Watson paces UMass in 36-14 win over Stonehill to get Minutemen to 3-0 for first time since ’07

William Watson III led UMass to a decisive 36-14 victory over Stonehill on Saturday, securing the Minutemen's first-ever 3-0 start since joining the Bowl Subdivision in 2011. The win came after a strong first drive for the home team, which ended with a fumble by Stonehill. Derek Morris kicked a 30-yard field goal early in the game, giving UMass an early lead.

Stonehill managed to respond with a touchdown, but UMass quickly regained the lead when T.Y. Harding scored a 56-yard touchdown on a five-play, 72-yard drive. Morris added another field goal to extend the margin to 13-7. In the fourth quarter, Watson III scored a one-yard touchdown run and then threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Harding, giving UMass a 36-7 lead.

Despite a scoreless second half, Stonehill's next drive resulted in another touchdown, but it was not enough to overcome the Minutemen. UMass will now head to the west coast to face Sacramento State as they begin Mid-American Conference play.