UMass football defeats Rutgers 37-21 in season opener

In sports news now, UMass football had a huge upset win last night. 22 News reporter Nick Antonakis has a full breakdown. The UMass Minutemen started their football season with a bang, snapping a 16-game losing streak against Rutgers after entering their season opener as 29-and-a-half-point underdogs. UMass pulled off a stunning upset in New Jersey, beating the Scarlet Knights 37-21. The Minutemen were led by quarterback and Springfield native Pop Watson, who threw for 197 yards and three touchdowns. We knew we had to respond to adversity, and that's what we did, so I couldn't be more proud in this whole line. The wide receivers making plays, running backs getting them dirty yards, and that defense, man. We had four turnovers. Four. Four turnovers. You can't lose a game with four turnovers. Another Springfield native, receiver Joseph Griffin Jr., also made his mark, finishing with 61 yards on two catches, including a touchdown. This has been a long time coming for UMass. The win marks their first victory over an FBS opponent since the Minutemen beat Army on October 28th of 2023. While this change in tides for UMass is certainly something to celebrate, what are they going to do to keep this momentum rolling? Let's change this place. Like we've been here before, and that's the goal. We came in here and we talked last night. We're going to win the game. That was the team meeting was last night. We're coming here to win the game, and it's not a seven-game series. It's not a five-game series. It's 60 minutes for one night, and tonight we win by 10. UMass now returns home to Amherst, where the Minutemen will host Sacred Heart on Saturday, September 12th. Working for you, Nick Antonakis, 22 News.