University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, October 17
Statesboro, Ga.
4 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
0-1
0
at
41
Georgia Southern
3-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Massachusetts
0
0
0
0
0
Georgia Southern
14
14
10
3
41
Massachusetts Falls To Georgia Southern On The Road
October 17, 2020 | Football
Twenty-four make first appearances as Minutemen in 2020 opener
STATESBORO, Ga. – University of Massachusetts began its 2020 season with a 41-0 loss at Georgia Southern's Allen E. Paulson Stadium on Sat., Oct. 17. The Minutemen fell to 0-1 with the loss while the Eagles improved to 3-1.
Redshirt senior quarterback Mike Fallon made his first collegiate start and appeared in his second game as a Minuteman. He finished 7-of-12 for 41 yards passing and one interception, and also ran the ball four times for 31 yards. Redshirt sophomore Josiah Johnson stepped in at quarterback and finished 6-of-9 with 39 yards and an interception. Freshman play-caller Will Koch also saw his first action, did not attempt a pass and rushed four times for 41 yards.
Junior Samuel Emilus led all UMass receivers with three catches covering 24 yards. Freshman wide receiver Zamar Wise added two catches for 16 yards while redshirt senior Taylor Edwards and sophomore wide receiver Jermaine "OC" Johnson, Jr., hauled in two passes each.
Senior linebacker Cole McCubrey led the defense with nine tackles while position-mate Mike Ruane followed with eight. Sophomore cornerback Josh Wallace had both of the team's pass breakups and three tackles from his spot in the secondary. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Da'Shon Ross forced a fumble and that rookie linebacker Gerrell Johnson recovered.
Redshirt senior Shai Wertz started at quarterback for Georgia Southern and finished 11-of-16 for 128 yards and three passing touchdowns. Wertz also posted 76 rushing yards on 13 carries, with one touchdown. Wesley Kennedy III led the Eagles' ground game with six rushing attempts totaling 106 yards and a touchdown.
Georgia Southern scored on four of its opening five drives of the game for a 28-0 lead at the half. It included three passing touchdowns by Wertz, as well as one rushing score from the two-time All-Sun Belt QB.
Additional UMass football opponents, game dates and sites for the 2020 season will be announced as they are confirmed and will be scheduled based on the ability to meet campus and state regulations.
Follow Massachusetts Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassAthletics).
Redshirt senior quarterback Mike Fallon made his first collegiate start and appeared in his second game as a Minuteman. He finished 7-of-12 for 41 yards passing and one interception, and also ran the ball four times for 31 yards. Redshirt sophomore Josiah Johnson stepped in at quarterback and finished 6-of-9 with 39 yards and an interception. Freshman play-caller Will Koch also saw his first action, did not attempt a pass and rushed four times for 41 yards.
Junior Samuel Emilus led all UMass receivers with three catches covering 24 yards. Freshman wide receiver Zamar Wise added two catches for 16 yards while redshirt senior Taylor Edwards and sophomore wide receiver Jermaine "OC" Johnson, Jr., hauled in two passes each.
Senior linebacker Cole McCubrey led the defense with nine tackles while position-mate Mike Ruane followed with eight. Sophomore cornerback Josh Wallace had both of the team's pass breakups and three tackles from his spot in the secondary. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Da'Shon Ross forced a fumble and that rookie linebacker Gerrell Johnson recovered.
Redshirt senior Shai Wertz started at quarterback for Georgia Southern and finished 11-of-16 for 128 yards and three passing touchdowns. Wertz also posted 76 rushing yards on 13 carries, with one touchdown. Wesley Kennedy III led the Eagles' ground game with six rushing attempts totaling 106 yards and a touchdown.
Georgia Southern scored on four of its opening five drives of the game for a 28-0 lead at the half. It included three passing touchdowns by Wertz, as well as one rushing score from the two-time All-Sun Belt QB.
Additional UMass football opponents, game dates and sites for the 2020 season will be announced as they are confirmed and will be scheduled based on the ability to meet campus and state regulations.
Follow Massachusetts Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassAthletics).
Team Stats
UMASS
GS
Total Yards
191
436
Pass Yards
80
128
Rushing Yards
111
308
Penalty Yards
29
40
1st Downs
10
20
3rd Downs
2
5
4th Downs
3
0
TOP
29:09
30:51
1st Quarter
UMASS 0, GS 7
GS - M. Murray 47 yd pass from S. Werts (A. Raynor kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:42
UMASS 0, GS 14
GS - B. Johnson 8 yd pass from S. Werts (A. Raynor kick) 7 plays, 39 yards, TOP 1:57
2nd Quarter
UMASS 0, GS 21
GS - B. Johnson 10 yd pass from S. Werts (A. Raynor kick) 7 plays, 50 yards, TOP 4:13
UMASS 0, GS 28
GS - S. Werts 4 yd run (A. Raynor kick), 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 5:01
3rd Quarter
UMASS 0, GS 31
GS - A. Raynor 27 yd field goal 5 plays, 10 yards, TOP 1:25
UMASS 0, GS 38
GS - W. Kennedy 56 yd run (A. Raynor kick), 2 plays, 60 yards, TOP 0:55
4th Quarter
UMASS 0, GS 41
GS - A. Raynor 31 yd field goal 4 plays, 8 yards, TOP 2:18
Game Leaders
CMP
7
TD
0
YDS
41
INT
1
CMP
6
TD
0
YDS
39
INT
1
Players Mentioned
TE
/ FootballWR
/ FootballQB
/ FootballLB
/ FootballTE/QB
/ FootballLB
/ FootballLB
/ FootballLB
/ FootballCB
/ FootballATH
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