‣ CFB 2025 Regular Season, Week 12 - Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Massachusetts
(4-5, 2-4 SUN) Marshall Thundering Herd at #12 UMass Minutemen (9-0, 7-0 MAC)
MRSH | 7 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 18
MASS | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21
Sloppy game from offense saved by late interception, Massachusetts slides past Herd in snowy affair
For all intents and purposes, the UMass Minutemen have gotten through another week undefeated, sliding past Marshall, 21-18. However, the victory feels hollow at best after a disappointing performance from the offense nearly squandered that victory.
“I’ll have to treat the defense to something nice, because they really bailed us out on that one,” commented UMass quarterback Ahmad Haston after his three interception performance against the Marshall Thundering Herd. “We couldn’t get ourselves together at any point of the game. It’s something we desperately need to clean up before we shoot ourselves when it matters most.”
Three key turnovers hurt any momentum the offense was able to gather while the defense held a floundering Marshall offense in check for most of the game. Running back Jalen John showed his duality as a player - pounding the rock for one of his customary one-yard runs into the end zone to close the first half, and then escaping for a 60-yard dump off from quarterback Ahmad Haston to open the second half.
“I’ve seen my role diminish a bit last year, but I feel a lot stronger as a player this time around. My usefulness shows in all faculties while letting [C.J. Hester] do his thing.” commented John.
Haston would save face with a dagger score, linking up with Kezion Dia-Johnson later in the fourth quarter for the offense’s third score of the game. Marshall quarterback Cole Pennington would hit the UMass defense with a 73-yard bomb moments later, but the Minutemen successfully drained the clock afterwards.
UMass will host the UConn Huskies for their rivalry game next week.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
A.J. Turner, 1-yard run (Rece Verhoff kick) [5:31]
Jalen John, 2-yard run (Riley Moore kick) [2:45]2nd Quarter
Jalen John, 2-yard run (Riley Moore kick) [2:45]3rd Quarter
Jalen John, 60-yard pass from Ahmad Haston (Riley Moore kick) [8:20] Rece Verhoff, 46-yard field goal [0:28]4th Quarter
Kezion Dia-Johnson, 25-yard pass from Ahmad Haston (Riley Moore kick) [4:40] Antwaan Mays, 73-yard pass from Cole Pennington (2-PT conversion successful) [3:48]Player Stats
QB Ahmad Haston: 22-32, 267 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions QB Cole Pennington: 7-21, 128 passing yards, touchdown, interception, 6 carries, 15 rushing yards HB C.J. Hester: 20 carries, 56 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 40 receiving yards HB Jalen John: 4 carries, 14 rushing yards, touchdown, 4 receptions, 70 receiving yards, touchdown HB A.J. Turner: 20 carries, 97 rushing yards, touchdown WR T.Y. Harding: 10 receptions, 82 receiving yards TE Noah Staples: 2 receptions, 18 receiving yards WR Chuck Montgomery: 2 receptions, 18 receiving yards WR Antwaan Mays: 1 reception, 73 receiving yards, touchdown CB Jerrod Cameron: 7 tackles, tackle for loss DE Louce Julien: 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble CB Keith Sarkodieh: Tackle, interception SS Jadarius Green-McKnight: 9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, interception OLB Landyn Watson: 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks DT Su Angunloye: 3 tackles, 0.5 sack, interception
#22 Oregon looks to finish off their season with their heads held high, taking on #18 Washington
Penn State takes a mighty stumble down the rankings after being edged past, 21-20 by UCLA
#7 NC State looks to stay in the CFP bracket picture, set to take on #25 Florida State
Who will finish at the very top: #1 Ohio State or #2 Clemson?
QB Eli Holstein, Rs So » 15-28, 178 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, interception, 11 carries, 81 rushing yards, touchdown (L 34-24 vs #10 Miami)
WR Emari White (UTEP): (35-21 L vs #2 Clemson) - 12 receptions, 173 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
DE Mali Hamrick (North Carolina): (31-28 W vs Jacksonville State) - 7 tackles, 4 sacks
WR Jaden Dottin (Toledo): (36-35 L at Northern Illinois) - 4 receptions, 117 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
Shamar Porter, 54-yard pass from Nick Evers (Jordan Odihambo kick) [8:36]