2026 MAC Football Week 3 Game Preview: UMass Minutemen vs. Stonehill Skyhawks

UMass (2-0) looks to keep the good times rolling and start 3-0 for the first time since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2012. An in-state FCS foe awaits the Minutemen when the Stonehill Skyhawks (1-2, 1-0 NEC) come to town.

The Skyhawks bring a tough pass defense and high-flying air attack to town, and project to be a tougher challenge than Sacred Heart, UMass' FCS opponent from last week. Stonehill should provide a solid tune-up before the Minutemen begin MAC play next week against Sacramento State.

Game notes

• Time and date: Saturday, September 19th, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
• Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, Massachusetts
• TV network: The game will air exclusively on ESPN+. A valid subscription is required for viewing.
• Gambling Considerations: UMass is a 34.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 49.5-50.0 by book, per Covers.
• All-time series: First-ever meeting

Stonehill Outlook

Although they did not allow any large gains, UMass' opponent last week, Sacred Heart, consistently stayed on schedule with their quarterback run game, rushing for 12 carries and 55 yards.

That creates a potential opening early on for Stonehill, as quarterback Jack O'Connell showed he is an early Walter Payton Award (FCS Heisman) candidate against New Hampshire. O'Connell threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 88 non-sack rushing yards.

Along with O'Connell, Stonehill has two feature backs who share the load. Shane Eason has 156 yards on the year, while Aidan Garrett has 135. Both are smaller backs, but Eason is the more explosive of the two, averaging five yards per carry to Garrett's 3.5 YPC.

The Skyhawks' greatest threat in the passing game is their tight end, Cole Clarke. Clarke leads Stonehill in receiving with 11 receptions for 169 yards. Clarke was an unmistakable deep threat against New Hampshire, hauling in four passes for 88 yards. The Skyhawks also have two other receivers with over 100 receiving yards, Torrance Washington Jr. and Alijah Turner.

Caden Henritzy and Adjatay Abegesah lead the Stonehill defense from the linebacker position. Henritzy leads the team in tackles with 21, while Abegesah has three tackles for a loss in three games to lead the team. Additionally, hybrid linebacker/safety Tyler Bannon has two pass breakups.

Safety Jordan Irvine anchors the secondary. Irvine is second on the team in tackles with 19 and is one of three Skyhawks with an interception. Deandre Gooson and Mo Seide also have interceptions, while Mohamed Toure also has two pass breakups this year.

Alijah Turner handles punt and kick returns for Stonehill. Turner is averaging eight yards on nine punt returns and 21 yards on nine kick returns. Punter Logan Chenette is averaging 39 yards per punt and has the unenviable task of kicking to TY Harding. The Skyhawks have struggled with field goals so far, missing one from under 30 yards and another within 40.

UMass Outlook

Pop Watson III, the King of Amherst, once again dazzled in abbreviated action during the Minutemen's 37-10 win over Sacred Heart. Watson completed nine of his 10 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown, adding 40 rushing yards on just four carries.

Surprisingly, Watson may face his toughest challenge yet. Stonehill boasts a stingy pass defense that is allowing just 155 yards per game. The Skyhawks have almost as many interceptions (3) as Pop Watson has incompletions this year (4).

The receiving duo of T.Y. Harding and Joe Griffin look to continue their stellar start to the season against this quality Stonehill secondary. The pair is averaging over 20 yards per reception on 11 catches in two games.

The Minutemen will likely once again depend on their powerful run game. UMass enters the game averaging 176 yards per game rushing and only 18 pass attempts per game. After Curtis Kimmons IV starred against Rutgers with 78 yards, his running mate Elijah Faulkner took the spotlight against Sacred Heart. Faulkner ran for 72 yards in the Minutemen's 37-10 win.

The pair has combined for 223 yards in two games this season. They should continue to thrive against a Stonehill run defense allowing nearly six yards per non-sack carry.

On defense, the pass rush will make an impact against a struggling Stonehill offensive line. Seven Minutemen defenders have at least a half-sack, with the team totaling five in two games. The Skyhawks have struggled in pass protection, allowing nine sacks in three games.

Minuteman corner Jahmad Harmon is an early Jim Thorpe Award candidate with three interceptions. He will need to be disruptive once again against a Stonehill passing game that had 380 yards last week.

UMass has the edge on special teams. T.Y. Harding earned MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown and gaining 59 yards on his other return. Punter Edward Phillipson has a 51.2-yard average on six punts so far.

Prediction

UMass may struggle with Stonehill's passing game early, but their run game will be too much for the Skyhawks to handle. Stonehill should keep up early, but the Minutemen should adjust and shorten the game on the ground.

UMass 42, Stonehill 14