University of Massachusets Athletics
Three Selected As UMass Student-Athletes Of The Week
September 08, 2026 | Field Hockey, Football, Athletics Department
AMHERST, Mass. – Three student-athletes earned UMass Student-Athletes of the Week, presented by UMassFive College Credit Union. Emily Barrett of field hockey, along with Derek Morris and William "Pop" Watson of football will all be honored at the UMass Sports Luncheon next week.
The luncheon takes place on Wednesday, September 9, at noon in the Berkshire Room of the Berkshire Dining Commons. Cost to attend is $17.50 ($15.75 for UMass Alumni).Â
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Emily Barrett | So. | Forward | Sevenoaks, England / Brighton College
Barrett had a hand in four of the Minutewomen's eight goals for the week behind three goals and an assist. She scored twice in a 5-1 win over Boston University, her fourth-career multi-goal game and second in as many years against BU. Barrett's goals on Friday came in the span of 4:06 in the first quarter to give UMass a quick 4-0 lead. On Sunday against UMass Lowell, Barrett finished off a centering feed 33 seconds into the third quarter for a 2-0 Minutewomen lead, which proved to be the difference in a 3-1 win. She also assisted on UMass' third goal. On the season, Barrett is second on the team with nine points via four goals and two assists.
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William "Pop" Watson III | Sr. | Quarterback | Springfield, Mass. / Springfield Central
Leading UMass to a 37-21 win at Big Ten foe Rutgers on Sept. 3, Watson totaled 197 passing yards on an efficient 19-for-22 night (86.36%) while throwing for three touchdowns, including a 31-yard strike to Joseph Griffin Jr.  Watson III also rushed six times for 40 yards (6.7 yards per rush) and did not take a sack as the Minutemen snapped a 16-game losing streak and beat a current P4 opponent for the first time since joining FBS.  Watson III became the first UMass quarterback with three passing touchdowns and an 80% completion rate in a game in the FBS era, and the first since current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen in 2008. The win was the first for UMass since beating Wagner on Oct. 26, 2024, and marked the program's first FBS win since winning at Army on Oct. 28, 2023.Â
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Derek Morris | Jr. |Â Place Kicker | Dayton, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick
Morris helped lead UMass to a 37-21 win at Big Ten foe Rutgers on Sept. 3, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on extra points to account for 13 points in the win, which helped the Minutemen snap a 16-game losing streak and beat a current P4 opponent for the first time since joining the FBS ranks. Â Morris hit field goals of 52, 31 and 30 yards. Also handling kickoff duties, he went 8-for-8 on forcing touchbacks. Â
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The luncheon takes place on Wednesday, September 9, at noon in the Berkshire Room of the Berkshire Dining Commons. Cost to attend is $17.50 ($15.75 for UMass Alumni).Â
Â
Emily Barrett | So. | Forward | Sevenoaks, England / Brighton College
Barrett had a hand in four of the Minutewomen's eight goals for the week behind three goals and an assist. She scored twice in a 5-1 win over Boston University, her fourth-career multi-goal game and second in as many years against BU. Barrett's goals on Friday came in the span of 4:06 in the first quarter to give UMass a quick 4-0 lead. On Sunday against UMass Lowell, Barrett finished off a centering feed 33 seconds into the third quarter for a 2-0 Minutewomen lead, which proved to be the difference in a 3-1 win. She also assisted on UMass' third goal. On the season, Barrett is second on the team with nine points via four goals and two assists.
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William "Pop" Watson III | Sr. | Quarterback | Springfield, Mass. / Springfield Central
Leading UMass to a 37-21 win at Big Ten foe Rutgers on Sept. 3, Watson totaled 197 passing yards on an efficient 19-for-22 night (86.36%) while throwing for three touchdowns, including a 31-yard strike to Joseph Griffin Jr.  Watson III also rushed six times for 40 yards (6.7 yards per rush) and did not take a sack as the Minutemen snapped a 16-game losing streak and beat a current P4 opponent for the first time since joining FBS.  Watson III became the first UMass quarterback with three passing touchdowns and an 80% completion rate in a game in the FBS era, and the first since current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen in 2008. The win was the first for UMass since beating Wagner on Oct. 26, 2024, and marked the program's first FBS win since winning at Army on Oct. 28, 2023.Â
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Derek Morris | Jr. |Â Place Kicker | Dayton, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick
Morris helped lead UMass to a 37-21 win at Big Ten foe Rutgers on Sept. 3, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on extra points to account for 13 points in the win, which helped the Minutemen snap a 16-game losing streak and beat a current P4 opponent for the first time since joining the FBS ranks. Â Morris hit field goals of 52, 31 and 30 yards. Also handling kickoff duties, he went 8-for-8 on forcing touchbacks. Â
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Players Mentioned
F
/ Field Hockey
WR
/ Football
PK
/ Football
QB
/ FootballTuesday, September 08
Tuesday, September 08
Monday, September 07
Monday, September 07