Toruble in Amherst: a UMass football story

Transitioning from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) is a tough task. Teams often struggle when they ascend to college football’s highest division. It takes a few seasons, but eventually the higher media exposure and coveted FBS status attract higher-level recruits, allowing these teams to be competitive.

A well-known success story is Coastal Carolina, which achieved an 11-1 record in just its fourth season of FBS play. However, some teams struggle to adapt, becoming stagnant in the basement of the FBS—creating what some might call a “factory of sadness”.

There is no factory sadder than UMass. Since making the jump in 2012, the Minutemen have consistently been basement dwellers. Whether competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) or as an independent, they have never won more than four games in a season. Even the famously miserable Kent State secured seven wins as recently as 2021.

Currently, UMass is in the midst of a winless season, sitting at 0-6. Their most recent loss: a 42-7 thrashing at the hands of Kent State, their fellow bottom-feeder who went 0-12 last year.

Looking ahead to the rest of their season, it’s highly plausible that UMass finishes with the same result. It’s hard to find a bright spot on a team that has scored only six touchdowns this season, but Jacquon Gibson has stuck out as the team’s offensive MVP, racking up 36 receptions for 358 yards.

On the defensive side, linebacker Timmy Hinspeter leads the way with 65 combined tackles, two sacks and an interception.

Their best chance to win comes on November 12th against NIU. The Huskies are one spot above them in the MAC standings at 1-5 and haven’t scored 20 points in a game this season. However, the Huskies’ defense regularly holds opponents to similarly low scores, leaving little hope for UMass, which has not managed to score more than ten points against an FBS opponent this season.

On average, coaches last less than three seasons in Amherst, and the current bench boss, Joe Harasymiak, may be out after this year if they don't turn things around and win a game or two.

Unlike the NFL, where the worst teams are rewarded with high draft picks, a poor season in college football can severely hinder your recruiting efforts, leading to more losses.

While they certainly won’t be in a bowl game come December, Harasymiak and the Minutemen still have a lot to fight for. The future of the program is in their hands, and every win helps their efforts to recruit talent that could turn them into a contender.

Currently, there are seven three-star players committed to UMass in the class of 2026, per ESPN. The most exciting recruit: Tyler Bell, the 32nd-ranked QB in the nation for his class. A glimmer of hope for Minutemen faithful: four-star wide receiver Xavier Stinson is currently listed as considering by ESPN. They have never recruited a four-star player as an FBS team, and the way they finish this year will determine if Stinson is the first.

Gabe Eisenberg is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email
gfe5080@psu.edu