LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Taisun Phommachanh handed for 192 yards and added a speeding touchdown, Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and UMass defeated Fresh Mexico Issue 41-30 in a season opener on Saturday night, snapping a 24-sport avenue losing scamper.

The Minutemen, who closing received on the avenue in Week 9 of the 2018 season in opposition to UConn, showed flashes of brilliance on offense and closed the ranking with a dominant fourth quarter.

Phommachanh ran 26 yards on a fourth-and-seven play midway thru the fourth to position of residing up a 10-yard touchdown toddle by Lynch-Adams that gave the Minutemen a 10-point lead. On Fresh Mexico Issue’s ensuing possession, Isaiah Rutherford intercepted a pass and returned it 55 yards to present UMass a 34-17 advantage with 6:40 final.

UMass closing received a season opener on the avenue in opposition to an FBS opponent in 1973 in opposition to Rutgers, per ESPN Stats & Files study.

The support-to-support touchdowns came after Fresh Mexico Issue drew within 20-17 on a 42-yard deep ball from Diego Pavia to Trent Hudson, who made a leaping seize in entrance of a teammate for the rating. Fresh Mexico Issue connected on one other deep route, Pavia throwing 40 yards to Jordin Parker to originate it 34-24 with 4:35 final.

UMass added a 21-yard touchdown toddle by Lynch-Adams two performs after a fumble by Pavia that used to be recovered by Billy Wooden at the NMSU 24.

Fresh Mexico Issue added a 1-yard scoring pass from Pavia to Hudson on the closing play.

Phommachanh, a transfer who beforehand played at Georgia Tech and Clemson, accomplished 10 of 17 passes for 192 yards and added 92 yards on the bottom.

Pavia went 16-for-27 passing for 248 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Fresh Mexico Issue’s Monte Watkins, a sprinter on the MSU tune group, scampered 80 yards for a touchdown that tied the rating at 7 within the second quarter. Watkins accomplished with 95 yards speeding on two carries.

UMass has a revamped roster that entails 15 transfers after going 1-11 closing season.

Fresh Mexico Issue used to be coming off a 7-6 season in 2022 that integrated a 24-19 victory over Bowling Green within the Swiftly Lane Bowl.

The Related Press contributed to this list.