AMHERST – A good-sized homecoming crowd on a beautiful day, but still a disappointing result for the UMass football team on Saturday. The Minutemen (0-5, 0-1 MAC) fell to Western Michigan, 21-3, in their Mid-American Conference opener at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.

“Ultimately for us, we didn’t make enough plays,” UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said. “Penalties were absolutely backbreaking.” 24

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UMass had a touchdown nullified by penalty. Another pushed the Minutemen out of the red zone. Even with the first half miscues UMass only trailed 7-3 at halftime, but the Broncos eventually pulled away. Western Michigan (3-3, 2-0 MAC) relied on its running game with great success, accumulating 217 yards rushing. Former UMass coach Walt Bell calls plays for the Western Michigan offense.

“We c

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