2020 UMass Minutemen football team

American college football season

2020 UMass Minutemen football

Conference	Independent
Record	0–4
Head coach	Walt Bell (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Tommy Restivo (2nd season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Seasons ← 2019 2021 →

2020 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 11 BYU		–		11	–	1
No. 17 Liberty		–		10	–	1
Army		–		9	–	3
New Mexico State		–		1	–	1
UMass		–		0	–	4

Note: Due to COVID-19, UConn canceled the 2020 football season; New Mexico State was the only FBS school to play a spring schedule. Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 UMass Minutemen football team represented the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Minutemen competed as an independent. They were led by second-year head coach Walt Bell.

UMass originally announced on August 11, 2020, that they would not play football in the fall over concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was reversed on September 21, as UMass announced that opponents would be announced "as they become official".^[1] Although the Minutemen's home stadium was Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, all games there were cancelled; the team played only away games in 2020.

The Minutemen finished the abridged season winless, at 0–4, and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 161 to 12.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released.

Award	Player	Position	Year
Outland Trophy^[2]	Larnel Coleman	OL	RS SR
Wuerffel Trophy^[3]	Cole McCubrey	LB	SR
Wuerffel Trophy^[3]	Solomon Siskind	TE	RS JR

Schedule

UMass went 0–4, scoring 12 total points while allowing 161 points by their opponents.

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
October 17	4:00 p.m.	at Georgia Southern	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA	ESPN2	L 0–41	4,856
November 7	2:30 p.m.	at No. 16 Marshall	Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV	ESPN+	L 10–51	11,711
November 20	8:00 p.m.	at Florida Atlantic	FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL	CBSSN	L 2–24	5,554
November 27	12:00 p.m.	at Liberty	Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA	ESPN3	L 0–45	250
Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 24 released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

At Georgia Southern

Massachusetts at Georgia Southern

	1	2	3	4	Total
Minutemen	0	0	0	0	0
• Eagles	14	14	10	3	41

Date: October 17, 2020
Location: Paulson Stadium
Statesboro, GA
Game start: 4:07 p.m. EDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 12 minutes
Game attendance: 4,856
Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
Referee: Wayne Winkler
TV announcers (ESPN2): Bill Roth (play–by–play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)

Scoring summary

1	12:18	GASO	Malik Murray 47-yard pass from Shai Werts (Alex Raynor kick) (5 plays, 75 yards, 2:42)	GASO 7–0
1	08:14	GASO	Beau Johnson 8-yard pass from Shai Werts (Alex Raynor kick) (7 plays, 39 yards, 1:57)	GASO 14–0

2	09:12	GASO	Beau Johnson 10-yard pass from Shai Werts (Alex Raynor kick) (7 plays, 50 yards, 4:13)	GASO 21–0
2	01:39	GASO	Shai Werts 4-yard rush (Alex Raynor kick) (8 plays, 60 yards, 5:01)	GASO 28–0

3	13:08	GASO	Alex Raynor 27-yard field goal (5 plays, 10 yards, 1:25)	GASO 31–0
3	06:40	GASO	Wesley Kennedy III 56-yard rush (Alex Raynor kick) (2 plays, 60 yards, 0:55)	GASO 38–0

4	02:34	GASO	Alex Raynor 31-yard field goal (4 plays, 8 yards, 2:18)	GASO 41–0

Pregame line	Over/under
GASO −31	62^[4]

Statistics	UMass	Georgia Southern
First downs	10	20
Total yards	191	436
Rushing yards	111	308
Passing yards	80	128
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	29:09	30:51

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UMass	Passing	Mike Fallon	7/12, 41 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Will Koch	4 carries, 41 yards
	Receiving	Samuel Emilus	4 receptions, 28 yards
Georgia Southern	Passing	Shai Werts	11/16, 128 yards, 3 TDs
	Rushing	Wesley Kennedy III	6 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Malik Murray	4 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD

At Marshall

Massachusetts at Marshall

	1	2	3	4	Total
Minutemen	7	3	0	0	10
• No. 16 Thundering Herd	14	17	13	7	51

Date: November 7, 2020
Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Huntington, WV
Game start: 2:30 p.m. EST
Elapsed time: 2 hours and 55 minutes
Game attendance: 11,711
Game weather: Clear and Sunny • Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Wind: Calm
Referee: Rodney Burnette
TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Martin (play–by–play) and Jake Griffith (analyst)

Scoring summary

1	13:28	MRSH	Brenden Knox 45-yard rush (Shane Ciucci kick) (4 plays, 75 yards, 1:32)	MRSH 7–0
	7:01	MASS	Samuel Emilus 2-yard pass from Will Koch (Jeremy Martin kick) (6 plays, 80 yards, 2:48)	TIED 7–7
	2:02	MRSH	Brenden Knox 14-yard rush (Shane Ciucci kick) (11 plays, 82 yards, 4:59)	MRSH 14–7

2	9:52	MRSH	Corey Gammage 19-yard pass from Grant Wells (Shane Ciucci kick) (8 plays, 49 yards, 3:00)	MRSH 21–7
	6:04	MRSH	Shane Ciucci 43-yard field goal (5 plays, 17 yards, 2:13)	MRSH 24–7
	2:38	MASS	Jeremy Martin 46-yard field goal (8 plays, 46 yards, 3:26)	MRSH 24–10
	0:38	MRSH	Sheldon Evans 11-yard rush (Shane Ciucci kick) (6 plays, 74 yards, 2:00)	MRSH 31–10

