Massachusetts
Massachusetts Falls To New Mexico In Overtime Clash – University of Massachusetts Athletics
AMHERST, Mass.– The University of Massachusetts football team dropped a 34-31 decision to New Mexico in overtime on Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium (8,298).
The Massachusetts defense flipped the script after halftime, holding the Lobos scoreless for the entire third and fourth quarters. The Minuteman capitalized on the opportunity erasing a 14-point halftime deficit as freshman Ahmad Haston launched a 65-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Simpson to make it a 28-26 with 45 seconds remaining in regulation. Gino Campiotti caught the two-point conversion to then make it a 28-28 game at the end of regulation.
Massachusetts started overtime with the ball, converting a field goal, but was unable to hold off the New Mexico offense as a two-yard rushing touchdown sealed a Lobos victory.
Lynch-Adams led the way on the ground, finishing with 97 yards on 26 attempts for the Minutemen.
In an injury-depleted secondary, Te’Rai Powell finished with a team-high nine tackles (four solo). Billy Wooden had a sack, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
How It Happened
New Mexico received the kickoff to begin action at McGuirk Alumni Field, however, the Minuteman defense forced the visiting Lobos into a quick three-and-out after holding strong on third down and a yard.
New Mexico opened the scoring, putting together a six-play, 79-yard touchdown drive to claim a 7-0 advantage with 6:20 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lobos made it 14-0 with 1:59 remaining in the first quarter after running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt capped a 40-yard drive with a 21-yard rushing touchdown.
New Mexico quarterback Dylan Hopkins finished an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown. The quarterback keeper made it 21-7 Lobos with 9:09 remaining in the first half.
The Lobos ended the first half with a seven-play touchdown drive to make it 28-14 with 35 seconds remaining.
Facing an eight-point deficit with 1:31 remaining, Haston orchestrated a four-play, 79-yard touchdown drive which featured Simpson’s 65-yard reception. The Minutemen converted on the two-point attempt to make it 28-28 with 45 seconds remaining in regulation.
Massachusetts started overtime with possession, scoring on a 34-yard Carson field goal. The Lobos responded by scoring the game-winning rushing touchdown after a pass interference penalty resulted in an automatic first down.
Notes
- Billy Wooden and Josh Atwood served as the Massachusetts captains.
- Carlos Davis made his third consecutive start at quarterback.
- Kay’Ron Lynch Adams’ second quarter, two-yard rushing touchdown was his fourth of the season and the sixth of his career
- With 97 rushing yards on the day, Lynch-Adams now has 874 yards for UMass and 1,194 in his career.
- Christian Wells’ 24-yard receiving touchdown was his first with UMass and tenth overall.
- With his 54-yard reception, Mark Pope ties his career-high. It marked Pope’s longest reception in a UMass uniform, matching a reception vs. Bethune-Cookman (09/14/19) during his time at Miami.
- Freshman Ahmad Haston made his first appearance for the Minutemen.
- Anthony Simpson set new career highs in receptions (5) and total receiving yards (104).
- This was the first overtime game for Massachusetts since defeating Liberty 62-59 (3OT) in 2018.
Next Up
The Minutemen continue their home stand with Arkansas State visiting McGuirk Alumni Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 30 (ESPN+).