University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Arkansas State
Massachusetts Football Downed By Arkansas State, 52-28
September 30, 2023 | Football
Phommachanh makes his return as quarterback, while Desrosiers Jr. notches two touchdowns
AMHERST, Mass.– The University of Massachusetts football dropped a 52-28 decision to Arkansas State on Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium (9,494).
The Red Wolves were able to get out to a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and Massachusetts was unable to narrow the gap despite scoring 28 points in the final three quarters.
Greg Desrosiers Jr. had a career day, posting a touchdown catch and touchdown. He had 244 all-purpose rounds, including 75 on the ground, 27 receiving and 142 on kickoffs.
Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh made his return to the pocket for the first time since the second game of the season and finished the day 29-of-38 for 269 yards and one touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Deshaun Jerkins had a team-high, nine tackles, five of which were solo tackles.
How It Happened
Arkansas State received the kickoff to start action at McGuirk Alumni Field, capitalizing on a Minutemen pass interference call. A seven play, 75-yard scoring drive ensued for Arkansas State to open the scoring.
After a second Red Wolves touchdown and first field goal conversion, Massachusetts received the ball at its own 24-yard line to close out the first quarter. Greg Desrosiers Jr. promptly put UMass on the board with a 60-yard dash to the endzone in the following opening minute of play in the second quarter.
The Red Wolves answered back with a pair of touchdowns, combining for 43 receiving yards.
Anthony Simpson then advanced into Red Wolves territory, adding a first down to catapult UMass towards field goal range. Kicker, Cameron Carson completed a 22-yard field goal, making it 31-10 with 2:48 remaining in the first half.
The second quarter ended with a failed Arkansas State 34-yard field goal attempt.
Desrosiers completed a 29-yard kickoff return to open the third quarter. The ensuing nine-play, three minute and 51 second drive completed with a 24-yard field goal from Carson for a 31-13 score.
Arkansas State quarterback, Jaylen Raynor then fired his fourth touchdown pass on the day with 9:55 in the third quarter.
Gino Campiotti had a 19-yard gain for a first down on the subsequent UMass scoring drive. Desrosiers Jr. notched his second touchdown of the game with a five-yard reception to make it 38-20 with 3:04 on the clock.
The Red Wolves extended a scoring drive of their own, ending in a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Foreman with 1:12 remaining in the third quarter.
A sixth touchdown was passed by Raynor opened up the fourth quarter in a one play, 55-yard drive to make it a 52-20 score.
UMass put together an eight-play scoring drive of their own, capped by a two-yard rushing touchdown from Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams with 10:52 on the clock. Then Phommachanh completed a pass to Anthony Simpson for a subsequent two-point conversion, making the final score 52-28.
Notes
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Billy Wooden and Josh Atwood served as the Massachusetts captains.
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Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh returned to the lineup to make his first start since game two at Auburn due to injury.
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Greg Desrosiers Jr.'s second quarter touchdown came on a career-long, 60-yard rush.
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It marked Desrosiers Jr.'s first rushing touchdown of the season and the third of his career.
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Desrosiers Jr. added a five-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter for his second receiving touchdown of the season and of his career.
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Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams punched in a two-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter for his team-leading fifth rushing TD of the season (ninth of his career).
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Dashaun Jerkins posted a season-high nine tackles.
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Cameron Carson went 2-for-2 on field goals.
Next Up
The Minutemen take on Toledo next Saturday, October 7, for a noon matchup at McGuirk Alumni Stadium (ESPNU).
