University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, September 11
Amherst, Mass.
3:30 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
28
vs
45
Boston College
Boston College Outlasts Massachusetts, 45-28
September 11, 2021 | Football
The Minutemen posted their highest scoring output against a Power 5 opponent since 2016.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football posted its highest scoring output against a Power 5 opponent since 2016, but fell short against Boston College, 45-28 in the 2021 home opener at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The loss leaves the Minutemen at 0-2, while the Eagles improve to 2-0.
Brady Olson threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns in his collegiate debut for a UMass team that recorded 335 yards of total offense on the day to produce its highest scoring output since the squad put up 28 at South Carolina on October 22, 2016. Ellis Merriweather rushed for 56 yards with a long of 32 while Kay'Ron Adams added 37 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Gerrell Johnson led the defense with 13 tackles, five solo, with Da'Shon Ross adding eight stops for the Minutemen defense that registered five TFLs on the day.
Olson recorded his first collegiate touchdown with 13:21 remaining in the third quarter to put the Minutemen on the board after they trailed 14-0 heading into the locker room for halftime. The freshman connected with Rico Arnold for a 56-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 14-7. Arnold finished with a pair of receptions for 85 yards and a score.
BC answered back with a pair of TDs on their next two drives to expand the lead to 28-7 before Javon Batten recovered a muffed punt at the one-yard line to set up an Adams touchdown run. The Eagles went on to recover a fumble for a touchdown on the ensuing punt after the Minutemen forced a three-and-out that brought the margin to 35-14.
The Minutemen responded with a five play, 50-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a 15-yard reception by Eric Collins for the score with 1:56 left in the third.
UMass stopped the Eagles from finding the end zone on their next drive and held them to a 27-yard Danny Longman field goal to bring the score to 38-21.
Olson's third and final touchdown of the afternoon capped off a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive as the freshman connected with Merriweather for a 14-yard strike with just over nine minutes remaining. The drive brought the Minutemen within 10 at 38-28 before BC's Travis Levy returned the kickoff 96-yards for a touchdown to bring it to a final 45-28.
The Minutemen are back in action at McGuirk Alumni Stadium Saturday when they welcome in Eastern Michigan for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
For complete coverage of the UMass football team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassFootball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
Brady Olson threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns in his collegiate debut for a UMass team that recorded 335 yards of total offense on the day to produce its highest scoring output since the squad put up 28 at South Carolina on October 22, 2016. Ellis Merriweather rushed for 56 yards with a long of 32 while Kay'Ron Adams added 37 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Gerrell Johnson led the defense with 13 tackles, five solo, with Da'Shon Ross adding eight stops for the Minutemen defense that registered five TFLs on the day.
Olson recorded his first collegiate touchdown with 13:21 remaining in the third quarter to put the Minutemen on the board after they trailed 14-0 heading into the locker room for halftime. The freshman connected with Rico Arnold for a 56-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 14-7. Arnold finished with a pair of receptions for 85 yards and a score.
BC answered back with a pair of TDs on their next two drives to expand the lead to 28-7 before Javon Batten recovered a muffed punt at the one-yard line to set up an Adams touchdown run. The Eagles went on to recover a fumble for a touchdown on the ensuing punt after the Minutemen forced a three-and-out that brought the margin to 35-14.
The Minutemen responded with a five play, 50-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a 15-yard reception by Eric Collins for the score with 1:56 left in the third.
UMass stopped the Eagles from finding the end zone on their next drive and held them to a 27-yard Danny Longman field goal to bring the score to 38-21.
Olson's third and final touchdown of the afternoon capped off a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive as the freshman connected with Merriweather for a 14-yard strike with just over nine minutes remaining. The drive brought the Minutemen within 10 at 38-28 before BC's Travis Levy returned the kickoff 96-yards for a touchdown to bring it to a final 45-28.
The Minutemen are back in action at McGuirk Alumni Stadium Saturday when they welcome in Eastern Michigan for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
For complete coverage of the UMass football team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassFootball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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