Massachusetts Football Drops Season-Opener At Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The University of Massachusetts football program opened its 2019 season and the Walt Bell Era with a trio of first quarter touchdowns and led by as many a two scores early, but Rutgers rallied for a 48-21 win at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Friday.

Randall West made his first collegiate start at quarterback and finished the day 20-of-31 for 106 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss. Senior cornerback Isaiah Rodgers led the defense with two interceptions, a pass breakup and three tackles.

The Minutemen averaged 5.6 yards rushing on the game, led by Bilal Ally's 66 yards on 10 carries (6.6 ypr) while Cam Roberson added 62 yards on nine carries (6.2). Ally and Roberson each scored once on the ground. Massachusetts spread its pass offense across nine receivers, led by 37 yards from Kyle Horn, which included a 20-yard touchdown catch.

Cole McCubrey's 10 tackles led all UMass defensive players while Martin Mangram and Charly Timite totaled six apiece. Timite also had a four-yard sack, his first collegiate sack. Joseph Norwood also posted his first collegiate interception, which gave UMass three takeaways on the night.

Massachusetts opened the game with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, which culminated in West connecting with Horn from 20 yards away for the first collegiate touchdown pass and touchdown reception for each player.

The Maroon and White needed only two plays for its next scoring series as Roberson took a handoff on 2nd-and-five and scampered 39 yards through the middle of the Rutgers defense for a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game.

After the Scarlet Knights found the endzone on a Isaih Pacheco two-yard run, Massachusetts tacked on its third touchdown of the day with two seconds to go in the opening frame. Ally closed out a 13-play, 75-yard series in style with a 33-yard burst down the middle of the field for his first touchdown of the year.

Rutgers settled in during the second quarter and took the lead from the Minutemen with consecutive scores by Bo Melton and Pacheco before a Justin Davidovicz field put the Scarlet Knights in front, 24-21. It jump-started the Rutgers' offense to 41 consecutive points en route to the 48-21 victory.

Scarlet Knights starting quarterback McLane Carter went 21-of-31 for 340 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Pacheco posted 156 yards rushing over 20 carries. Raheem Blackshear caught nine passes for 126 yards and one score while Melton totaled six receptions covering 127 yards and a score. Tyshon Fogg led the Scarlet Knights' defense with 11 tackles.

Massachusetts plays its first home game of the season at McGuirk Alumni Stadium next with a Sat., Sept. 7 tilt with Southern Illinois. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast by FloSports and will be available in New England via NESNplus.

Follow University of Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).

Scoreboard

Next Event

Team Stats

Randall West

Andrew Brito

Players Mentioned

Bilal Ally

Kyle Horn

Martin Mangram

Cole McCubrey

Cam Roberson

Isaiah Rodgers

Randall West

Players Mentioned

Bilal Ally

Kyle Horn

Martin Mangram

Cole McCubrey

Cam Roberson

Isaiah Rodgers

Randall West

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics