University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
2-6 , 0-0
Wagner
4-5 , 2-1
Harding, Minutemen Race Past Wagner 35-7
October 26, 2024 | Football
T.Y. Harding recorded a career-long 58-yard punt return touchdown.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football took down Wagner, 35-7, on Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium (14,374) to cap a festive Family Weekend.
T.Y. Harding led the way for the Minutemen, notching 49 yards receiving on three catches and he added a touchdown. Harding also posted a career-long 58-yard punt return touchdown, marking the first UMass punt return touchdown since Isaiah Rodgers at Charlotte on September 14, 2019.
Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh had a career-high two rushing touchdowns and passed for a third touchdown as he finished the day 10-for-18 on passing for 129 yards, while carrying the ball seven times, with a 17-yard-long run.
Jakobie Keeney-James had three receptions for 24 yards and Dominick Mazotti tallied 47 yards on two receptions.
Brandon Campbell rushed for 63 yards with one touchdown on eight attempts, followed by Jalen John with 52 yards on two carries, including a career-long 42-yard run. CJ Hester also had nine carries for 46 yards.
On defense, Myles Turner and Jalen Stewart led with eight tackles apiece. Louce Julien recorded a career-best three tackles for loss for 10 yards, with Kofi Asare registering a career-high 2.5 tackles for a loss of nine yards. Julien had a sack for a seven-yard loss, while Asare posted a five-yard sack. Te'Rai Powell came away with his first career interception, returning the ball 17 yards.
How It Happened
The Minutemen took a 7-0 lead on a 36-yard T.Y. Harding touchdown grab at 10:27 of the first quarter, which was also Taisun Phommachanh's eighth passing touchdown of the season.
Te'Rai Powell grabbed his first career interception at 1:27 of the first quarter and returned it 17 yards to the Wagner 44-yard line. Dominick Mazotti then had a 26-yard catch down the seam to set up a first and goal situation, resulting in a three-yard touchdown run by Phommachanh and a 14-0 lead at 12:54 of the second quarter.
Louce Julien had a sack and then a fourth-down tackle to get the ball back for the Minutemen at 4:01 of the second quarter. Phommachanh then closed out the ensuing drive with a four-yard touchdown run and a 21-0 lead at the half. The final scoring drive took 13 plays and covered 69 yards in 3:39.
Wagner got the ball to open the second half and put together a 15 play, 75-yard scoring drive to make it a 21-7 game that took 10:08 off the clock in the third quarter.
The score remained 21-7 to start the fourth but Wagner drove down to the UMass 10-yardline before the Minutemen stymied a fake field goal attempt on a fourth and five to stifle any Seahawk momentum.
Then after flipping field position, Harding had the pivotal punt return touchdown to make it a 28-7 game with 7:58 left.
Brandon Campbell then capped the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run at 2:15 of the fourth quarter, making it 35-7. The touchdown capped a five play, 44-yard drive. It was Campbell's second rushing touchdown of the season.
Notes
- For the eighth consecutive game, Josh Atwood, Taisun Phommachanh, Te'Rai Powell and Tyler Rudolph served as the Massachusetts captains.
- T.Y. Harding caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season early in the first quarter.
- Harding then added a punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it a 28-7 game.
- It was the first UMass punt return touchdown since Isaiah Rodgers returned one at Charlotte on September 14, 2019.
- Taisun Phommachanh passed for one touchdown and added two rushing touchdowns.
- Phommachanh now has 11 touchdowns this season (eight passing and three rushing).
- Te'Rai Powell notched his first career interception late in the first quarter, which was the fourth interception of the year for the Minutemen.
- Louce Julien posted his second sack of the season and totaled three tackles for loss (10 yards).
- Julien's three tackles for loss were the most by a Minuteman since Billy Wooden had three at New Mexico State on September 23, 2023.
- Jalen John posted a career-high 42-yard rush.
- Kofi Asare posted his first career sack in the fourth quarter.
- Jacob Lurie went five-for-five on extra point attempts to improve to 18-for-18 on the season.
Next Up
Massachusetts heads to Starkville, Mississippi, to face Mississippi State next Saturday at 4:15 p.m. on the SEC Network.
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Team Stats
WAG 0, UMA 7
UMA - Harding,T.Y. 36 yd pass from Phommachanh,Taisun (Lurie,Jacob kick) 4 plays, 92 yards, TOP 01:49
WAG 0, UMA 14
UMA - Phommachanh,Taisun 3 yd run (Lurie,Jacob kick), 7 plays, 44 yards, TOP 03:33
WAG 0, UMA 21
UMA - Phommachanh,Taisun 4 yd run (Lurie,Jacob kick), 13 plays, 69 yards, TOP 03:39
WAG 7, UMA 21
WAG - Hines,Andre 7 yd run (Schwindt,Matthew kick), 15 plays, 75 yards, TOP 10:08
WAG 7, UMA 28
UMA - Harding,T.Y. 58 yd punt return (Lurie,Jacob kick)
WAG 7, UMA 35
UMA - Campbell,Brandon 4 yd run (Lurie,Jacob kick), 5 plays, 44 yards, TOP 02:59
