.png&type=webp)
University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Athletics And Buffalo Athletics Announce Milton CAT as Presenting Sponsor of the Newly Coined Flagship Cup Rivalry Series
October 15, 2025 | Football
The teams will meet for the 16th time this Saturday
AMHERST, Mass. and BUFFALO, N.Y. (Oct. 15, 2025) – As the University at Buffalo and University of Massachusetts begin a new era of their football rivalry, the series is also introducing a new name and presenting sponsor. The Flagship Cup presented by Milton CAT, a longstanding partner of both athletic departments, kicks off Saturday, October 18, in the 16th meeting between the Bulls and Minutemen.
The Flagship Cup, named in recognition of both universities' standing as the flagship institution of their respective states, will be presented by Milton CAT for the next three years as UMass joins Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference to intensify the now annual rivalry game.
"Through our partnerships with each, Milton CAT knows both universities very well," said Dean Swartz, Director of Marketing for Milton CAT. "They are both proud institutions with deep football traditions. We are really excited to see this series come together and to be able to play a role in it."
A new rivalry series logo featuring Buffalo, UMass and Milton CAT branding debuts for this weekend's game, and a traveling trophy to reside with each year's winner until the following year's contest will soon be unveiled. As presenting sponsor of the Flagship Cup, Milton CAT will also help promote the rivalry series throughout the Upstate New York and New England region and play a key role in elevating the fan experience around the annual rivalry game.
"It is great to have the only two flagship public research campuses in the Mid-American Conference meet every fall to generate an awesome football rivalry," said Ryan Bamford, UMass Director of Athletics. "We're excited to celebrate our game annually in a way that our student-athletes and fans can enjoy. A special thanks to Milton CAT for stepping up to present this game as the official rivalry gets underway this October."
"We're excited to begin this new rivalry series with UMass," said Mark Alnutt, UB Vice President and Director of Athletics. "With us both being flagship universities of our respective states, it's a perfect fit. Playing for the Flagship Cup will be a fun and exciting way for our students, fans and alumni to share their passion for UB football."
Buffalo and UMass first met on the gridiron in 1964, a contest won by the Minutemen, 24-22, on their home turf in Amherst. Having tallied back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2024, the Bulls now hold a narrow 9-6 advantage headed into the 16th meeting of the tightly contested series.
The new era of The Flagship Cup begins in Amherst this Saturday as the Minutemen host the Bulls for a 2:30 p.m. kick inside McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
The joint partnership was facilitated by Bulls Sports Properties and UMass Sports Properties, the locally based teams of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college sports – and exclusive multimedia rights holders for Buffalo Athletics and UMass Athletics, respectively.
About Milton CAT
Milton CAT got its start in a dirt-floor garage in Concord, NH in 1960. Today, the company is over 1,600 employees strong and has 15 locations across New England and upstate New York. CEO Chris Milton is the third generation to be at the helm of a Caterpillar dealership. The company's products can be found in logging camps and nuclear facilities; dairy farms, US Army installations, hospitals, lobster boats and underground salt mines; solid waste landfills, data centers, paving projects, and ferries; commuter rail trains, quarries, and of course, job sites of all sizes. More information can be found at miltoncat.com.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
The Flagship Cup, named in recognition of both universities' standing as the flagship institution of their respective states, will be presented by Milton CAT for the next three years as UMass joins Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference to intensify the now annual rivalry game.
"Through our partnerships with each, Milton CAT knows both universities very well," said Dean Swartz, Director of Marketing for Milton CAT. "They are both proud institutions with deep football traditions. We are really excited to see this series come together and to be able to play a role in it."
A new rivalry series logo featuring Buffalo, UMass and Milton CAT branding debuts for this weekend's game, and a traveling trophy to reside with each year's winner until the following year's contest will soon be unveiled. As presenting sponsor of the Flagship Cup, Milton CAT will also help promote the rivalry series throughout the Upstate New York and New England region and play a key role in elevating the fan experience around the annual rivalry game.
"It is great to have the only two flagship public research campuses in the Mid-American Conference meet every fall to generate an awesome football rivalry," said Ryan Bamford, UMass Director of Athletics. "We're excited to celebrate our game annually in a way that our student-athletes and fans can enjoy. A special thanks to Milton CAT for stepping up to present this game as the official rivalry gets underway this October."
"We're excited to begin this new rivalry series with UMass," said Mark Alnutt, UB Vice President and Director of Athletics. "With us both being flagship universities of our respective states, it's a perfect fit. Playing for the Flagship Cup will be a fun and exciting way for our students, fans and alumni to share their passion for UB football."
Buffalo and UMass first met on the gridiron in 1964, a contest won by the Minutemen, 24-22, on their home turf in Amherst. Having tallied back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2024, the Bulls now hold a narrow 9-6 advantage headed into the 16th meeting of the tightly contested series.
The new era of The Flagship Cup begins in Amherst this Saturday as the Minutemen host the Bulls for a 2:30 p.m. kick inside McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
The joint partnership was facilitated by Bulls Sports Properties and UMass Sports Properties, the locally based teams of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college sports – and exclusive multimedia rights holders for Buffalo Athletics and UMass Athletics, respectively.
About Milton CAT
Milton CAT got its start in a dirt-floor garage in Concord, NH in 1960. Today, the company is over 1,600 employees strong and has 15 locations across New England and upstate New York. CEO Chris Milton is the third generation to be at the helm of a Caterpillar dealership. The company's products can be found in logging camps and nuclear facilities; dairy farms, US Army installations, hospitals, lobster boats and underground salt mines; solid waste landfills, data centers, paving projects, and ferries; commuter rail trains, quarries, and of course, job sites of all sizes. More information can be found at miltoncat.com.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
2025 Massachusetts Football - Week 8 (Buffalo) Monday Press Conference
Monday, October 13
10.11.25 | Kent State | Joe Harasymiak Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, October 11
2025 Massachusetts Football - Week 7 (Kent State) Monday Press Conference
Monday, October 06
UMass FB | Joe Harasymiak Post Game Press Conference vs. Western Michigan | 10.4.25
Saturday, October 04