AMHERST — Back to square one.
Things looked promising for the UMass football team last winter when Joe Harasymiak was hired to lead the Minutemen into the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Having coached on staffs at multiple Big 10 programs with an eye for teaching the defensive side of the game, this was supposed to be the year that UMass football started building up its reputation.
All that went out the window when the Minutemen lost to Bryant, an FCS program, on a field goal as time expired at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday.
The Bulldogs walked off the field with a 27-26 victory, while the Minutemen exited the gridiron in disbelief of yet another agonizing result.
“Bottom line, we didn’t make enough plays in the second half to win the game,” Harasymiak said postgame. “Credit to them, give all the credit to them. They showed up and made plays, we didn’t.”
Unless the Minutemen can pull off a massive upset against either Iowa or Missouri — on the road — in the coming weeks, their loss to Bryant will wear like a scarlet letter the rest of the season.
UMass hadn’t lost to an FCS program since 2021 (Rhode Island, Maine) prior to the Bulldogs’ shocking win.
“I’m so happy for these kids,” Bryant head coach Chris Merritt said. “Nobody gave them a shot to win today’s ballgame. They played their butts off and I had a feeling throughout the week that we had a good matchup in what we were doing. Playing for each other, that’s what we did.”
The Minutemen scored the first touchdown of the contest on a Tyler Martin 23-yard pick-6 with 4 minutes, 4 seconds left in the first quarter and held a lead up until the final minute of the third quarter.
UMass linebacker Tyler Martin (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring a pick-six during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Bryant wide receiver Zyheem Collick hauled in a floater from quarterback Brennan Myer, then raced down field for a 72-yard score. Following a successful extra point from Bryce Soli (remember that name), the Bulldogs entered the final frame with a 24-23 advantage.
The fourth quarter resembled the final act of a Mission Impossible film with several edge-of-your-seat moments.
First, QB Grant Jordan — who played under center for a majority of the game for UMass as starter Brandon Rose suffered an injury during the first quarter — heaved a hope pass to Donnie Gray following a premature snap, which turned into a 41-yard gain for the Minutemen.
That led to an opportunity for UMass kicker Derek Morris to put the Minutemen back on top with a 53-yard field-goal attempt. Despite missing both an extra-point attempt and a 38-yarder earlier in the affair, Morris nailed the long-ball, setting a new-UMass record in the process while also putting his team back on top, 26-24, with 4:11 showing on the game clock.
“That was a kick all the way and credit to [Morris],” Harasymiak said. “His line that way was probably 30-32, he kicked it from the 35. Let’s take ownership too. We missed an extra point. How much did we lose by? One. Every play matters.”
Bryant’s next possession ended with an interception from Minutemen safety D.D. Snyder with 2:31 left in the game, however UMass gave the ball right back after a three-and-out possession.
With 1:45 remaining in regulation, the Bulldogs blitzed up-field 78 yards on 13 plays –aided by a Minutemen holding penalty that gave the visitors a free first down — before Soli sailed the pigskin through the up-rights from 25 yards out, to cap off Saturday’s shootout.
“There’s no other option but to man up, to nut up, stick together and see what we got,” Harasymiak said. “We got two out-of-conference games left, then we got eight MAC games, let’s see what we’re made of.”
UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak, left, walks off the field after losing the NCAA football game against Bryant 27-26 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Myer’s final stat line read 22-for-44 for 318 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions as Bryant’s QB. Jordan — who was subbed out for A.J. Hairston briefly during the third quarter — totaled 205 yards and an interception while going 13-for-22, and also ran for a score.
Collick produced a pair of touchdowns for Bryant on three catches for 94 receiving yards.
“Proud of the way [we] fought, we just didn’t make enough plays,” Harasymiak said. “I think we underestimated how hard it is to teach people to win and that’s what we just witnessed. We had every reason to win that game, but so did they and they made the play. Got to stick together.”
UMass (0-2) will take on the Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa next Saturday. Kickoff at Kinnick Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.
UMass quarterback Brandon Rose (1) hands the ball to running back Rocko Griffin, right, during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Bryant tight end Koby Keenan, top, jumps over UMass wide receiver Jake McConnachie, bottom during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass fans sit in an empty section during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass quarterback Grant Jordan waits for the next play during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass cornerback Raheim Sexil, left, tackles Zyheem Collick (8) in the end zone during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Collick would score and Sexil would be called for targeting. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass defensive lineman Marques White (16) blocks a pass from Bryant quarterback Brennan Myer (9) during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass linebacker Tyler Martin (5) celebrates with cornerback Brennen Bailey (12) after scoring a pick-six during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass running back Brandon Hood, top, dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass quarterback Grant Jordan (9) runs the ball during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass linebacker Timmy Hinspeter, left, tackles Bryant running back Elijah Elliot, right, during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass wide receiver Jake McConnachie (7) smiles after a play during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Bryant running back Grant Robinson, center, is tackled by UMass defensive lineman Malachi Madison (54) during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass offensive lineman Benjamin Roy Jr. (55) yells before a snap during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass star Derrieon Craig (0) attempts to track down Bryant wide receiver Sterling Anderson (84) during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass cornerback Raheim Sexil (13) attempts to block a pass to Bryant wide receiver Zyheem Collick (8) during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. The pass was eventually dropped. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass quarterback Grant Jordan (9) throws the ball during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Bryant defensive back Kaden Hamilton (7) pops the ball out from the hands of UMass tight end Max Dowling, left, during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak, center, talks to the team during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass safety DD Snyder holds onto an intercepted pass during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass defensive lineman Malachi Madison, right, prepares for a snap during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Bryant and UMass compete during the NCAA football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass safety DD Snyder, center, celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the NCAA football game against Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
James Kalogeropoulos, center, serves hot dogs while tailgating before the NCAA football game between UMass and Bryant outside McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Armaan Chowdhary throws a die while tailgating before the NCAA football game between UMass and Bryant outside McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
Sousaphones of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band perform as players walk to the stadium before the NCAA football game between UMass and Bryant outside McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
UMass wide receiver Samuel Baddoo looks out a window before the NCAA football game between UMass and Bryant at the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Nearby tornado warnings resulted in a game delay and prompted people to seek shelter. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
People watch as rain continues to pour before the NCAA football game between UMass and Bryant at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Nearby tornado warnings resulted in a game delay and prompted people to seek shelter. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
McGuirk Alumni Stadium sits empty before the NCAA football game between UMass and Bryant, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Amherst. Nearby tornado warnings resulted in a game delay and prompted people to seek shelter. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II
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