UMass’ second FCS contender of the season trots into town looking for an upset on a vulnerable Minutemen squad.
UMass gained some much-needed rest last week after suffering an embarrassing 45-3 loss to Missouri on ESPN2. This week, an opponent on the other end of the Division I spectrum awaits when Wagner comes to town. UMass already struggled against one Northeast Conference team this year when they beat Central Connecticut State by four. Wagner is not an FCS contender or even the best team in the NEC, but the Seahawks are beginning to find their groove. If the Minutemen are not careful, they could find themselves in another FCS dogfight.
Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
- Location: McGurik Alumni Stadium in Amherst, Massachusetts
- Viewing options: The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. A valid cable subscription is required. Jay Burnham (play-by-play) and Andy Gresh (color) will commentate.
- Radio options: Adam Frenier (play-by-play) and Matt Goldstein (color) will provide the UMass call on the Varsity Network App.
- All-time series: UMass leads the series 20-0, with the last matchup a 34-10 Minutemen win in 2016.
Wagner’s defense is the overwhelming strength of the team. In their past five games against FCS competition, the Seahawks have allowed 12 points per game. For the season, the opponents average 19.5 points per game against Wagner. Without their 41-10 loss to Florida Atlantic, this number drops to 16.4.
Wagner can hang around if the Minutemen are not careful. Florida Atlantic only led 17-10 at halftime before pulling away in their 41-10 win over the Seahawks. The Seahawks’ prolific pass rush could pose problems for a struggling UMass line. Wagner has five different players with at least six tackles-for-loss, while Jorel Liverpool and Logan Barnes have over four sacks each and are legitimate candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award for the best defensive player in the FCS.
Luckily for UMass, the Wagner front seven struggled in their lone FBS game, only notching one sack and allowing 315 rushing yards. UMass must start fast and depend heavily on the run to wear down Wagner’s undersized front. An effective UMass run game limits the opportunities Wagner has to get to Taisunn Phommachanh. UMass allowed four sacks against Missouri, bringing their total to 24 sacks for the year. UMass’ pair of freshman backs, Jackson Paradis, who had an extensive role against Miami, and Cookie Desiderio, who had his first three career carries against Missouri, could gain valuable experience in this one.
The UMass secondary must prevent receiver Jaylen Bonelli from creating chunk plays for Wagner. Bonelli averages 73 yards per game receiving with 588 yards on the year and is the Seahawks’ biggest weapon. Wagner’s run game struggled against Florida Atlantic, rushing for 20 yards and less than one yard per carry against a run defense that allowed over 400 yards to UConn. This is good news against a UMass front allowing 171 yards per game on the ground. The Minutemen stifled Wagner’s NEC counterpart, Central Connecticut State, earlier this year, holding them to 90 yards.
UMass should bounce back after a blowout loss to a Power Four opponent and a bye week. Nevertheless, Wagner’s strengths align with UMass’ weaknesses, particularly on defense. A dominant win against Wagner shows progress and could build momentum for the end of the year.