UMass Suffers Embarrassing Loss To FCS Bryant

First-year head coach Joe Harasymiak drops to 0-2.

(UMass Athletics)

AMHERST, Mass. - Where last week's season-opening loss to Temple may have been understandable, Saturday's loss to Bryant here at McGuirk Alumni Stadium was inexcusable.

Yes, the Minutemen came into the game short-handed and their hand became even shorter when starting quarterback Brandon Rose was lost for the game in the first quarter, but an inconsistent offense and a consistently terrible pass defense led to an embarrassing 27-26 loss to the FCS Bulldogs.

This is not the way first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak and his staff envisioned the start of a new era here.

UMass was in control for much of the first half, but took just a 20-10 into intermission after allowing Bryant to drive 80 yards in barely two minutes late in the second quarter.

The Minutemen had opportunities to put the game away in the third quarter, but again failed to do so, allowing Bryant to turn into a back-and-forth affair going into the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs actually took a lead, 24-23, into the final stanza.

A miracle pass, a record-breaking kick and an interception seemed like they would allow the Minutemen to escape with a victory, but the defense once again failed.

Trailing by one in the fourth, hope seemed lost as a premature snap on 3rd and 10 skidded across the turf, but backup quarterback Grant Jordan, in for the injured Brandon Rose, picked it up, evaded some defenders and heaved a rainbow to a wide open Donnie Gray for a 41-yard completion to the Bryant 14-yard-line.

However, a holding penalty and a sack pushed UMass back 21 yards and forced a 53-yard field goal attempt by kicker Derek Morris. Despite missing from 38 yards and an extra-point earlier in the day, Morris drilled the longest field goal in UMass history to give the Minutemen a 26-24 lead with four minutes to play.

It looked like UMass had sealed the game when safety DD Synder picked off Bryant quarterback Brennen Myer on the ensuing drive.

But Bryant quickly forced a UMass three-and-out as the Minutemen burned as much clock as possible while forcing the Bulldogs to use all of their remaining timeouts.

One minute and 45 seconds proved to be plenty for Bryant. Myer, who finished with 318 yards and three touchdowns, connected on passes of 20 yards, seven yards, nine yards and 25 yards before a defensive holding put the ball at the UMass 20.

Bryant picked up a first down on three runs and were able to run out the rest of the clock as theft set up a game-winning 25-yard field goal by Bryce Soli as time expired.

Rose left with an injury late in the first quarter and Jordan finished going 13-for-22 for 205 yards in the losing effort. Jordan added 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground while Brandon Hood added 39 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

A crucial holding call killed a UMass drive to start the fourth quarter.

On its opening drive to start the second half, Jordan led an eight-play, 55-yard drive, but ended with a missed 37-yard field goal by Morris.

Bryant answered with a five-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 43-yard touchdown pass from Myer to Elijah Elliott to cut UMass’ lead to 20-17.

The teams traded punts before UMass went on a seven-play, 44-yard drive. But after getting a 1st-and-goal from the Bryant 7-yard line, the Minutemen were forced to settle for a 25-yard field goal that punching its way to the red zone inside the 10-yard line, thanks to three-straight completions by Jordan, the Minuteman offense stalled and settled for a 25-yard field goal that stretched the lead to 23-17.

However on the second play of the ensuing drive, Bryant torched the UMass secondary once again, this time with a 72-yard touchdown pass from Myer to Zyheem Collick. The extra point gave Bryant its first lead, 24-23 with less than a minute to play in the third quarter.

UMass was outgained 399-358 in total yards and was penalized nine times for 98 yards. They did manage to pick off Myer twice, but Jordan had an interception of his own.

Jordan completed just two passes in the first half, but they were important ones, including a 50-yard bomb to Jacquon Gibson.

The first quarter was lackluster until linebacker Tyler Martin broke through with a pick-six to put the Minuteman up 6-0 with 4:04 remaining in the quarter. However, Morris missed the extra point.

After Rose went to the medical tent before UMass’ final drive of the quarter, Jordan subbed in for him and led UMass on an eight-play, 61-yard touchdown drive.

After Jordan converted to Jake McConnachie on a pivotal third-and-nine throw, Hood took the ball into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown run. Morris made the extra point to give UMass a 13-0 lead with 13 minutes to go before the half.

On its next possession, Bryant drove 50 yards on nine plays to score a field goal, cutting the lead to 13-3 with nine minutes left in the half.

Jordan was picked off on the first play of the next drive for UMass, however, the UMass defense forced them to attempt a 47-yard field goal, which Bryant missed. UMass took over on its own 30-yard line.

On its next drive, Jordan led UMass on a seven-play, 70-yard drive, highlighted by the 50-yard bomb to Gibson and a nifty 5-yard touchdown run by the quarterback. The extra point by Morrison was good to extend the lead to 20-3.

UMass was poised to take a three-score lead into the half; however, it allowed Bryant to drive 69 yards on 11 plays, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass from Myer to Collick. This was the final score before halftime, cutting the lead to 20-10.

UMass travels to Iowa next week.

Your one-stop-shop for all your sports marketing needs… Owned and Operated by UMASS Grads.

We specialize in providing top-quality marketing & printing services for coaches, athletic directors, and sports marketing professionals.

Get Fan Ready!