The University of Massachusetts football team stunned Rutgers 37-21 Thursday night at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, handing the Big Ten program a shocking season-opening loss.

UMass entered the game coming off a winless 2025 season and riding a 16-game losing streak, the longest active losing streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Minutemen were also 29.5-point underdogs entering the matchup.

Rutgers opened the game with a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead, but UMass quickly responded and then scored 30 consecutive points. The Minutemen took a 24-7 advantage into halftime and extended their lead to 30-7 in the second half before Rutgers mounted a late comeback attempt.

UMass quarterback William “Pop” Watson III delivered an impressive debut, completing 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. The Minutemen also forced four Rutgers turnovers, including three interceptions, while recording five sacks.

Wide receiver K.J. Duff was the bright spot for Rutgers, catching nine passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns, including a 78-yard score in the fourth quarter. Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan, however, threw three interceptions as the Scarlet Knights struggled to overcome UMass’ defensive pressure.

The victory marked UMass’ first win over a Power Conference opponent since moving to the FBS level and its first FBS victory since defeating Army in 2023. The Minutemen finished the night with 397 total yards and controlled possession for more than 36 minutes.

For Rutgers, the loss represents a particularly disappointing start to the 2026 season. The Scarlet Knights were heavily favored at home and had been expected to open the year with a victory over a UMass team that went 0-12 last season.

The result also provides an early reminder that preseason expectations can quickly disappear once the games begin. UMass will now attempt to build on its stunning victory, while Rutgers faces pressure to rebound as its Big Ten schedule becomes significantly more difficult.

The upset also raises questions about the depth of the Big Ten as the conference continues competing with the SEC for dominance in college football.