UMass football: Minutemen move to 2-0 with dominant victory over Sacred Heart

AMHERST — The momentum of the UMass football team continued with a commanding 37-10 win over FCS opponent Sacred Heart at a festive and crowded McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The crowd erupted when UMass started with a two-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The Minutemen scored in 40 seconds. UMass scored in all three phases of the game and only ran 40 offensive plays.

“Overall, we are 2-0 and we are going to celebrate the win,” UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said. “But I think the message this week and next week and every week is that we have to raise the standard of the program. How we play, no matter who the opponent is.”

It was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. It was also UMass’ first 2-0 start since 2011. The listed attendance for the game was 14,895 and the students were out in full force.

“We have to create a new standard for our program,” Harasymiak said. “I think our students, our fanbase… this is all of our opportunity to do that. We are all in this together. That’s the biggest thing… I hope they know that. Our job is to make them proud and keep filling the stands. Winning helps that. We have to win.”

William Watson III finished an efficient 9-for-10 for 152 yards and a touchdown. Watson added a rushing touchdown. Joe Griffin Jr. led the receivers with three catches for 59 yards. There was a contingent of Watson’s family and a lot of Springfield residents supporting the Springfield Central graduates.

“I couldn’t tell you a specific number,” Watson said. “You felt it in the atmosphere. You could tell it was Springfield outside. All the little kids on the sideline, asking for gloves… It was great to see and have everyone at the game.”

Elijah Faulkner had an effective game with 11 carries for 72 yards. Watson’s first pass was a picturesque deep ball to T.Y. Harding for a 49-yard touchdown. The Minutemen scored on the second play from scrimmage after a 26-yard rush by Faulkner.

“We knew that play was going to get called before the game,” Harding said. “Me and Pop (Watson) was talking about it. He was just saying, ‘run as fast as you can and I am going to throw it.’ I trust Pop.”

Harding scored another touchdown moments later, taking Sacred Heart’s first punt 82 yards for a touchdown. The Minutemen had a 14-0 lead with 11:44 left in the first quarter. Harding added a 59-yard punt return in the third quarter. Harding is in his fifth year with the Minutemen.

“The atmosphere being like this,” Harding said. “I’ve been here for five years, and I’ve never seen the atmosphere like this… Keep coming and keep supporting and we are going to feed off of that.”

Harding missed most of last season with a shoulder injury. The electricity from the fans flowed through Harding’s big plays.

“It felt amazing,” Harding said. “Being out there with my guys supporting me. It was hard last year, obviously. I had surgery on my shoulder and wasn’t even able to finish the season. Being able to come here with my guys and perform and win, that’s all that matters.”

UMass hosts FCS opponent Stonehill on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The offense under Watson has scored 74 points. Through two games last season, UMass had 36 points.

“Right now, we are focused with not getting complacent,” Watson said. “Like I said last week. Keep building off every win and keep getting better every day.”

UMass marched on a 15-play drive toward the end of the first quarter. The drive ended with a 33-yard field goal by Derek Morris. UMass had a 17-0 lead at the end of the first frame.

Watson connected with Griffin Jr. on a 39-yard gain to set up the next UMass touchdown. Watson finished this drive himself, juking a defender to find space and score on an 8-yard touchdown. UMass went into the intermission with a 23-0 lead.

Harding’s second big punt return set up UMass’ third quarter touchdown. Reece Adkins plunged into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown. Jahmad Harmon returned an interception 34 yards for another UMass touchdown with 10:23 left in the third quarter. The touchdown gave UMass a 37-0 lead.

A 35-yard field goal by Sacred Heart’s Ryan Bocklet got the Pioneers on the scoreboard with 5:29 left in the third quarter. UMass rolled out the backups on the ensuing drive. Sacred Heart turned to its second-string players for the entire fourth quarter. Cole Snider scored on a 1-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the Pioneers.

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