by Kevin McCaskill Jr.
9/25/23 * 12:30 PM
(AMHERST, MA) - The Minutemen hosted New Mexico on a cloudy Saturday afternoon in Amherst. Saturday’s game was the first matchup between the two schools. Also, this contest was the furthest east New Mexico has played a football game in their school’s history.
The Minutemen had lost three consecutive games and their starting QB Taisun Phommachanh was still sidelined with a leg injury. Carlos Davis got his 3rd start of the season.
UMass struggled on both sides of the ball in the first half. The offense finally started clicking in the 2nd quarter, however the defense had trouble with the New Mexico offense for both quarters. New Mexico WRs were running past UMass DBs. New Mexico RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt got loose multiple times for good yardage.
UMass was down at halftime 28-14.
In the second half, the UMass defense and offense were both in-sync. The defense didn’t allow any points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. The defensive line finally put pressure on New Mexico QB Dylan Hopkins. The offense got multiple opportunities to get back in the game.
Carlos Davis was injured in the 4th quarter. Freshman QB Ahmad Haston entered the game, instead of Brady Olson. Davis returned but was forced out again with what loos like an injury to his ribs. Haston remained the QB. UMass was down 28-20.
On Haston’s second drive, he made one of the best plays of the season for the Minutemen. He got the snap in the shotgun and scanned the field. He threw a pass over the middle of the field that hung in the air for longer than usual. Two New Mexico DBs were in the area but WR Anthony Simpson was also there and snatched the ball out of the air. Simpson took the ball and ran to endzone for a 65 yard TD. Haston connected with Gino Campiotti for the two-point conversion. The game was tied @ 28 and headed to OT.
UMass got the ball first in OT. Haston ran the ball on three plays and couldn’t pick up the first down. K Cameron Carson made a FG to give UMass their first lead 31-28.
On New Mexico’s possession, UMass received three penalties including one on HC Don Brown. After the penalties, the ball was at the UMass 2-yard line. Croskey-Merritt was denied on his 1st try but was successful on the second try. The play was reviewed to make sure he got in and the call was confirmed.
UMass lost in OT 34-31.
After the game, HC Brown said he didn’t know what Davis’ injury was.
UMass hosts Arkansas St. next Saturday @ 3:30 PM, on ESPN+. The Minutemen are currently favored by 1 pt (MASS -1.0).
Stats
UMASS:
Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams - 26 car, 97 yards, 1 TD; 1 rec, 7 yards
Carlos Davis - 11/20 196 yards, 1 TD, 64.4 QBR; 6 car, 42 yards
Anthony Simpson - 5 rec, 104 yards, 1 TD
New Mexico:
Dylan Hopkins - 9/17 192 yards, 1 TD, 82.6 QBR
Sherod White - 14 car, 69 yards, 1 TD
Caleb Medford - 3 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD