UMass Minutemen ended a 16-game losing streak with a 37-21 victory over Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the season opener for both teams Thursday night in Piscataway, N. J. Pop Watson III passed for 197 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Elijah Faulkner and Joseph Griffin Jr. for scores, while Curtis Kimmons IV added a 17-yard TD run.

The win marked UMass' first halftime lead against a power conference school since 2017 and the largest win by a 29+ point underdog since Texas State defeated Houston in 2012. Rutgers' KJ Duff caught three TD passes, but quarterback Dylan Lonergan threw four interceptions and lost a fumble before being lifted for AJ Surace. UMass coach Joe Harasymiak, formerly Rutgers' defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024, called the win special with family present in Piscataway, noting his roots in Waldwick, New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to the report.