AMHERST — It’s becoming an unfortunately common theme across UMass athletics, but last Saturday was yet another example of a team laying an egg in front of a strong student turnout. The Minutemen football team received a 42-10 thumping from Temple in the season opener in a game in which students filed out of the McGuirk Alumni Stadium bleachers at halftime.
The Joe Harasymiak era is going to take some time, but in a college athletics universe where the transfer portal exists and teams can go from basement dweller to top of their conference in one season (the Indiana Hoosiers going from 3-9 in 2023 to 11-1 in 2024, for example), UMass fans don’t exactly have a lot of patience.
That — and the Week 1 drubbing — won’t slow Harasymiak down, he’s made that abundantly clear. He’s asking the students to continue to show up in bunches, just as they did last weekend.
I know we didn’t really give them a chance to hang around late in the game. I just want to thank them for their support. Be the light and keep coming back
Joe Harasymiak to Umass’ student section
“I want to thank the students,” Harasymiak said. “Their support, not only Friday night at the pep rally, but Saturday… I heard the tailgate was awesome. Their support was great all throughout the game and we need them. I know we didn’t really give them a chance to hang around late in the game, but we’ll correct that. I just want to thank them for their support. Same message: be the light. Be the light and keep coming back.”
Sure the score looked bad, but UMass had a handful of chances to make the contest look completely different. The Minutemen were ahead by three points early in the second quarter when quarterback Brandon Rose took off on a promising run that picked up enough yardage for a first down. But as he fell to the ground, the ball popped loose and Temple picked it up. The Owls scored 40 seconds later.
On the Minutemen’s ensuing possession, they drove down inside the 5-yard line and had a 1st-and-goal at the Temple 3. UMass came away with no points after a turnover on downs, but the Owls were pinned on their own 1-yard line. They still managed to march down the field in just over two minutes.
Two gut-wrenching momentum swings completely took the wind out of UMass’ sails. The rest was history.
“Speaking offensively after looking at the tape, it was really about the ball,” Harasymiak said. “Up 10-7, we’re going down, run the QB run, we puke that ball, which was kind of a crazy fumble. He needs to pin it better. That kind of switches to 14-10. Then we got 1st-and-goal at the 3, four plays to make it 17-14. I was going there the whole time. I told [offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian] on first down we’re going. I didn’t want to come away with three [points] there.”
So let’s do what Harasymiak is asking and turn the page. The Temple game has come and gone. It can’t be changed.
Up next is Bryant, a subpar FCS team that was picked second to last in the Coastal Athletic Association. The Bulldogs put up a fight on the road against FBS New Mexico State in Week 1, losing 19-3 in a game that was 9-3 entering the fourth quarter. One thing’s for sure, UMass won’t be overlooking Bryant whatsoever — especially since the Minutemen’s head coach spent eight years at an FCS program (Maine).
“I’ve been through their last game on all sides of the ball, and I am really impressed with how hard they play,” Harasymiak said. “Coach Merritt and I have met a bunch of times since I’ve been here, whether that’s at clinics or camps and stuff, and they take on the identity of their head coach… But I am really impressed. This isn’t going to be easy. I was a Division 3 player that coached in Division 1-AA at Maine in the same league that they’re in for eight years… I have been around it, and there is no way that we will have any mindset of this being any easy task. This is going to be a good game.”
Perhaps the one key for the Minutemen aside from cleaning up the turnovers is generating some pulse of a pass rush. They had zero quarterback hurries and one sack (although it wasn’t officially recorded as one because Temple QB Evan Simon was tackled at the line of scrimmage on a 3rd-and-9 by Shambre Jackson), which certainly isn’t going to cut it moving forward.
Edge rusher Joshua Nobles (Jackson State transfer) is out for the season after tearing his Achilles against Temple, so others need to step up. Harasymiak and defensive coordinator Jared Keyte will continue with their base defense of rushing four, but if they still can’t get to Bryant quarterback Brennan Myer, they’ll bring more if need be.
“If you have to switch it up and bring five, bring six, we have to look at that if that’s another issue moving forward in the beginning of this game,” Harasymiak said. “Certainly we’re going to have to find a way to pressure the quarterback, but I ultimately think that comes down to being better on first and second down.”
Elijah Elliot is Bryant’s lead running back while Aldrich Doe and Tristen Riley lead the wide receiving corps.
One important note: Harasymiak admitted that UMass got away from the run with Rocko Griffin (10 carries, 94 yards) against Temple, and said his opportunities dwindled as the Owls stretched the lead. Expect a heavy dose of Griffin on Saturday.
Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be available for stream on ESPN-plus.
UMass to honor HOF Class of 2025
Prior to the Minutemen’s game with the Bulldogs, UMass Athletics will be honoring four former legends in their respective sports. Chaz Williams (men’s basketball, ’14), Michaela Butler-Pimentel (women’s diving, ’14), Deanna Groark-Sheldon (rowing, ’97) and Victor Cruz (football, ’10) are this year’s inductees and at 11 a.m., a ceremony will be held on campus.
Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford and Chancellor Javier Reyes are to make remarks followed by a video honoring the recipients. Following brunch, the official presentation of each inductee will take place.
The Hall of Fame members are also going to be recognized during the football game, which is something Harasymiak is excited about. He had a funny story about former UMass football player Victor Cruz, and is looking forward to connecting with him once again.
“Hall of Fame game this weekend,” Harasymiak said. “Victor Cruz being inducted, funny story he ‘Mossed’ me in high school… I actually got a chance to meet him back when Liam [Coen] was our OC at Maine. He came by and saw us when we played UMass at Fenway. So hopefully either he remembers me from the ‘Mossing’ or from that. It’s good to see him back. And congratulations to Chaz in men’s basketball, Michaela in women’s diving and Deanna for rowing. It’s great. We’ll celebrate them and their accomplishments here.”