{
  "id": 5476381,
  "title": "Former Virginia Tech QB Pop Watson leads new team to shocking upset",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/former-virginia-tech-qb-pop-watson-leads-new-team-to-shocking-upset",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T02:53:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/former-virginia-tech-qb-pop-025326445.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 3: In an unexpected turn of events, former Virginia Tech quarterback William \"Pop\" Watson III led his new team, the Massachusetts Minutemen, to a shocking victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. This remarkable feat occurred on September 3, 2026, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Watson, who spent three seasons at Virginia Tech, transferred to UMass after the departure of coach Brent Pry, who later joined Virginia Tech as defensive coordinator under new head coach James Franklin. Despite being a redshirted freshman in 2023, Watson immediately made an impact, completing 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the game, while also contributing 40 yards on the ground. The Minutemen's victory, a 21-7 win over the Scarlet Knights, was a turning point for both teams, as Virginia Tech fans expressed support for Watson and UMass, recognizing that the Hokies were in a stronger position under Franklin's leadership.",
  "summary": "What a debut for Pop Watson with his new school.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Virginia Tech QB Pop Watson leads Massachusetts Minutemen.",
    "Shocking 21-7 upset over Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 3, 2026.",
    "Watson made immediate impact with 19/22 completions and 3 TDs."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Last-second blocked field goal leads Colorado, coach Deion Sanders to dramatic 14-13 win over Georgia Tech in opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/last-second-blocked-field-goal-leads-colorado-coach-deion-sanders-to",
        "published": "2026-09-04T04:17:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}