AMHERST — After sending shockwaves through the college football landscape with a stunning upset of Rutgers, the UMass football team directs its full attention to the home opener against FCS opponent Sacred Heart on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Some things have changed on campus with classes starting and thousands of students arriving on campus. The week of preparation may look a little differently for the Minutemen.
“Dealing with success is sometimes harder than dealing with adversity,” UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said. “We have a lot of things going on this week that we didn’t have.”
UMass had a festive pep rally following the first win over an FBS school since 2023. The event was well attended by the student body.
“It’s been fun,” Harasymiak said. “Told them last night, ‘we enjoyed it’, we are good, it’s game week. Let’s close it and move forward. They should be recognized for what they did. I appreciate everyone’s recognition. But it isn’t a one-game season. It’s a 12. Here we go.”
The Pioneers (0-1), first-time members of the Coastal Athletic Association, lost their season-opener to Monmouth in New Jersey on Sept. 5. Sacred Heart’s offense put up 408 yards of offense with 26 first downs in the loss. The victory over the Scarlet Knights was significant, but the Minutemen have the game squarely in the rear view mirror.
“We had a team meeting yesterday,” Harasymiak said. “The first thing we did was put our hand on our head and throw Rutgers in the garbage. It’s over and it’s done with and we have to move on. We have a great opponent coming in here.”
Mark Nofri enters his 15th season coaching the Pioneers.
“They’ve been there together for a long time,” Harasymiak said of the Sacred Heart coaching staff. “Especially his coordinators. They know their program. They know how to recruit and they play extremely hard. I am very impressed with what I saw on tape so far. I think offensively it starts with their quarterback. He’s dangerous.”
Sacred Heart quarterback Poochie Snyder is a danger in both the passing and running game. Snyder has big play ability as a scrambling quarterback. Running back Chuck Webb had 18 carries for 72 yards for the Pioneer’s last week. On the injury front, it doesn’t look like any player will miss the Sacred Heart game.
“We are full go,” Harasymiak said. “I think we are in really, really good shape.”
Haraysmiak emphasized the importance of not focusing on the caliber of opponent during the coming games. The following week, UMass hosts FCS opponent Stonehill at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
“We are not playing up or down,” Harasymiak said. “We are playing a game for 60 minutes…it’s our job to recreate and reestablish what the new standard is for UMass football.
William Watson III had an impressive debut with offensive coordinator Max Warner, going 19-for-22 for 197 yards and three touchdowns against Rutgers.
“His (Warner) relationship with the quarterback, I speak about that a lot,” Harasymiak said. “Has really grown us into the opportunity.”
Elijah Faulkner had a huge game against the Scarlet Knights with 62 yards rushing and two touchdown receptions. Faulkner returned from last year’s team.
“He’s one of ours, truly,” Harasymiak said. “We recruited him as a freshman out of high school. I am just glad he got his opportunity… his mentality has completely changed since being a freshman. This is everything to him.”
UMass swept the MAC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Watson, safety Jahmad Harmon and kicker Derek Morris received the recognition. Outside of Rutgers’ first drive and the play of wide receiver KJ Duff, the UMass defense had its way with Rutgers. Harmon had two interceptions, which were the first of his collegiate career.
“I had a lot of fun to be honest,” Harmon said. “It was just great going out there to beat an opponent. UMass, they haven’t won in a long time. It was just great going out there and winning.”
After the first win over a Power 4 since joining the FBS, the team expects a rowdy environment on Saturday at McGuirk.
“It’s going to be live, for sure,” Harmon said. “You see the video of the student section of the pep rally. The students want to come to the games now, because we are putting on a great performance. That’s what it’s all about. Showing out for the fans.”
Last season, UMass averaged 8,789 fans per game.
