University of Massachusets Athletics
September 21, 2026 | Football
William DePaepe earned Defensive Player of the Week, while Derek Morris collected Special Teams Player of the Week.
AMHERST, Mass. – Junior defensive lineman William DePaepe was named the Defensive Player of the Week and junior kicker Derek Morris tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week, as announced by the Mid-American Conference on Monday.
It marks the first career weekly MAC honor for DePaepe, the second for Morris and the fifth and sixth honors for the Massachusetts football program.
DePaepe led a UMass defense that shutdown Stonehill all day en route to a 36-14 win as the Minutemen improved to 3-0 on the season. DePaepe tied for the team lead with four solo tackles, while notching two sacks for 27 yards lost and he added a forced fumble. DePaepe and the UMass defense held Stonehill to a just 27 yards rushing on 28 attempts and a 3-for-16 mark on third down.
Morris made all three of his field goal attempts and was also 3-for-3 on PATs. He hit a 55-yard field goal to match his program record and set the mark for longest field goal in McGuirk Alumni stadium. He also had touchbacks on six of his eight kickoffs.
UMass opens Mid-American Conference (MAC) play against Sacramento State at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 26 (ESPN+). It will mark the first meeting between the two teams.
It marks the first career weekly MAC honor for DePaepe, the second for Morris and the fifth and sixth honors for the Massachusetts football program.
DePaepe led a UMass defense that shutdown Stonehill all day en route to a 36-14 win as the Minutemen improved to 3-0 on the season. DePaepe tied for the team lead with four solo tackles, while notching two sacks for 27 yards lost and he added a forced fumble. DePaepe and the UMass defense held Stonehill to a just 27 yards rushing on 28 attempts and a 3-for-16 mark on third down.
Morris made all three of his field goal attempts and was also 3-for-3 on PATs. He hit a 55-yard field goal to match his program record and set the mark for longest field goal in McGuirk Alumni stadium. He also had touchbacks on six of his eight kickoffs.
UMass opens Mid-American Conference (MAC) play against Sacramento State at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 26 (ESPN+). It will mark the first meeting between the two teams.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
PK
/ FootballFriday, October 23
Monday, October 19
Saturday, October 17
Monday, October 12