The Minutemen are set to open the 2026 season on September 3, traveling to SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, where they will meet the Scarlet Knights in a highly anticipated matchup. The game, scheduled for 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network, marks the first test for a UMass squad eager to rewrite its recent history of narrowly missed opportunities.
A Familiar Rivalry Rekindled
For UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak, the contest carries a personal resonance. Having served as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator from 2022 through 2024, he returns to a program he helped shape, bringing a winning mindset forged in the Big Ten. His experience as a former assistant under Greg Schiano adds a layer of familiarity that could influence game planning.
The Minutemen will rely on quarterback William Pop Watson III, who is slated to make his first start, and sophomore running back Elijah Faulkner, who looks to build on a promising second‑year campaign. Wide receiver T.Y. Harding, sidelined for much of the previous season by injury, is expected to be fully healthy and add a new dimension to the offense.
Rutgers, meanwhile, will field Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan, who arrives with a 66.9% completion rate and 12 touchdowns from his 2025 stint at Alabama. The Scarlet Knights enter as 29.5‑point favorites, according to FanDuel, and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network at 6 p.m.
Beyond the immediate contest, both programs share a vision of climbing the college football ladder. UMass hopes to translate a win into momentum for a MAC championship run and a bowl invitation, while Rutgers aims to rebound from a 5‑7 finish in the Big Ten and secure a postseason berth.