On September 12 at 3:30 p.m., the University of Massachusetts Minutemen will kick off their football season at home, hosting Sacred Heart at McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, marking the first meeting between the two programs.
Honoring a Pioneer
The occasion also commemorates Matthew W. Bullock, the first African American head coach at a predominantly white institution, who led UMass from 1904 to 1908. The university has designated the day as Matthew Bullock Day to honor his pioneering legacy.
UMass snapped a 16-game losing streak with a 37‑21 victory over Rutgers on September 3, securing its first FBS win and its first road victory since 2023. The Minutemen’s offensive surge was led by quarterback William ‘Pop’ Watson III, who threw a career‑high three touchdown passes, the first UMass quarterback to reach that mark since 2008.
Kicker Derek Morris added three field goals, including a 52‑yard attempt, the first such feat for the team since 2024, while the defense forced five turnovers, the most against a power‑conference opponent in program history since 2022.
The Minutemen scored in every quarter for the first time since August 2023 against New Mexico State, and they limited Rutgers to just 27 rushing yards, the fewest allowed to a power‑conference team since 2011. Record‑breaking turnover numbers and a surge in rushing yards underscored a dominant performance that sets an optimistic tone for the season.
Looking ahead, the schedule promises fresh challenges, including a 2026 showdown with Sacramento State, and consecutive home games against Eastern Michigan and Miami (OH) in October, as the Minutemen aim to build momentum against new rivals.