Winless Minutemen: Can UMass Turn Things Around?
The University of Massachusetts football team has reached rock bottom in its ongoing rebuilding effort. Sitting at 0-9 overall and 0-5 in the MAC, the Minutemen are the last winless team in the FBS. Each game has followed a familiar pattern: inconsistent play, missed opportunities, and lopsided final scores. Trying to compete in the FBS, UMass must find a new direction quickly or risk falling even deeper into frustration and long-term struggle.
Offensively, the Minutemen's performance has been a struggle. UMass is averaging just 8.8 points per game, ranking last among all FBS programs. The team's 45-3 loss to NIU Wednesday night highlighted its ongoing struggles, inconsistent quarterback play, weak defense, and a running game that has yet to find its rhythm. Without a reliable offense, the Minutemen fail to put together successful scoring drives and don't put pressure on opposing defenses.
Defensively, UMass has shown moments of toughness, but not enough to win games. The Minutemen are allowing almost 40 points per game and rank near the bottom in nearly every defensive statistic. Versus NIU, the Minutemen allowed 318 rushing yards, highlighting the defensive struggles. Repeated mistakes and failed tackles prevent the defense from making a true impact on the game.
Despite the winless record, there have been small glimpses of potential that offer some hope for the future. Two close games with Bryant and Buffalo earlier this season showed they can compete when mistakes are limited. However, the rebuilding process is still in its early stages, and a winless start to head coach Joe Harasymiak's inaugural season is far from ideal. With two games remaining for the Minutemen, there is still hope for a first win, but it may be challenging, and significant improvements will be needed for UMass to be competitive in the FBS.
The 2025 season for UMass has been a reminder of the challenges involved in rebuilding a struggling program. Consistency has been a problem on both sides of the ball, but small flashes of competitiveness give the Minutemen hope. The Minutemen have a long road ahead, and stringing together a few wins to end the season would be promising. Ultimately, developing and building a strong team identity will be important for UMass to achieve success in the future. UMass looks for its first win on November 18th against Ohio.
