Team Effort Nets Minutemen 21-13 Victory Over FIU

GAME INFORMATION
Massachusetts 21, FIU 13
Records: Massachusetts (1-2) • FIU (0-3)
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.
Attendance: 12,202
Time of Game: 3:17
Weather: 75 degrees at kickoff, winds 14 MPH S, sunny skies

MASSACHUSETTS HIGHLIGHTS

Linebacker Da'Sean Downey ended FIU's opening drive with an 11-yard sack and forced fumble on Golden Panthers quarterback Alex McGough during a third-and-three play at the FIU 44 yard line.

Quarterback Andrew Ford connected with wide receiver Jalen Williams on a second quarter touchdown pass. It was Ford's first career throw and Williams' first touchdown reception of the season. The play went 26 yards into the North endzone.

Ford also found Andy Isabella open in the left corner of the endzone for a 31-yard touchdown reception during the second quarter. It was Isabella's first TD grab as a Minuteman and put UMass ahead, 14-3.

Defensive lineman Sha-Ki Holines forced a second quarter fumble on FIU running back Alex Gardner, which linebacker Steve Casali swooped in and recovered. It was the first fumble recovery for the Minutemen on the year.

Andrew Ford gave the Minutemen breathing room at the end of the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown toss to Adam Breneman. It was Breneman's second consecutive game with a touchdown catch.

Ali Ali-Musa and Joe Previte sealed the victory when the defensive line duo combined for a forced fumble and recovery on FIU's final drive. Ali-Musa stripped Alex McGough of the ball, which Previte fell onto with 56 seconds left to play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Austin Taylor capped FIU's first scoring drive with a 47-yard field goal that made it 3-0 Golden Panthers with 6:32 left in the first quarter. The drive was aided by a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Ali Ali-Musa that moved the ball from the FIU 48 yard line to the UMass 37.

UMass answered with a five-play, 48-yard scoring drive capped by Williams' 26-yard touchdown reception. It gave the Minutemen a 7-3 advantage with 9:51 to go in the opening half.

Ford followed with a 31-yard touchdown toss to Isabella in the final minute of the second quarter, which gave the Minutemen a 14-3 lead at the break. It capped a seven play, 87 yard drive the spanned only 96 seconds.

FIU cut the UMass advantage to 14-10 with a 16 play drive covering 75 yards and 5:43 of game clock. Alex Gardner ended the series with a two-yard touchdown rush around the left side of his offensive line.

The Golden Panthers defense stood up UMass running back Marquis Young on fourth-and-one at the UMass 44, which gave FIU the ball back in Maroon and White territory. The ensuing drive resulted in a 35-yard field goal conversion by Taylor with 4:48 left in the third quarter.

Massachusetts responded with Breneman's one-yard touchdown reception at the 1:28 mark of the third quarter. It gave the Minutemen a 21-13 advantage heading to the final frame.

UP NEXT
The Maroon and White head across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to Gillette Stadium for a Sat., Sept. 24 tilt with Mississippi State. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. on NESNplus and ESPN3.

Fans are encouraged to contact the UMass Athletics Ticket Office at 1-866-UMASS-TIX or visit the Mullins Center Ticket Office (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for all ticket purchasing needs. Questions can be directed to Doug Bean via email (dbean@umass.edu).

For continued coverage of UMass football, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Ali Ali-Musa

Adam Breneman

Steve Casali

Da'Sean Downey

Andrew Ford

Sha-Ki Holines

Andy Isabella

Joe Previte

Jalen Williams

Marquis Young