UMass Minutemen end 16-game skid with 37-21 victory over Rutgers

William Watson-led UMass defeated Rutgers 37-21 to end a 16-game losing streak in the season opener.

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William Watson-led UMass defeated Rutgers 37-21 on September 3, 2026, ending the Minutemen's 16-game losing streak in the season opener. ^[1] The UMass Minutemen defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with a final score of 37-21 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. ^[2] Running back Elijah Faulkner had two touchdown catches from Watson and scored on a 21-yard pass and a 2-yard pass. ^[3] Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff caught nine passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns, including a 78-yard pass from Dylan Lonergan. ^[4] William Watson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, completed 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and tossed three touchdown passes to help UMass win. ^[5] UMass entered the game as a 29.5-point underdog against Rutgers. ^[6] UMass had finished the 2025 season with a winless 0-12 record before this game. ^[7]

What this stands on

William Watson-led UMass defeated Rutgers 37-21 on September 3, 2026, ending the Minutemen's 16-game losing streak in the season opener. · Deadspin

The UMass Minutemen defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with a final score of 37-21 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. · Yahoo! Sports

Running back Elijah Faulkner had two touchdown catches from Watson and scored on a 21-yard pass and a 2-yard pass. · Deadspin

Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff caught nine passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns, including a 78-yard pass from Dylan Lonergan. · Deadspin

William Watson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, completed 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and tossed three touchdown passes to help UMass win. · Deadspin

UMass entered the game as a 29.5-point underdog against Rutgers. · Yahoo! Sports

UMass had finished the 2025 season with a winless 0-12 record before this game. · Yahoo! Sports

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