Football Loses to UMass
- Rutgers lost its opener 37-21 to UMass despite receiver KJ Duff producing career highs of nine catches, 196 yards and three touchdowns.
- Rutgers allowed 37 points at home and recorded only one cited sack before a road game at Boston College, leaving the defense as the immediate concern after Week 1.
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Rutgers Breakout Player Candidates for season opener against UMass
- Toledo transfer Malachi Davis is expected to address a Rutgers pass rush that produced only 11 sacks in 2025; he arrives after recording 5.5 sacks last season and gets a favorable first matchup against UMass.
- Jourdin Houston has emerged from an injury-limited freshman season as the likely starting slot receiver and a potential high-volume target for Dylan Lonergan after winning the offense's most-improved award in spring.
- Louisiana Tech transfer Clay Thevenin is the primary complement to Antwan Raymond and can contribute as a receiver; Rutgers' large projected advantage over UMass should create an early opportunity to test the backfield rotation.
- Rice transfer Ty Morris is expected to stabilize a linebacker unit that contributed to Rutgers' recent defensive problems; the former captain brings 88 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks from 2025.
- Moshood Giwa appears positioned to claim a starting tackle role after a full developmental offseason under new line coach Jim Turner, with the UMass opener offering a manageable first test against a modest pass rush.
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