When the UMass football team travels to Rutgers for its season opener on Thursday, Sept. 3, coach Joe Harasymiak will have intimate knowledge of the opponent at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.
The gameplan should be simple for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers went 5-7 last season and 2-7 in the Big Ten. The team declined a bowl invitation.
“I could tell you from being there for three years I know how he works, I know how they work,” Harasymiak said. “I know how physical it’s going to be. It’s a Big Ten opponent…I know the mentality of what they are. They are going to try to run the ball down our face and make us quit.”
Last year’s winless campaign is a distant memory for the team, and the mentality is to win football games this season.
“We are in better position to go compete in this game, 100%” Harasymiak said. “I’ve made it very clear to the team we are going there to win. That’s why you play the game.”
Beyond Rutgers, there are goals for the season. UMass hasn’t won an FBS game since 2023. The Minutemen last won any football game in 2024.
“I’ll make no mistake about it,” Harasymiak said. “You mention wins and losses; we are here to win. We want to win MAC championships and go to great Bowl games. That’s what I believe Ryan (Bamford) and the chancellor (Javier Reyes) have hired me. To get this thing right. With everything they’ve given us now, being in year two I just feel more comfortable that our hands are on this more than year one.”
Harasymiak was the defensive coordinator for Rutgers from 2022-2024. Harasymiak worked with longtime Rutgers coach Greg Schiano.
“It’s certainly special for me,” Harasymiak said. “It was my first chance to coordinate in the Big Ten. Coach (Schiano) gave me that opportunity. I am really happy about a lot of the things we accomplished together.”
Quarterback William “Pop” Watson III will get his first start for the Minutemen. Contributions should come from the entire roster for UMass.
“We are going to play a lot of guys,” Harasymiak said.
Harasymiak identified running back Elijah Faulkner as a player who had an impressive summer. Faulkner enters his sophomore season with the Minutemen.
“I was always excited about him last year,” Harasymiak said. “I think he’s turned a corner from his maturity and just his overall attention to detail in the game. I am excited to watch him run the ball.”
A fully healthy T.Y. Harding is another player to watch at wide receiver for the Minutemen. Harding appeared in just one game in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury.
“I am just excited for the whole program,” Harasymiak said. “Taking this next step on a big stage.”
Boston College transfer quarterback Dylan Lonergan gets the start for the Scarlet Knights. Lonergan beat out redshirt sophomore AJ Surace. Lonergan began his career at Alabama toward the end of Nick Saban’s tenure.
Lonergan played 487 snaps across 10 appearances (nine starts) for the Eagles, throwing for 2,025 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions on 66.9% passing (190-of-284).
Running back Antwan Raymond rushed for 1,241 yards on 244 carries with 13 touchdowns last season. KJ Duff led the Scarlet Knights in receiveing with 60 catches and 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. Duff is six foot, six inches and 225 pounds.
“Hopefully this isn’t the last time I am in a very good mood,” Harasymiak said. “Super excited for us to get out there and play.”
According to FanDuel, the Scarlet Knights are a 29.5 point favorite. The game is on September 3 at 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
