By the Numbers: UMass completes unthinkable 37-21 upset at Rutgers

UMass truly did the unthinkable.

In 2025, the Minutemen were the 19th FBS team in history to produce a record of 0-12 or worse, and they hardly threatened a win in the disastrous campaign. They lost their 12 games by an aggregate score of 463-133. Ten defeats were by 18 points or greater, and they finished the season ranked dead-last in a slew of statistical categories including scoring offense, scoring defense, total offense, and fourth down conversion rate.

But 2026 provided a clean slate, and they made the most of it. Led by second-year head coach Joe Harasymiak — who served as Rutgers' defensive coordinator from 2022-24 — the Minutemen stormed into Piscataway on Thursday as more than four-touchdown underdogs and shocked the world.

UMass comfortably handled Rutgers, 37-21, to kick off its 2026 season with a triumphant 1-0 record.

Here are stats contextualizing the magnitude and unexpectedness of UMass' signature upset in Big Ten Country:

• UMass snapped an FBS-high 16-game losing streak in the win over Rutgers. The Minutemen's last victory was Oct. 26, 2024 over FCS opponent Wagner.
• UMass snapped a 23-game losing streak against FBS opponents. The Minutemen's last victory over FBS competition was Oct. 28, 2023 at Army.
• UMass recorded its first-ever Big Ten victory. The Minutemen were previously 0-8 against the Big Ten since joining the FBS. They lost those eight games by an aggregate score of 404-60, or an average score of approximately 51-8.
• UMass defeated Rutgers by 16 points. It was the program's largest margin of victory over FBS competition since defeating Charlotte by 18 in 2018. It was the program's largest margin of victory over FBS competition on the road since defeating Kent State by 23 in 2014.
• UMass' win over Rutgers was its 19th win over an FBS program since joining the FBS in 2012. The 16-point margin of victory was the Minutemen's fifth-largest over an FBS opponent.
• UMass snapped the MAC's 30-game losing streak against Big Ten opponents. Prior to Thursday night, the MAC's last victory over Big Ten competition was Sept. 24, 2022, when Miami (OH) defeated Northwestern on the road.
• UMass scored 37 points in the victory. It was the program's highest scoring output since the 2024 finale, when it posted 42 in a loss to UConn.
• UMass scored an FBS-low 133 points last year. With 37 points against Rutgers, the Minutemen accounted for 27.8 percent of their entire 2025 scoring output in the 2026 opener.
• UMass never scored more than 21 points against FBS competition last year. The Minutemen had 21 points by the 9:43 mark of the second quarter. UMass never scored more than 26 points against any opponent last year. The Minutemen had 27 points by the 8:22 mark of the third quarter.
• UMass scored 30 unanswered points on Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights notched their first touchdown at the 8:20 mark of the first quarter. Their next scoring play transpired with 7:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. Thus, UMass shut out Rutgers for over 46 minutes of gametime. And Rutgers never possessed the ball once while leading.
• UMass is 1-0 for the first time since 2023. Thursday night marked the program's first season opener victory since upending New Mexico State on the road three years ago.

Here are other key stats from the first major upset of the 2026 season:

• UMass new starting quarterback William "Pop" Watson III finished 19-of-22 with 197 passing yards and 40 rushing yards. He threw as many touchdown passes (3) as interceptions (3).
• UMass dominated Rutgers in the run game. The Minutemen accumulated 200 rushing yards on 41 attempts. Conversely, the Scarlet Knights managed just 30 rushing yards on 25 attempts, calculating to 1.2 per carry. UMass' swarming defense forced five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and six pass breakups in Piscataway. Seven different Minutemen defenders earned a share of a sack.
• UMass won the turnover battle 4-0 and intercepted Rutgers three times in the fourth quarter alone. UCF transfer cornerback Isaiah Reed logged the first interception of the ensuing barrage on the opening play of the fourth quarter. Ball State transfer free safety Jahmad Harmon picked off two passes later in the period, including the game-sealing takeaway with 4:35 remaining.
• UMass' special teams made several key plays in the win. Kicker Derek Morris drained three field goals, hitting from 52, 31, and 30 yards. Punter Edwards Phillipson had three punts and averaged 57.3 per attempt. He booted a 67-yarder and also a 59-yarder which was downed at the 1-yard line.

UMass carries its 1-0 record back to Amherst, where it will host FCS opponents in consecutive weeks. Sacred Heart visits Sept. 12, while Stonehill rolls into town Sept. 19. The Minutemen seek their first 2-0 start since joining the FBS and consecutive wins for the first time since 2023. If they defeat both FCS teams, they will have three victories by the third week of September. Since joining the FBS in 2012, UMass has never won more than four games in a season.