Watch UMass Minutemen vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights live on BTN or stream the game on FOX One from SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT during CFB Week 1 of the 2026 college football season. UMass and Rutgers meet for the first time since 2019 and the sixth time overall. Rutgers leads the series 3-2 after rallying from an early 21-7 deficit to win their last meeting 48-21 at SHI Stadium. The 2026 matchup opens the season for both programs.

Where to Watch UMass Minutemen vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Live

How to Watch UMass vs Rutgers Without Cable

UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak returns to Piscataway after serving as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator from 2022 through 2024. He helped the Scarlet Knights reach back-to-back bowl games before taking over the Minutemen, giving the 2026 season opener an added coaching connection. Rutgers is also opening its season on a Thursday for the third straight year. You can stream UMass vs Rutgers live on FOX One. FOX One brings together live FOX College Football games, highlights, expert coverage, and live and on-demand FOX programming, all in one place. Start your 3-day free trial and stream on supported devices.

FOX + ESPN College Football Schedule 2026 — Week 1

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026
Week 1 — Watch UMass vs Rutgers — 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch UAB vs Illinois — 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
Week 1 — Watch Indiana State vs Purdue — 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Toledo vs Michigan State — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Fresno State vs USC — 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Week 1 — Watch North Texas vs Indiana — 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Ohio vs Nebraska — 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Ball State vs Ohio State — 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Boston College vs Cincinnati — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Marshall vs Penn State — 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Northern Illinois vs Iowa — 4:15 p.m. ET / 1:15 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Abilene Christian vs Texas Tech — 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Clemson vs LSU — 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Hampton vs Maryland — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch South Dakota State vs Northwestern — 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
Week 1 — Watch Central Michigan vs New Mexico — 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026
Week 1 — Watch Louisville vs Ole Miss — 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Rutgers holds a narrow 3–2 lead in its football series with UMass. The Minutemen won the first two meetings after the series began in 1967, but the Scarlet Knights have answered with three straight victories. Their most recent game came on Aug. 30, 2019, when Rutgers pulled away for a 48–21 win in Piscataway.