UMass has won nine home openers in a row, and just once in the last 13 years (to William & Mary in 2001).
Overall in season openers, UMass has won eight of its last nine, with the lone loss coming in 2009 at FBS school Kansas State, 21-17.
In 128 all-time season openers, UMass is now 60-57-11 in its first game of the season.
Jonathan Hernandez had his third-career 100-yard rushing game. The first two came in 2009: 140 vs. Stony Brook and 166 vs. New Hampshire.
Anthony Nelson had his seventh-career receiving career on a 36-yard catch in the second quarter. He had six at Hofstra, four in 2009.
John Griffin scored two TDs, to give him nine in his career. He scored on a 5-yard rush in the fourth a 4-yard rush in the second quarter. He had seven at Northeastern, five in 2009.
R-Freshman Rob Blanchflower had his first career catch on a reception late in the first quarter, a gain nine yards with a hurdle at the end.
The crowd of 10,072 was the 17th time since 2005 that UMass had drawn a crowd of more than 10,000.
True freshman Stanley Andre played in the season opener. It marks the third year in a row UMass has played a true freshman linebacker. In 2008, Tyler Holmes played followed by Perry McIntyre in 2009.
The first four plays of the game for UMass went to senior transfers: three runs by John Griffin (from Northeastern) and one pass to Anthony Nelson (Hofstra).
For UMass, 17 players made their debuts in maroon and white.