3	6:47	MRSH	Xavier Gaines 13-yard pass from Grant Wells (Shane Ciucci rush failed) (11 plays, 80 yards, 5:12)	MRSH 37–10
3	3:46	MRSH	Xavier Gaines 16-yard pass from Grant Wells (Shane Ciucci kick) (2 plays, 16 yards, 0:44)	MRSH 44–10

4	13:04	MRSH	Knowledge McDaniel 14-yard pass from Grant Wells (Shane Ciucci kick) (5 plays, 61 yards, 2:37)	MRSH 51–10

Pregame line	Over/under
MRSH −44.5	55.5

Statistics	UMass	Marshall
First downs	12	33
Total yards	190	495
Rushing yards	41	267
Passing yards	149	228
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	26:53	33:07

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UMass	Passing	Will Koch	12/18, 99 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Ellis Merriweather	10 carries, 31 yards
	Receiving	Taylor Edwards	1 reception, 37 yards
Marshall	Passing	Grant Wells	21/30, 228 yards, 3 TDs
	Rushing	Brenden Knox	14 carries, 118 yards, 2 TDs
	Receiving	Artie Henry	5 receptions, 71 yards

At Florida Atlantic

Massachusetts at Florida Atlantic

	1	2	3	4	Total
Minutemen	0	0	2	0	2
• Owls	7	0	14	3	24

Date: November 20, 2020
Location: FAU Stadium
Boca Raton, FL
Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
Game attendance: 5,554
Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: ENE 20 MPH
Referee: K. Antee
TV announcers (CBS Sports Network): Jason Knapp (play-by-play) and Malik Zaire (analyst)

Scoring summary

1	10:58	FAU	BJ Emmons 1 yard run (Vladmir Rivas kick) (8 plays, 57 yards, 3:04)	FAU 7–0

3	06:47	FAU	Brandon Robinson 13 yard pass from Nick Tronti (Vladmir Rivas kick) (15 plays, 65 yards, 8:13)	FAU 14–0
	04:27	FAU	Javion Posey 70 yard run (Vladmir Rivas kick) (1 play, 70 yards, 0:13)	FAU 21–0
	01:55	UMASS	9 yard safety	FAU 21–2

4	04:58	FAU	Vladmir Rivas 30 yard field goal (5 plays, 53 yards, 1:53)	FAU 24–2

Pregame line	Over/under
FAU −32.5	50.5^[5]

Statistics	UMass	Florida Atlantic
First downs	8	16
Total yards	147	368
Rushing yards	62	140
Passing yards	85	228
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	25:10	34:50

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UMass	Passing	Will Koch	12/22, 67 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Ellis Merriweather	11 carries, 48 yards
	Receiving	Josiah Johnson	8 receptions, 42 yards
Florida Atlantic	Passing	Javion Posey	13/27, 203 yards
	Rushing	Javion Posey	19 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	TJ Chase	4 receptions, 79 yards

At Liberty

Massachusetts at Liberty

	1	2	3	4	Total
Minutemen	0	0	0	0	0
• Flames	14	17	14	0	45

Date: November 27, 2020
Location: Williams Stadium
Lynchburg, VA
Game start: 12:05 p.m. EST
Elapsed time: 2 hours and 55 minutes
Game attendance: 250
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind: E 4 MPH
Referee: Riley Johnson
Television network: ESPN3

Scoring summary

1	6:38	LIB	Kevin Shaa 31-yard pass from Malik Willis (Alex Barbir kick) (8 plays, 80 yards, 2:28)	LIB 7–0
1	1:12	LIB	Joshua Mack 59-yard run (2 plays, 72 yards, 0:28)	LIB 14–0

2	10:39	LIB	Michael Bollinger 13-yard pass from Malik Willis (Alex Barbir kick) (5 plays, 76 yards, 1:52)	LIB 21–0
	4:41	LIB	Demario Douglas 41-yard pass from Malik Willis (Alex Barbir kick) (7 plays, 80 yards, 4:30)	LIB 28–0
	0:02	LIB	Alex Barbir 24-yard field goal (7 plays, 55 yards, 0:37)	LIB 31–0

3	6:14	LIB	Malik Willis 54-yard run (Alex Barbir kick) (5 plays, 67 yards, 1:27)	LIB 38–0
3	0:26	LIB	Peytton Pickett 16-yard run (Alex Barbir kick) (3 plays, 41 yards, 1:35)	LIB 45–0

Pregame line	Over/under
LIB −35.5	57.5^[6]

Statistics	UMass	Liberty
First downs	12	31
Total yards	227	629
Rushing yards	55	378
Passing yards	172	251
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	25:50	34:10

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UMass	Passing	Garret Dzuro	9/22, 172 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Cam Roberson	5 carries, 17 yards
	Receiving	Samuel Emilus	4 receptions, 82 yards
Liberty	Passing	Malik Willis	16/24, 223 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Peytton Pickett	10 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	DeMario Douglas	4 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD

References

^ "UMass reverses call, to play limited fall schedule". ESPN.com. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
^ "2020 Outland Trophy Watch List Unveiled". July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
^ "The Wuerffel Trophy 2020 Watch List (Non AP)". July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
^ "Massachusetts Minutemen vs Georgia Southern Eagles". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
^ "Massachusetts Minutemen vs Florida Atlantic Owls". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
^ "Massachusetts Minutemen vs Liberty Flames". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 27, 2020.

v t e UMass Minutemen football
Venues	Alumni Field (1879–1964) Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium (1965–2011, 2014–) Gillette Stadium (alternate) (2012–2016)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Boston College New Hampshire UConn
Culture & lore	Sam the Minuteman "Fight Mass" University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917–1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold