With SEC foe Missouri set to roll into town, we look back at some of the biggest games in UMass’ FBS history.
Missouri’s visit to UMass is the undisputed most unlikely non-conference game this year by a fairly long shot; the match-up could possibly be in the running for unlikeliest over the last decade even.
It’s not every day you get to see a ranked SEC school travel to McGuirk Alumni Stadium for the first time— or at all, really. UMass has “hosted” Power conference teams before, but the “host site” was Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts for obvious reasons.
While Missouri’s visit is a generational event for UMass fans, the Minutemen have had multiple “big-time” opponents come to McGuirk during their FBS tenure.
What constitutes “big-time”? Everyone has their definition, but to make this fun, here are my criteria.
- A current Power Five member or member of a “deceased” automatic qualifying or “autonomy” conference such as the Big East or Southwest Conference.
- Notre Dame or BYU due to their national following associated with their respective religious denominations.
- Service academies due to their national following and common link to several Americans.
Former Big East Schools
2018: USF
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USF’s 2018 visit to UMass is often overlooked in both schools’ recent memory. UMass welcomed the 2005-2013 Big East member to McGuirk Alumni Stadium on October 6, 2018. USF was at its peak, winning 25 of their last 29 games, including 11-2 and 10-2 campaigns in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The Bulls hoped to continue its path to their first New Year’s Six Bowl ever with a 4-0 start coming into the game.
The Bulls and Minutemen played a game for the ages. Andrew Ford, Ross Comis, and Michael Curtis combined for over 400 pass yards, but it was not enough to knock off the Bulls. Jordan Cronkrite’s 302 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries for USF gave UMass a 58-42 loss for the second straight week.
Unfortunately, the points explosion drew a poor fan turnout. The 7,988 figure for this game was the lowest home turnout for UMass in 2018. UMass returns the favor to USF with a 2030 trip to end the series.
The “UGame” series (2019, 2021, 2023)
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I must include UMass’ games with longtime rival UConn due to my criteria. The Huskies were Big East football members from 2004-2012. After UMass moved to FBS, the Huskies traveled to McGuirk Alumni Stadium in 2019, 2021, and 2023. UMass is 1-2 in these games, but the UConn game was the Minutemen’s most-attended home game in all three years.
The series’ future could be in question with UMass’ move to the MAC in 2025, yet a permanent interruption seems unlikely.
UMass Welcomes BYU into Town
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Remember how I mentioned “big-time” opponents used to travel to Gillette Stadium to play UMass? BYU represented the end of an era for those games. In 2018, 14,082 fans (including me) saw UMass quietly close the door on their short history at Gillette Stadium with a 35-16 loss to BYU. The Minutemen moved the last game in their contract with BYU to McGuirk Alumni Stadium in 2019.
Like the USF game, BYU could not draw a solid turnout despite their national fanbase. Only 8,204 fans saw BYU easily defeat UMass 56-24, over 2,000 less than the total for UMass’ home game against Southern Illinois. The fans that did attend saw BYU race to a 49-0 halftime lead thanks to Zach Wilson’s 293 passing yards and four touchdowns and Cougar running back Jackson McChesney’s 228 yards on 15 carries. The two schools have not played since.
The Battle of the Bay State
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
From 1966-1982, UMass and Boston College played yearly, with the Minutemen hosting the Eagles in even-numbered years. UMass hosted Boston College nine times in those years, winning twice, in 1972 and 1978, their last two wins in the series.
UMass and Boston College played in 2014 and 2016 at Gillette Stadium in front of crowds of 30,479 and 25,112. UMass finally got to host Boston College again in 2021. In all, 12,118 fans saw Boston College defeat UMass in the first game in the series at McGuirk Alumni Stadium since 1982. Minutemen quarterback Brady Olson played admirably, throwing three touchdowns in a 45-28 loss to the Eagles. Surprisingly, more fans watched UMass host UConn than the UMass-BC game.
The Minutemen travel to Chestnut Hill next year for the last schedule meeting.
The Troops Invade Amherst
Danny Wild-Imagn Images
UMass hosted its first service academy when Army came to town in 2022. The visit was part of a yearly series dating back. UMass was supposed to host Army in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of that game.
The Black Knights continued its undefeated streak against the Minutemen with a 44-7 win. 10,119 fans saw the Black Knights run for 329 yards including 101 from quarterback Tyhier Tyler. UMass got its revenge next year with an upset victory on the Black Knights’ turf. Army’s move to the AAC forced the cancellation of several games in this once-budding rivalry, but Army does have scheduled visits to UMass in 2032 and 2036, so this Northeastern rivalry has a great chance of continuing in the future.
Missouri’s visit to McGuirk Alumni Stadium is unprecedented. Still, they join other nationally-relevant programs that have visited the cozy Western Massachusetts stadium. UMass has not fared well against past “big-time” opponents, but maybe that can change against a Missouri team fresh off a demoralizing blowout.