The 2026 UMass Minutemen football team represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They play their home games at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Hadley, Massachusetts, and compete as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They are led by second-year head coach Joe Harasymiak.
In the previous season, UMass went 0–12 and entered the 2026 season on a 16-game losing streak dating back to the 2024 season. In the season opener against Rutgers, the Minutemen upset the Scarlet Knights 37–21, ending their losing streak and earning their first win against an FBS opponent since 2023, and the first time they beat a power conference team since 1978.
Preseason MAC prediction poll The MAC released its preseason coaches poll on July 22, 2026. The Minutemen were predicted to finish 13th (last) in the conference.
Schedule
Game summaries at Rutgers
Statistics MASS RUTG First downs 21 18 Plays–yards 63–397 63–349 Rushes–yards 41–200 25–30 Passing yards 197 319 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–22–0 22–38–3 Turnovers 0 4 Time of possession 36:21 23:39 Team Category Player StatisticsUMass Passing Pop Watson 19/22, 197 yards, 3 TD Rushing Curtis Kimmons IV 11 carries, 78 yards, TD Receiving Joseph Griffin Jr. 2 receptions, 61 yards, TDRutgers Passing Dylan Lonergan 16/29, 242 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT Rushing Antwan Raymond 14 carries, 42 yards Receiving KJ Duff 9 receptions, 196 yards, 3 TD
Sacred Heart (FCS)
Statistics SHUMASS First downs 16 11 Plays–yards 67–303 40–315 Rushes–yards 42–143 26–152 Passing yards 160 163 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 17–25–1 11–14–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 35:01 24:59 Team Category Player StatisticsSacred Heart Passing Poochie Snyder 11/16, 77 yards, INT Rushing Nicholas Yanchuk 6 carries, 28 yards Receiving Jason Palmieri 5 receptions, 46 yardsUMass Passing Pop Watson 9/10, 152 yards, TD Rushing Elijah Faulkner 11 carries, 72 yards Receiving Joseph Griffin Jr. 3 receptions, 59 yards
Stonehill (FCS)
Statistics STOMASS First downs 10 15 Plays–yards 59–161 60–355 Rushes–yards 28–27 35–195 Passing yards 134 160 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–31–1 15–25–1 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 29:52 30:08 Team Category Player StatisticsStonehill Passing Jack O'Connell 10/21, 69 yards, TD, INT Rushing Shane Eason 9 carries, 20 yards Receiving Shawn Corchado 3 receptions, 41 yardsUMass Passing Pop Watson 15/25, 160 yards, TD, INT Rushing Elijah Faulkner 11 carries, 69 yards Receiving T. Y. Harding 4 receptions, 73 yards, TD
at Sacramento State
Statistics MASS SAC First downs 16 23 Plays–yards 53–333 77–323 Rushes–yards 37–232 34–102 Passing yards 101 221 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–16–0 24–43–1 Turnovers 0 3 Time of possession 28:08 31:52 Team Category Player StatisticsUMass Passing Pop Watson 11/16, 101 yards, TD Rushing Pop Watson 7 carries, 72 yards, 2 TD Receiving T. Y. Harding 3 receptions, 44 yardsSacramento State Passing Jackson Sharman 24/43, 221 yards, INT Rushing Daniel Swinney 9 carries, 35 yards Receiving Raiden Brown 6 receptions, 61 yards
Eastern Michigan
Statistics EMUMASS First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsEastern Michigan Passing Rushing Receiving UMass Passing Rushing Receiving
Miami (OH)
Statistics M-OHMASS First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsMiami (OH) Passing Rushing Receiving UMass Passing Rushing Receiving
at Buffalo
Statistics MASS BUFF First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsUMass Passing Rushing Receiving Buffalo Passing Rushing Receiving
at UConn
Statistics MASS CONN First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsUMass Passing Rushing Receiving UConn Passing Rushing Receiving
Ball State
Statistics BALLMASS First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsBall State Passing Rushing Receiving UMass Passing Rushing Receiving
at Toledo
Statistics MASS TOL First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsUMass Passing Rushing Receiving Toledo Passing Rushing Receiving
Akron
Statistics AKRMASS First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsAkron Passing Rushing Receiving UMass Passing Rushing Receiving
at Bowling Green
Statistics MASS BGSU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsUMass Passing Rushing Receiving Bowling Green Passing Rushing Receiving
Personnel Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at UMass Alma materJoe HarasymiakHead Coach2Springfield College (2007)Max WarnerOffensive coordinator/Quarterbacks1Millikin UniversityJared KeyteDefensive coordinator2Utica University (2012)Brian WhiteOffensive line2Jeremy LarkinRunning backs2Northwestern (2018)Jordan HoganWide receivers2SUNY BrockportMatt LaymanTight Ends8Mars Hill UniversityNyeem Wartman-WhiteDefensive line 2Penn State (2016)Garrett GillickLinebackers2UMaine (2000)Donald CeliscarDefensive backs2WMU (2015)Joe CastellittoSpecial teams coordinator2Utica University (2017)Kevin CoyleSenior Defensive Assistant Coach1Kayon Whitaker Assistant Defensive Ends Coach2UMaine (2019)Jake FireAssistant Nickels Coach 2URI (2022)
Roster
Depth chart (Source - Ourlads)
Awards and honors MAC honors Weekly MAC honors Offensive Player of the Week Pop Watson QB September 7, 2026 (W1) Defensive Player of the Week Jahmad Harmon S Special Teams Player of the Week Derek Morris K Special Teams Player of the Week T.Y. Harding KR/PR September 14, 2026 (W2) Coordinator of the Week Jared Keyte Def. Cord. Defensive Player of the Week William Depaepe DL September 21, 2026 (W3) Special Teams Player of the Week Derek Morris (2) K
National honors Weekly national honors Davey O'Brien Award - Great 8 Pop Watson QB September 8, 2026 Pop-Tarts Bowl - Crazy Good Team Of The Week Team September 8, 2026 Dodd Trophy - Coach of the Week Joe Harsymiak HC September 9, 2026 Lou Groza Award - Star of the Week Derek Morris K September 9, 2026 Ray Guy Award - Ray's 8Edward Phillipson PSeptember 21, 2026
References