University of Massachusets Athletics

Massachusetts Football Falls At Auburn
September 02, 2023 | Football
AUBURN, Ala. – University of Massachusetts football dropped a 59-14 decision in front of the largest crowd in Jordan-Hare Stadium history (88,043) on Saturday afternoon.
Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams paced the Minutemen with a career-high 101 yards on the ground, including a 28-yard run.
Redshirt junior quarterback Taisun Phommachanh was 8-for-16 through the air while also running for 34 yards and a touchdown. Anthony Simpson added a touchdown catch for the second consecutive game. Redshirt senior Carlos Davis came in the game in the second half, finishing six-for-eight for 106 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jalen Stewart had seven tackles (six solo), while Jordan Mahoney added six solo tackles. Tyler Rudolph had two pass breakups.
How It Happened
Trailing 7-0 after Auburn scored on the game's opening drive, the Minutemen drove 89-yards to tie it at 7-7 midway through the first quarter. Phommachanh capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown run and also had a 31-yard rush during the drive.
A Mahoney tackle for loss helped hold Auburn to a field goal on their next drive, making it a 10-7 game after the first quarter.
A 56-yard punt return set Auburn up with a first and 10 from the UMass 16 on the next Tiger drive. A 10-yard QB keeper gave Auburn the 17-7 lead in the second quarter. The Tigers added a pair of touchdowns for a 31-7 halftime lead.
After Auburn took a 52-7 lead, Davis completed 58-yard pass to Simpson for the touchdown in the fourth quarter, capped by the extra point from Cameron Carson. The Tigers answered with another touchdown a minute later to close the game at 59-14.
Notes
- Billy Wooden and Josh Atwood served as the Massachusetts captains.
- Phommachanh posted his second rushing TD of the season and the fifth of his career and recorded a career-high 31-yard run.
- Davis saw his first action for UMass and threw for one touchdown.
- Lynch-Adams rushed for a career-best 101 yards on 14 carries.
Next Up
The Minutemen return to McGuirk Alumni Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. contest against Miami (OH) on Saturday, September 9.
Team Stats

MAS 0, AUB 7
AUB - Alston,Damari 2 yd run (McPherson,Alex kick), 11 plays, 62 yards, TOP 03:26

MAS 7, AUB 7
MAS - Phommachanh,Taisun 1 yd run (Carson,Cameron kick), 8 plays, 89 yards, TOP 04:02

MAS 7, AUB 10
AUB - McPherson,Alex 37 yd field goal 13 plays, 51 yards, TOP 05:02

MAS 7, AUB 17
AUB - Ashford,Robby 10 yd run (McPherson,Alex kick), 2 plays, 16 yards, TOP 00:33

MAS 7, AUB 24
AUB - Ashford,Robby 1 yd run (McPherson,Alex kick), 9 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:00

MAS 7, AUB 31
AUB - Ashford,Robby 4 yd run (McPherson,Alex kick), 5 plays, 35 yards, TOP 02:32

MAS 7, AUB 38
AUB - Simpson,Jaylin 50 yd interception (McPherson,Alex kick)

MAS 7, AUB 45
AUB - Fair,Jay 29 yd pass from Thorne,Payton (McPherson,Alex kick) 1 plays, 29 yards, TOP 00:10

MAS 7, AUB 52
AUB - Cobb,Jeremiah 42 yd run (McPherson,Alex kick), 1 plays, 42 yards, TOP 00:11

MAS 14, AUB 52
MAS - Simpson,Anthony 58 yd pass from Davis,Carlos (Carson,Cameron kick) 1 plays, 58 yards, TOP 00:14

MAS 14, AUB 59
AUB - Jackson,Sean 45 yd run (McPherson,Alex kick), 3 plays, 78 yards, TOP 01:39