DALLAS (FWAA) – The Massachusetts Minutemen scored 30 consecutive points and forced four turnovers in a commanding 37-21 victory at Rutgers, earning the season’s first Pop-Tarts Bowl Crazy Good Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Sept. 5, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.
The Minutemen (1-0) trailed 7-0 before taking control in front of 42,454 at SHI Stadium. Massachusetts scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions, built a 24-7 halftime advantage and extended its lead to 30-7 in the fourth quarter.
The victory was Massachusetts’ first over an FBS opponent since a 21-14 win at Army West Point on Oct. 28, 2023, and its first win over Rutgers since 1973. The 16-point margin was the Minutemen’s largest in an FBS road victory since a 40-17 win at Kent State in 2014.
Quarterback William “Pop” Watson III was nearly flawless in his Massachusetts debut, completing 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and a career-high three touchdowns without an interception. Watson connected with Elijah Faulkner for two scores and found Joseph Griffin Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown that gave the Minutemen a 21-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
Massachusetts complemented Watson’s efficient performance with 200 rushing yards. Curtis Kimmons IV led the Minutemen with 78 yards on 11 carries, including a 17-yard touchdown that restored a 23-point lead with 4:27 remaining.
The Massachusetts defense limited Rutgers to 27 rushing yards and produced four takeaways. Jahmad Harmon intercepted two passes, Isaiah Reed added another interception and Romando Johnson recorded a strip-sack and recovered the fumble. Timmy Hinspeter led the defense with nine tackles.
Kicker Derek Morris contributed three field goals as Massachusetts scored on seven of its first eight possessions and held the ball for more than 36 minutes.
The victory was the first at Massachusetts for head coach Joe Harasymiak, who served as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator from 2022-24.
“Everything we’ve talked about, everything we’ve worked for came to fruition tonight,” Harasymiak said following the victory. “It’s going to change around here.”
Massachusetts, now the 108th different program to earn this honor from the FWAA, returns home to face Sacred Heart on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on ESPN+.
The FWAA has recognized a National Team of the Week since the 2002 season. Weekly candidates are evaluated by the FWAA All-America Committee with supporting data analysis from the Iron Football app.
Each honored team will receive a delivery of assorted Pop-Tarts and a custom-crafted game ball from Big Game USA, the Dallas-based manufacturer of handcrafted American-made footballs.
Florida Citrus Sports is a not-for-profit event-management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events. Its annual events include the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic, the Camping World Kickoff and the FC Series. For more information, visit FloridaCitrusSports.com.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of approximately 1,100 men and women who cover college football. Its membership includes journalists, broadcasters, publicists and key executives involved in the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.