PISCATAWAY – The start of the 2026 season for Rutgers football could not have gone worse, as the Scarlet Knights suffered a disheartening 37-21 defeat to the University of Massachusetts (UMass). This loss is particularly troubling, given that UMass entered the game with a dismal record of 0-12 from the previous season and had only recently transitioned from the FCS level.
The defeat was made even more poignant by the fact that UMass is led by head coach Joe Harasymiak, a former defensive coordinator for Rutgers. His familiarity with the Scarlet Knights' strategies and personnel played a significant role in the outcome of the game.
From the outset, Rutgers struggled to establish any offensive rhythm. Despite having talented players such as wide receiver KJ Duff and running back Antwan Raymond, the team could not capitalize on their potential. While Duff managed to catch two touchdown passes from quarterback Dylan Lonergan, Raymond was largely ineffective, unable to find running lanes due to a struggling offensive line.
Lonergan, who had won the starting quarterback position in a competitive preseason battle against AJ Surace, completed 16 of 30 passes for 242 yards. However, his performance was marred by three interceptions and a lost fumble, leading to his replacement by Surace in the closing minutes of the game.
Defensively, Rutgers was equally disappointing. After a significant overhaul in the offseason, which included the hiring of defensive coordinator Travis Johansen and the addition of numerous transfer players, expectations were high for improvement. However, the defense appeared disorganized and slow, reminiscent of the struggles faced in the previous season. The Minutemen's quarterback, Pop Watson, a Virginia Tech transfer, took full advantage of Rutgers' defensive lapses, throwing for a touchdown and orchestrating a dominant performance.
The game began with a glimmer of hope for the Scarlet Knights as Lonergan connected with Duff for a four-yard touchdown on their opening drive. However, UMass quickly responded, with Watson finding Elijah Faulkner for a 21-yard touchdown pass, shifting the momentum in favor of the Minutemen.
As the game progressed, Rutgers' defense failed to make necessary adjustments, leading to a series of missed tackles and poor positioning. The performance was a stark reminder of the unit's past inadequacies, raising serious concerns about whether the changes made during the offseason would yield the desired results.
Looking ahead, Rutgers faces a daunting task to salvage their season, starting with their upcoming game against Boston College on September 11. This loss to UMass not only complicates their path to a bowl bid—where winning all three nonconference games was crucial—but it also casts a shadow over the team's morale and potential moving forward.
As the final whistle blew, the stands, which had already been sparsely populated, emptied out, reflecting the disappointment felt by fans. Instead of entering the season with optimism, the Scarlet Knights now find themselves grappling with uncertainty and a pressing need to regroup.
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