UMass defeats Rutgers 37-21 on September 3 as 29.5-point underdog, snaps 16-game FBS losing streak

UMass ended a 16-game FBS losing streak by defeating Rutgers 37-21 on Thursday night, September 3, in New Jersey, despite entering the game as a 29.5-point underdog according to DraftKings. The victory marks the largest point-spread upset in major college football since Kansas defeated Texas by 31 points in 2021.

The Minutemen had not won a game since October 26, 2024, when they defeated New Mexico State. They went 0-12 last season and arrived at Rutgers as the longest active losing streak in the FBS. The win is UMass' first victory over a Power Four opponent in program history.

Quarterback Pop Watson III, a transfer from Virginia Tech, completed 18 of 21 pass attempts for 189 yards and three touchdowns, adding 40 yards on the ground. He is the first UMass quarterback with three passing touchdowns on an 80% completion rate since Liam Coen, now the Jacksonville Jaguars coach, achieved the feat in 2008, per ESPN's reporting. Curtis Kimmons IV rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown. UMass gained 200 rushing yards against the Big Ten opponent.

The offense's dominance was fueled by defensive chaos. UMass forced five turnovers, including three interceptions by Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan, converting those miscues into 17 points. The defense recorded seven tackles for loss and five sacks. The last time UMass forced five turnovers in a game was a victory over Akron on November 10, 2022, per ESPN's reporting. UMass scored on each of its first four drives and did not punt until there were 100 seconds remaining in the third quarter, according to CBS reporting.

UMass fell behind 7-0 early before scoring 30 unanswered points. Rutgers trailed 24-7 at halftime. Rutgers did not score its second touchdown until 7 minutes and 9 seconds remained in the fourth quarter. With 4 minutes left in the third quarter, Rutgers went for it on fourth-and-1 from the UMass 11-yard line and was forced to turn it over on downs, per CBS.

UMass Coach Joe Harasymiak won his first game as the Minutemen's head coach against his former team. He served as Rutgers' defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024. Rutgers allowed 1.2 yards per rushing attempt in the defeat. For context, UMass allowed 38.6 points per game last season, ranking 136th among 136 FBS teams, and allowed 433.8 total yards, ranking 129th nationally, according to CBS reporting.

Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano has 99 wins at the program and achieved consecutive bowl records, his first under Big Ten membership. Rutgers ranked last in the Big Ten defensively in 2025 and faced a $78 million financial deficit last season, sitting more than $500 million in the red since joining the Big Ten. The athletic department ranks lowest in Power Four donor contributions and generated only $2.7 million in sponsorships and licensing in 2025, per CBS reporting. The loss is Rutgers' largest upset loss since the FBS-FCS split in 1978.