Rutgers Football will kick off the 2026 season on Thursday night with a non-conference matchup against UMass.
The Scarlet Knights will begin another season in a familiar position — against an inferior opponent as a big favorite at SHI Stadium.
The expectation is for Rutgers to begin the season 1-0 once again after what will be the sixth matchup between these two teams.
There is a connection between these two teams. UMass hired former Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak to be its new head coach
ahead of the 2025 season. It was not a successful first season as the Minutemen finished with a record of 0-12, leaving Harasymiak in search of his first victory entering year two.
Rutgers Football History vs. UMass
These two teams have met five times in their history. Rutgers has a slight advantage, 3-2. There has been one matchup in nearly five decades and the first meeting took place in 1967.
- Nov. 11, 1967: UMass 30, Rutgers 7
- Oct. 6, 1973: UMass 25, Rutgers 22
- Oct. 30, 1976: Rutgers 24, UMass 7
- Nov. 4, 1978: Rutgers 21, UMass 11
- Aug. 30, 2019: Rutgers 48, UMass 21
The first four meetings between these two teams took place almost 50 years ago or more. Of course, the most recent meeting came in 2019 and it is one that we all likely remember.
Rutgers was punched in the mouth early as UMass took a surprising 21-7 lead in the first quarter. The tide quickly turned in the second as Rutgers, outscoring UMass 31-0 to take control on the way to a 48-21 victory.
Once the offense got going, Rutgers put up big numbers. McLane Carter three for 340 yards and two touchdowns but did have three interceptions. It was the Isiah Pacheco as he rushed for 156 yards (7.8ypc) and four touchdowns. Bo Melton caught six passes for 127 yards and a score and Raheem Blackshear caught a team-high nine balls for 126 yards and a touchdown.
How To Watch, Stream & Listen
UMass at Rutgers
Where: SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ
Kick-off: Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 PM ET
Weather: 70 degrees, partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of rain, 5 mph winds
TV: Big Ten Network with Jason Horowitz (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (color), and Dannie Rogers (sideline)
Stream: Fox Sports
Radio: Radio: RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network (WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM, Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM/1450 AM) with Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Eric LeGrand and Mike Teel (analyst), and Anthony Fucilli (sideline); WRSU 88.7 FM – Will Carmenaty, Mo Golubtchik & Sean Newcomb; Audacy app, SiriusXM 257, Scarlet Knights app
Returning Statistical Leaders
Rutgers
Passing: Dylan Lonergan – 190-for-284, 66.9%, 2,205 yards, 12 touchdowns, 5 interceptions (at Boston College)
Rushing: Antwan Raymond – 1,241 yards on 244 carries, 5.1 ypc, 13 touchdowns
Receiving: K.J. Duff – 60 catches for 1,084 yards, 18.1 ypc, 7 touchdowns
Defense: Kaj Sanders – 64 tackles, J’Dan Burnett – 6.5 sacks (at Tulsa), Sean Allison (at Drake) & Mikey Munn (at South Dakota State – 3 interceptions
UMass
Passing: William Watson III – 2-for-4, 50%, 77 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions (at Virginia Tech)
Rushing: Jordan Washington – 340 yards on 86 carries, 4.0 ypc, 3 touchdowns (at Murray State)
Receiving: Devin Matthews – 36 catches for 649 yards, 18.0 ypc, 7 touchdowns (at East Texas A&M)
Defense: Tyler Martin – 104 tackles, Timmy Hinspeter – 2 sacks, Martin & Hinspeter – 1 interception
What To Expect This Time Around?
It’s that time of year again. Football season is officially here and it is time to get excited about this version of the Scarlet Knights. What to expect this year is what we have seen in year’s past — and that is a victory where the starters can get some rest in the fourth quarter. Greg Schiano will look to get some new faces into the game to showcase the depth on the roster. Rutgers enters the contest as a big favorite and needs to set the tone early on. Football is back in Piscataway!
