UMass football falls to Western Michigan in MAC opener (photos)

AMHERST – A good-sized homecoming crowd on a beautiful day, but still a disappointing result for the UMass football team on Saturday. The Minutemen (0-5, 0-1 MAC) fell to Western Michigan, 21-3, in their Mid-American Conference opener at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.

“Ultimately for us, we didn’t make enough plays,” UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said. “Penalties were absolutely backbreaking.”

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UMass had a touchdown nullified by penalty. Another pushed the Minutemen out of the red zone. Even with the first half miscues UMass only trailed 7-3 at halftime, but the Broncos eventually pulled away. Western Michigan (3-3, 2-0 MAC) relied on its running game with great success, accumulating 217 yards rushing. Former UMass coach Walt Bell calls plays for the Western Michigan offense.

“We couldn’t do anything offensively,” Harasymiak said. “We kind of faded away there on defense. We are committed to winning. We are just not consistent enough to win right now.”

The Minutemen had five drives that penetrated the Western Michigan 30-yard line during the game. UMass travels to Kent State next Saturday. The listed attendance for the Homecoming match-up was 10,014.

“It came down to an accumulation of everything,” Harasymiak said. “Penalties, execution putting us back.”

UMass did not announce a starting quarterback prior to Saturday but elected to start Brandon Rose. AJ Hairston eventually entered the game in the third quarter. Rose went 9-for-17 for 72 yards while Hairston finished 11-for-18 for 131 yards with an interception. Grant Jordan has seen time as well this season for UMass.

“We’re just not playing well enough,” Harasymiak said. “No matter who it is. Regardless, we have a quarterback issue right now. We gotta figure it out. At some point, someone has to take it and go. That’s what I am looking for.”

With Rocko Griffin and T.Y. Harding already missing from the offense, leading receiver Jacquon Gibson left the game in the second quarter with an injury. Gibson had six catches for 70 yards before leaving the game.

“He’s up, he’s walking,” Harasymiak said of Gibson. “But doesn’t look like he’s walking too good.”

Derek Morris’ 36-yard field goal gave UMass a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. The drive went 11-plays and 57-yards for the Minutemen. Juwaun Price had a 17-yard rushing touchdown nullified on the drive.

Timmy Hinspeter forced a fumble for UMass on the Broncos’ first drive, but UMass could not capitalize. Price led the Minutemen with 54 yards on six carries. Hinspeter had another monster game for the Minutemen, finishing with 14 tackles.

Morris missed a 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter. After the missed field goal, the Broncos drove for their first score of the game. Western Michigan drove 72-yards on five-plays to take the lead.

Broc Lowry found Michael Brescia for an eight-yard touchdown to give the Broncos a 7-3 lead with 9 minutes, 23 seconds left in the second quarter.

Hunter Smith missed a 48-yard field goal attempt late in the second quarter for Western Michigan. Lowry scored on a four-yard touchdown with 1:26 left in the third quarter. The Broncos drove 50 yards on 10 plays to take a 14-3 lead.

Josh Franklin muffed a punt late in the third quarter, giving UMass possession at the Western Michigan 18-yard line. Hairston was promptly sacked, losing 10 yards on first down. The Minutemen eventually turned it over on downs.

Western Michigan put the game away with an 11-play, 87-yard drive. Devin Miles scored on a 25-yard rush for the Broncos to make the score 21-3 with 8:04 left in the game. Lowry finished the game with 92 yards on 15 carries. Jalen Buckley had 12 carries for 60 yards.

Domanick Moon had an interception in the fourth quarter for the Broncos. Leeds native and Williston graduate Dallas Elliott had a 14-yard reception for the Minutemen in the fourth quarter.