Rutgers hosts UMass for 2026 college football season opener

Rutgers opens the 2026 college football season on Thursday, September 3, hosting UMass at SHI Stadium. The game features a reunion for Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, who will face his former defensive coordinator and current UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak. Rutgers is entering the contest following a 5-7 record last season, while UMass looks to improve after finishing its previous campaign with an 0-12 mark. The Scarlet Knights are set to start transfer quarterback Dylan Lonergan, who secured the starting position following a competition during training camp. The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m., will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with commentary provided by Jason Horowitz, Anthony Herron, and sideline reporter Dannie Rogers. This matchup serves as the first regular-season test for a defensive unit undergoing significant personnel changes under new coordinator Travis Johansen.

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