Springfield’s William “Pop” Watson III totaled three touchdowns in the UMass football team’s 35-6 win against Sacramento State on Saturday as the Minutemen extended their season-opening winning streak to four.

Watson III ran in two scores and added another through the air as UMass’ spark plug toward its first 4-0 start to the season since 2007.

Timmy Hinspeter snagged a crucial 49-yard interception touchdown for the Minutemen in the third quarter.

Kezion Dion-Johnson picked up his first career touchdown too, punching in a three-yard score following Hinspeter’s pick six to seal the victory.

UMass (4-0) returns to McGuirk Alumni Stadium for its Mid-American Conference (MAC) opener against Eastern Michigan next Saturday, Oct. 3.

Ryan Ames is a sports reporter at the Gazette. A UMass Amherst graduate, he covers high school and college sports and is on the UMass hockey beat. Reach him at rames@gazettenet.com and follow him on Twitter/X...