What a start to the college football season.
For those who didn’t feel like giving the big UMass-Rutgers game Thursday night your time and effort, the Minutemen stunned Greg Schiano’s group, 37-21, snapping a 16-game losing streak to FBS teams.
That’s right. Sixteen games. 16!
Jahmad Harmon #22 of the UMass Minutemen celebrates his interception against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J., on Sept. 3, 2026. (Getty Images)
WEEK ONE UPSET SPECIAL: THESE THREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS SHOULD BE ON UPSET ALERT THIS WEEKEND
Umass entered the night at nearly 30-point underdogs for its first defeat of an FBS program since beating Army in 2023, and it was never particularly close.
That was probably the most stunning part. The pure domination from the Minutemen from start to finish in this one was a sight to behold. UMass went into the locker room up 24-7 at the half after a 17-point second quarter, and never looked back.
As my old high school football coach used to say, it was a “good, old fashioned, country a–kicking.”
And that includes on … and OFF … the field:
Rutgers never stood a chance
Incredible. What a scene.
That young lad would gave the old lady the unfortunate hit stick would be UMass stud safety Jahmad Harmon, for those who aren’t up to date on all things Minutemen football.
HERE’S WHY, EVEN WITH ALL ITS PROBLEMS, COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS STILL BETTER THAN THE NFL
Quarterback William Watson III No. 5 of the Massachusetts Minutemen celebrates at SHI Stadium on Sept. 3, 2026, in Piscataway, N.J. (ISI Photos via Getty Images)
And that’s all of you.
He picked off Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan on the second drive of the fourth quarter, and then pulled down a second interception two drives later. The Minutemen picked off Lonergan three times Thursday night.
And before you all get nasty at me for making fun of a woman getting trucked on the sidelines … you get what you pay for in those spots. Sorry.
Everyone knows the risks of being field-level for a football game. It’s the Wild Wild West. If you’re gonna stand that close to a field with 22 maniacs running around, you have to know this could always be a possibility.
This is fair game!
Anyway, UMass’s stunning win was the biggest outright upset in five years (+2400), and was the program’s first win versus a current power conference opponent since November 1978.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
Goodness, it’s good to have college football back.
