UMass Minutemen to Face Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Season Opener

The UMass Minutemen are set to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Last season, Rutgers excelled in special teams, leading the FBS with four touchdowns, while UMass struggled, finishing with the second fewest total touchdowns in the league. DraftKings has established Rutgers as 29.5-point favorites, with a total points line of 51.5.

UMass, which did not win any games last year, is looking to improve under new quarterback Watson, who previously played at Virginia Tech. Rutgers also faces uncertainty with its quarterback situation but boasts strong offensive players like Duff and Raymond, who had impressive seasons last year. This matchup will provide insights into both teams' progress as they begin the new season.