Massachusetts Football Posts Homecoming Win Over CCSU

Don Brown Post-Game Presser

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts football team posted a 35-31 Homecoming win over Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium (10,847).

In a back-and-forth contest, the Minutemen went up for good at 9:18 of the fourth quarter on a 3-yard Brandon Campbell touchdown rush. Defensive back Leonard St. Gourdin had two key pass breakups down the stretch, including one on fourth down with 1:28 to play, as the UMass defense put the game away. It marked Don Brown's 100th career win as a head coach.

Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh finished the day 20-for-30 through the air with three touchdowns and added 43 yards on the ground. Wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James finished the day with five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, the Minutemen held CCSU to a 2-for-11 mark on third down and 90 yards rushing. Tim Grant-Randall finished with a team-high five tackles, while Ryan Barnes posted his first career interception.

How It Happened

Massachusetts held CCSU to a three-and-out to start the game and then marched 56 yards in 10 plays with Jackson Paradis' 1-yard touchdown run capping the 5:15 scoring drive.

The Minutemen extended the lead to 14-0 at 9:10 of the second quarter when Jakobie Keeney-James caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to cap a seven play, 82-yard drive. It marked his second touchdown grab of the season.

Central Connecticut State got on the board at 6:15 of the second quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Ricky Ortega to make it 14-7. A 1-yard touchdown run by CCSU's Elijah Howard then made it 14-14 at 4:08 of the second.

The Minutemen responded with an 11 play, 84-yard scoring drive that took 3:22 off the clock and ended with a 2-yard Owen Anderson touchdown catch, which was the first of his career. The Blue Devils took advantage of a squib kick they got to early and sent the teams to the locker room tied at 21-21 after finishing off a 27-yard drive to end the half.

CCSU recovered an onside kick and scored to open the second half, taking the 28-21 lead at 10:12 of the third.

Ryan Barnes snagged his first career interception at 7:25 of the third to get the ball back for the Minutemen, still trailing 28-21. The Minutemen were unable to convert the turnover into points but the UMass defense held strong on the following CCSU possession.

On the next drive, TY Harding scored his first career touchdown on a career-long 57-yard TD grab. It moved the score to 28-28 at 1:38 of the third.

CCSU responded with a 61-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard field goal to take a 31-28 lead with 14:11 left to play in the fourth quarter.

The Minutemen mounted a 10 play, 75-yard drive to claim a 35-31 lead after Brandon Campbell pushed his way into the endzone with 9:18 left in the fourth.

Facing a 3rd and 6 with 8:34 left in the fourth, Leonard St. Gourdin came up with a pass break-up forcing the punt. The Minute took over the 10-yard line, putting together a 12 play, 67-yard drive that ate 6:26 on the clock and gave the Blue Devils the ball with just 1:54 remaining.

The Massachusetts defensive unit came in clutch in the final two minutes, forcing five consecutive incompletions to re-claim possession with 1:24 left on the clock. The Minutemen ran out the clock with two kneel downs, claiming the 35-31 victory.

Notes

Massachusetts Head Coach Don Brown notched his 100th career victory.
For the fourth consecutive game, Josh Atwood, Taisun Phommachanh, Te'Rai Powell and Tyler Rudolph served as the Massachusetts captains.
Jackson Paradis notched his first career touchdown with a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
Jakobie Keeney-James caught his second touchdown of the season/with UMass and the sixth of his career midway through the second quarter.
Owen Anderson caught his first career touchdown pass late in the first half.
Ryan Barnes recorded his first career interception midway through the third quarter.
Campbell's three-yard rushing touchdown marked his first with UMass and fifth of his career.
Massachusetts recorded eight plays of 15 yards or more on the afternoon.

Next Up

Massachusetts hits the road to play at Miami (Ohio) next Saturday, September 28 for a 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).

– UMassAthletics.com –

Scoreboard

Next Event

Team Stats

Taisun Phommachanh

Players Mentioned

Owen Anderson

Josh Atwood

Ryan Barnes

Brandon Campbell

Tim Grant-Randall

Jakobie Keeney-James

Jackson Paradis

Taisun Phommachanh

Te'Rai Powell

Tyler Rudolph

Leonard St. Gourdin

Players Mentioned

Owen Anderson

Josh Atwood

Ryan Barnes

Brandon Campbell

Tim Grant-Randall

Jakobie Keeney-James

Jackson Paradis

Taisun Phommachanh

Te'Rai Powell

Tyler Rudolph

Leonard St. Gourdin

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics