UMASS FOOTBALL = UNDEFEATED
by Kevin McCaskill Jr.
9/23/26 * 5:30 PM
(AMHERST, MA) - The Minutemen have started the season better than most anticipated.
They were roughly 30-point underdogs on the road at Rutgers. ➡️ W.
They took care of the two FCS schools. Sacred Heart never seriously threatened UMass. The Minutemen had to overcome some adversity to get the victory over Stonehill.
After three games, there is still a 0 in the loss column.
I see several reasons why the Minutemen are having more success this season.
The institutional support has finally started to materialize. Athletic Director Ryan Bamford hired Thor Bjorn as Senior Deputy AD. His main job is to oversee the football program. UMass is spending more in NIL/revenue sharing. There was speculation that the roster last season was ~$1.5 million. While UMass administrators wouldn’t state a number, they claim to have spent more on the roster for this season. Also, the school has committed to renovating McGuirk Alumni Stadium. There are new LED video boards, new handrails and there will be more ADA-compliant seating.
There was a legitimate concern that UMass was not spending the money necessary to be competitive. It seems those issues have been remedied.
Very good college football players decided to stay in Amherst, namely TY Harding, Tyler Martin and Timmy Hinspeter. All three of those young men could have gone to other schools and been successful. Their decisions to remain in Amherst show their belief in the institution and in HC Joe Harasymiak. All three have been integral to the Minutemen’s three victories so far this season. Returners TJ Magee and Dallas Elliot have also been important for the Minutemen this season.
The seamless infusion of new talent has put this team on a new trajectory. Will “Pop” Watson III is who we know him to be - arguably one of the greatest football players from Massachusetts. His accuracy and dynamic play-making ability have energized the team, the campus and the region.
Joe Griffin Jr. is who we know him to be - arguably one of the best WRs from Massachusetts. His ability to make tough catches and get open is making a difference for the offense as a whole.
William and Andrew DePaepe are solidifying the defensive line with their play. The two brothers transferred to UMass from Indiana. Since Spring Practice, they have been making plays.
Credit is due to the UMass coaching staff for identifying these players and executing the deals that got the talent here. In today’s landscape of college football, getting players for the right price is paramount.
The Special Teams have finally coalesced as a robust unit that can help win games for the Minutemen. Kicker Derek Morris is quietly becoming one of the best kickers in the country. Punter Edward Phillipson is this week’s MAC Special Teams Player of the Week. The aforementioned TY Harding returned a punt for a TD. The overall coverage on punts and kickoffs has improved drastically. ST Coach Castellitto has done a very good job this season.
Five months ago, I reported that it seems the
Minutemen have a new formula. Now, the Minutemen are 3-0 for the first time in the FBS era and they are gaining the attention of the college football world.
On to Sacramento 🚩
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