yard field goal before halftime, sending UMass into the locker room with a 24-7 lead.
According to the official UMass game recap, the Minutemen scored 30 unanswered points after Rutgers’ opening touchdown. They did not punt until late in the third quarter.
This was not an upset created by one fortunate play. UMass controlled long stretches of the game on offense, defense and special teams.
2. Pop Watson III Delivered an Efficient UMass Debut
Watson’s performance provided exactly the stability UMass needed from its quarterback.
He completed 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns. That works out to an 86.4% completion rate, and he did not throw an interception.
Watson also contributed 40 rushing yards, repeatedly helping the Minutemen stay ahead of the chains. His mobility was especially valuable on the opening drive of the second half, when his 15-yard scramble helped UMass recover from an early penalty.
The quarterback distributed the ball to eight receivers. Faulkner caught two touchdown passes, while Griffin led UMass with 61 receiving yards on two catches. T.Y. Harding contributed five receptions for 55 yards.
Watson’s three touchdown passes established a new career high. UMass also noted that he became the first Minutemen quarterback in the program’s FBS era to combine three touchdown passes with a completion rate of at least 80%.
His efficiency prevented Rutgers from generating the short fields it desperately needed. UMass protected the football while the Scarlet Knights repeatedly gave it away.
3. Four Takeaways Created the Decisive Difference
The UMass defense produced the game’s most important statistical advantage.
Rutgers committed four turnovers: three interceptions and one lost fumble. UMass did not commit a turnover.
Johnson created the first takeaway with his second-quarter strip-sack of Lonergan. That turnover immediately became Griffin’s 31-yard touchdown reception and extended the lead to 21-7.
Isaiah Reed intercepted Lonergan at the UMass 15-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Jahmad Harmon then added two interceptions, including one that gave the Minutemen possession at the Rutgers 12.
Harmon’s second interception led to Curtis Kimmons IV’s 17-yard touchdown run, which made the score 37-14 with 4:27 remaining.
UMass also recorded five sacks and limited Rutgers to 30 net rushing yards. The Minutemen held the ball for 36 minutes and 21 seconds, compared with 23:39 for the Scarlet Knights.
The official game statistics show that UMass finished with a 397-349 advantage in total offense. The Minutemen gained exactly 200 yards on the ground, giving the offense balance and helping the defense stay rested.
Rutgers found success throwing to Duff, but most of its production came too late to reverse the outcome. Lonergan finished with 242 passing yards and two touchdowns but also threw three interceptions.
4. The Running Game and Derek Morris Completed the Win
Watson’s performance will attract attention, but UMass did not ask its quarterback to carry the entire offense.
Kimmons led the Minutemen with 78 yards on 11 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt. His fourth-quarter touchdown effectively ended Rutgers’ comeback hopes.
Faulkner added 62 yards on 19 carries while also catching the two early touchdown passes. His ability to contribute as a runner and receiver gave Rutgers another assignment to manage on nearly every snap.
The sustained rushing attack helped UMass control possession and avoid obvious passing situations. It also demonstrated that the Minutemen could protect a lead without becoming completely conservative.
Morris supplied another major advantage.
The kicker converted field goals from 30, 52 and 31 yards while making all four extra-point attempts. His 52-yarder opened the second-half scoring and extended the lead to 27-7.
Those kicks mattered because they allowed UMass to turn stalled drives and defensive takeaways into points. Morris finished with 13 points and never gave Rutgers the momentum-changing miss it needed.
5. Why the Way UMass Upset Rutgers Was Historic
The most straightforward historical description is that this was UMass’ first victory over a Power Four opponent since the program moved to the FBS level in 2012.
Some historical comparisons identify it as the program’s first win over a school from today’s power conferences since 1978. Conference membership has changed considerably since then, making the FBS-era milestone the clearest modern comparison.
The result also ended the longest active FBS losing streak at 16 games. UMass had not won any game since defeating Wagner on October 26, 2024, and its previous victory over an FBS opponent came against Army on October 28, 2023. The Associated Press game report confirmed that the victory ended the nation’s longest current FBS skid.
UMass had gone 0-12 during the 2025 season, making a road win over a Big Ten opponent an especially dramatic opening to 2026.
The 16-point margin was the Minutemen’s largest against an FBS opponent since their 55-20 victory over Georgia Southern in 2017. It was also their largest road margin against an FBS team since beating Kent State 40-17 in 2014.
UMass had not defeated Rutgers since October 6, 1973. Rather than merely ending that drought, the Minutemen earned a convincing victory in front of an announced crowd of 42,454.
What the Result Means for Joe Harasymiak
The opponent added a personal dimension to Harasymiak’s first win as UMass head coach.
Harasymiak served as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator from 2022 through 2024. His familiarity with the Scarlet Knights did not guarantee success, but the Minutemen appeared prepared for Rutgers’ offensive approach.
UMass pressured the quarterback, crowded the running lanes and took advantage of turnover opportunities. On offense, it combined Watson’s accurate passing with a 200-yard rushing performance.
The victory does not erase the program’s recent struggles, and one result cannot establish how the full season will unfold. It does, however, provide evidence that UMass can execute Harasymiak’s approach against an opponent that entered the night as roughly a four-touchdown favorite.
For a roster featuring dozens of new players, winning decisively on the road offers a meaningful foundation.
Rutgers Faces Immediate Questions After the Loss
Rutgers’ problems extended beyond the turnover margin.
The Scarlet Knights allowed UMass to possess the ball for nearly 13 minutes longer, surrendered 200 rushing yards and struggled to protect Lonergan. Their defense failed to force a takeaway and allowed the Minutemen to score on all four red-zone opportunities.
Duff was the clear offensive bright spot. The Rutgers official recap credited him with career highs of nine receptions, 196 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
His 78-yard fourth-quarter touchdown briefly reduced the deficit to 30-14. Backup quarterback AJ Surace later found him for a six-yard touchdown, but Rutgers’ final two scores arrived after UMass had established firm control.
Rutgers must now address its pass protection, rushing production and ball security before facing Boston College.
What Comes Next for UMass and Rutgers?
UMass will host Sacred Heart at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday, September 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, with coverage listed on ESPN+.
The next test is less about recreating the emotion of the Rutgers victory and more about maintaining the same habits. Ball security, balanced offense and disciplined defense will remain central to the Minutemen’s development.
Rutgers travels to Boston College on Friday, September 11, for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The Scarlet Knights will have eight days to respond to a season opener that exposed significant concerns.
The UMass upset Rutgers outcome creates optimism in Amherst, but the team’s progress will be measured by how consistently it carries this performance into the rest of the schedule.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the UMass-Rutgers Game
What was the final score between UMass and Rutgers?
UMass defeated Rutgers 37-21. The Minutemen led 24-7 at halftime after responding to Rutgers’ opening touchdown with 24 consecutive points.
When did UMass upset Rutgers?
UMass upset Rutgers on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Who was the UMass quarterback against Rutgers?
William “Pop” Watson III started for UMass. He completed 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns while adding 40 rushing yards.
How long was the UMass losing streak?
UMass entered the game with a 16-game losing streak, the longest active skid among FBS programs. Its previous overall win came against Wagner in October 2024.
Why was the UMass victory historically important?
It was UMass’ first win over a Power Four opponent since moving to the FBS level in 2012. It was also the program’s first victory over Rutgers since 1973.
Who led Rutgers against UMass?
Wide receiver KJ Duff led Rutgers with nine receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Scarlet Knights committed four turnovers and finished with only 30 net rushing yards.
Who does UMass play next?
UMass hosts Sacred Heart on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
Final Thoughts on UMass Upset Rutgers
UMass upset Rutgers through execution rather than one isolated break. The Minutemen produced 397 yards, rushed for 200, forced four turnovers, recorded five sacks and controlled possession for more than 36 minutes.
Watson supplied an efficient three-touchdown debut, Morris converted every kick, and the defense repeatedly turned Rutgers mistakes into scoring opportunities.
The victory ended a painful 16-game streak and gave UMass its biggest FBS-era breakthrough against a Power Four opponent. What matters next is whether the Minutemen can carry that discipline and balance through the rest of the 2026 season.