AMHERST — Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between UMass and New Mexico, as the Minutemen approach the midway point of the season in terms of games played.

The matchup against the Lobos is already UMass’ fifth game, and its sixth will come before the calendar even flips to October. Despite the front-loaded schedule, the Minutemen have had plenty in the gas tank – playing competitive in all but one of their games (at Auburn on Sept. 2).

UMass (1-3) is excited to play at McGuirk Alumni Stadium for just the second time this year, though this time the team is hoping for a better turnout.

“It’s great to be home; I mean obviously I feel like the players got robbed on the first one, there was nobody there,” UMass head coach Don Brown said, referring to the weather delays in the home opener against Miami (Ohio). “We’ve got New Mexico coming in this weekend, and they’re playing better football.”

The Minutemen’s biggest issue of late has been taking care of the football. After coughing it up zero times in its first game against New Mexico State, UMass has turned the ball over eight times in its last three games – including four last week at Eastern Michigan (a 19-17 loss).

Staring in the face of a much-needed three-game home stand, the Minutemen really only have one concern — don’t give their opposition any extra possessions.

“On offense, it’s real simple,” Brown said. “That’s all we’ve talked about: take care of the ball. You take care of the ball, good things are gonna happen to our offense and to this football team.”

Part of the problem has been not having starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh in the lineup since the third quarter of the Auburn game. UMass looked its best when Phommachanh was in control of the offense.

“The disappointing thing for us was when we lost our quarterback in Week 1,” Brown said. “That’s a tough one, but we’ve been able to go to the second guy and he’s done a nice job. Health is a beautiful thing. It’d be nice if you can play both guys and everybody’s healthy, but usually that’s not how it goes in this game. Somebody is going in because somebody is hurt.”

No matter who plays quarterback, however, there shouldn’t be an issue moving the ball considering the talent and depth of the play makers the Minutemen offense possesses. Brown thinks his offense matches up well with anyone, their next target – the Lobos – included.

“I feel pretty good. I feel good about our matchups,” Brown said. “I’ve felt good about our matchups on a week-to-week basis. (Shawn) Harris, (Anthony) Simpson, George (Johnson III), Christian Wells, Kay’Ron (Lynch) Adams, Gino Campiotti, (Greg) Desrosiers III, I mean we’ve got a bunch of guys that are working, that are developing. They’re getting better. We’re only a few weeks in, so, a lot of football left to be played. That’s for sure.”

New Mexico (1-2) fell to New Mexico State last weekend, and UMass beat the Aggies in Week 0. According to the transitive property, the Minutemen should then beat the Lobos. But Brown isn’t ready to buy into that nonsense. It’s a new week, and a football game has to be played regardless.

“Every week is a new week, every week is a scenario of taking the challenge and going out and competing,” Brown said. “Otherwise we wouldn’t play the games, we’d just say, ‘Oh, they’re picked to win, or we’re picked to win, and let’s call it a day.’ You gotta go out and win the game. You gotta force your hand and go out and win the game.”

Perhaps the Lobos’ best player is their running back, Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The senior has rushed for 295 yards and five touchdowns in three games, including a 162-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tennessee Tech. Alongside him is quarterback Dylan Hopkins, who’s thrown for over 245 yards in each of his last two games and combined for five touchdowns. Those two should provide a threat to the Minutemen defense.

“They’ve got a nice running back who can make you miss and can run you over at the same time,” Brown said. “The quarterback seems to have a good understanding of what he’s trying to do, so it’s a challenge for us for sure. But we’re excited about that challenge.”

UMass returns from Ypsilanti – its third long road trip so far this season – relatively healthy on both sides of the ball. This bodes well for the Minutemen on Saturday, as they have been banged up over the past several weeks.

“I think we’re in pretty good shape coming out of the weekend,” Brown said.

Now a quarter of the way through the season in games played, and the fifth game set to be played Saturday, Brown still sees his team in the midst of the maturation process as a cohesive group. UMass has looked very good at different points throughout the early going, but the premier version of the Minutemen yet to be seen – and it’s on the horizon according to Brown.

“I still think we’re in the developmental phase,” Brown said. “We’re still working, we’re still working hard in the meeting room, we’re still working hard connecting with one another. But yeah, there’s a lot of football left to be played. And, obviously, you haven’t seen our best yet. It’s coming, though, it’s coming and it’s close.”

Perhaps he’s hinting at a return of Phommachanh, the golden ticket to the UMass offense. He has only been healthy for one full game, and it was the best game the Minutemen have played as a team to date.

If and when Phommachanh returns, playing two quarterbacks isn’t out the window for Brown and the coaching staff. Carlos Davis has proven to have a very strong arm, and Phommachanh has shown tremendous poise as a decision maker. Both players provide different skill sets that could throw teams off at certain points.

“That’s an interesting thought right there,” Brown said. “I think both guys have specific strengths, so you never know. You could definitely do that. Great point.”

Kickoff against New Mexico is set for 3:30 p.m., with coverage streaming on ESPN-Plus.