{
  "id": 7008330,
  "title": "T.Y. Harding gets UMass off to fast start as Minutemen win consecutive games for 1st time since 2023",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/t-y-harding-gets-umass-off-to-fast-start-as-minutemen-win-consecutive",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-12T22:38:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/t-y-harding-gets-umass-223813804.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "T.Y. Harding ignited UMass' season with impressive performances in their first two games, leading the Minutemen to back-to-back wins for the first time since 2023. His 49-yard opening-minute touchdown pass set the tone, followed by his electrifying 82-yard punt-return touchdown that electrified the crowd.\n\nUMass' resurgence began in their opener, ending a 16-game losing streak with a 37-21 victory over Rutgers. The win followed a 37-21 triumph over Sacred Heart, marking their first consecutive wins since 2023.\n\nWilliam Watson III was instrumental, hooking up with Harding on the crucial play and contributing 152 passing yards and a touchdown. Harding then rushed for his second score just over three minutes later, as Watson completed 9 of 10 passes for 152 yards. Jahmad Harmon added a 34-yard interception touchdown, giving UMass a 37-0 lead in the second half. Harmon's second interception touchdown sealed the victory.\n\nReece Adkins provided a rushing touchdown, but the Pioneers only managed one score on Cole Snider's 1-yard run late in the final quarter.\n\nUMass now looks ahead to their next Coastal Athletic Association matchup against Elon next Saturday, before hosting Stonehill at home the following Saturday.",
  "summary": "T.Y. Harding scored on a 49-yard reception in the opening minute, added an 82-yard punt-return touchdown soon after and Massachusetts defeated Sacred Heart 37-10 on Saturday, the first back-to-back wins for the Minutemen since 2023. UMass (2-0) snapped a 16-game losing streak with a 37-21 win over Rutgers of the Big Ten in its opener and followed up with the easy victory over the FCS Pioneers…",
  "key_points": [
    "T.Y. Harding leads UMass to back-to-back wins since 2023",
    "Harding scores two touchdowns in first two games",
    "Minutemen end 16-game losing streak with consecutive wins"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "T.Y. Harding gets UMass off to fast start as Minutemen win consecutive games for 1st time since 2023",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/t-y-harding-gets-umass-off-to-fast-start-as-minutemen-win-consecutive-7012321",
        "published": "2026-09-12T22:42:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}