AMHERST, Mass. - Pop Watson entered the room after Saturday’s game so soon after Joe Harasymiak wrapped up his press conference that it wasn’t immediately clear whether the UMass quarterback had been asked by the Sports Information Department to take questions from reporters or whether he simply assumed it was his duty to do so after a loss.
For the record, Watson was asked. But his answers made it obvious that he also believed it was his responsibility, especially after a loss.
Talk to anybody who has been around the Minutemen for the last year and you’ll learn that Watson’s off-field leadership has been just as important to UMass’ hot start in 2026 as anything Watson has done on the field.
And now that UMass’ four-game win streak to start the season was snapped by Eastern Michigan here on Saturday, Watson’s leadership will be more critical than ever. That role began immediately after the 38-14 defeat.
“The word we used in the locker room today was responding,” said Watson, who came to the press conference directly from that locker room.
“I think maybe we let a little complacency leak into the locker room and I think that starts with me. So now this week, it’s about responding.”
Part of being a leader is accepting responsibility, something Watson seems to embrace.
“Going out there, cleaning up all the mistakes, all the penalties we had once again, that’s my fault,” he said, sounding like the son of a coach he’s always been.
“I got to play better for these guys so there’s no holding penalties. I can’t be doing too much in the pocket and we’re just going to be better. So we’re just going to respond this week.”
Harasymiak said Watson’s interception is the kind of thing you have to expect at times with a quarterback who is such a playmaker, but Watson wasn’t having any of that.
“That’s a BS throw,” he said of his pick. “You’re never supposed to throw across your body. That’s a tale as old as time right there.
“That’s all my fault once again. I just got to play better for these guys around me.”
Meanwhile, Watson is quick to dish out credit to others like the point guard he always was on the basketball court.
Asked about the touchdown pass he threw to tight end Max Dowling after shedding tackles and moving around in the pocket, he pointed to Dowling and the offensive line.
“Tight end made a play on the ball,” said Watson. “He was wide open. All you got to do is not miss. Gave him the ball. He did the rest for me. So that’s a great play by him and the whole line blocking.”
For the first time this season, the Minutemen will spend a week responding to a loss. Watson already knows what he wants that response to look like.
“I’m ready to watch the film on this, get better, clean up all the mistakes and attack Miami, Ohio,” he said.
After a sellout against Eastern Michigan, UMass will be back at McGuirk Alumni Stadium next Saturday to host Miami (Ohio) for Homecoming.
“It was great to see the fans out there. I apologize for the way we performed. Hopefully, y’all can show out again next week.”
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