AMHERST — Oh, so close.

That has certainly been the theme for this year’s UMass football team. And it was again, one final time on Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium as the Minutemen fell 47-42 to UConn – which played spoiler to UMass’ senior day – in the season finale.

UMass entered the second half with a 28-27 lead, and it had the ball looking to add to that advantage at the UConn 47-yard line following a Huskies turnover on downs – thanks to the Minutemen holding strong against a fake punt. But an abysmal third quarter – one where UMass gained just 14 yards and failed to pick up a first down – plagued the hosts, as UConn took a two-possession lead (40-28) early in the fourth quarter and never squandered it.

UMass interim head coach Shane Montgomery wrapped up his short stint in charge with an 0-2 mark following losses to Georgia and UConn. The Minutemen finished their season 2-10 with no wins over FBS opponents.

“We made some strides, and we had a lot of close games, but you ultimately get judged by wins and losses, and it wasn't where we wanted this year,” Montgomery said. “But I was really proud of the way that they battled all game... So I feel for the guys playing their last game. Most of them will want to have a chance to play at the next level, maybe a few of them will get a chance, but for most of these guys [today] will be the last game they ever played. So that's a tough day, but I appreciate what they did and the effort that they gave us – not only last two weeks as I took over, but for the entire year.”

The Minutemen coughed up chunk plays to UConn’s offense throughout the game, and that started on the very first play the Huskies ran. Louis Hansen took a pass from UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano and dashed 55 yards to the house after a UMass punt to open the contest.

Freshman quarterback AJ Hairston and the Minutemen did respond with 14 unanswered points. Jacquon Gibson pranced in from 19 yards out after catching a slant from Hairston, and Jakobie Keeney-James hauled in a similar pass cutting across the field as the rookie QB delivered a perfect throw while getting hit. That one went for 29 yards and UMass went ahead 14-7. But on the ensuing kickoff, UConn struck with another big play. Mel Brown returned the kick 96 yards to the house to knot it up at 14.

“You want to make some difference in the special teams, but really you just want to be sound, and you don't want to give up big plays,” said Montgomery. “And we had just grabbed the lead at 14-7 and we give up the kickoff return.”

The teams continued to trade scores in the second quarter, with the Huskies jumping ahead 21-14 following a Cam Edwards 3-yard touchdown run. But the Minutemen responded two possessions later, as an Arsheen Jiles interception set UMass up with tremendous field position midway through the second quarter. Dominick Mazotti hauled in his first touchdown with the Minutemen four plays later, a 1-yard score from Hairston – his third TD toss of the first half.

UConn kicker Chris Freeman nailed a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-21 before UMass regained the lead (28-24) on a Jalen John 15-yard house call. Freeman added an impressive 53-yarder in the final seconds for the Huskies and UMass took a 28-27 lead to the locker room.

“In the first half, we were going around pretty good,” Montgomery said. “We were having a lot of success. But that's just, that's the way football is. You start to make some plays, you get the momentum, and then the momentum shifts, and you're trying to get it back. And it's just, sometimes, it's tough to get back.”

It indeed was tough for UMass to get it back in the third quarter, as UConn didn’t allow the Minutemen to move the sticks one time. Jasaiah Gathings found paydirt on a spectacular, spinning catch off a 29-yard, back-shoulder throw from Fagnano for the frame’s lone score. Edwards punched in his second TD of the afternoon on UConn’s next drive after UMass’ fourth straight three-and-out, and the Huskies grabbed a 40-28 edge.

Hairston left the game due to injury early in the fourth quarter, which forced the Minutemen’s other freshman QB, Ahmad Haston, into the game. Haston raced 32 yards down to UConn’s 10-yard line, setting up a CJ Hester 8-yard touchdown. Jacob Lurie added the extra point to make it 40-35 with 7 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the game.

Montgomery was pleased with the Minutemen’s offensive execution outside of the third quarter. UMass had 390 total yards, including another strong day on the ground – rushing for 184.

“They went up two scores, we answered again,” Montgomery said. “I'm proud of the guys, because they could have just packed it in and said, ‘We're down two scores.’ [UConn has] a very good run defense. They're only giving up like 130 [yards] per game. And the other thing was, we did a pretty good job [in the red zone]. They were a really good red zone defense. They were one of the top red zone defenses in the country as far as giving up touchdowns.”

Durrell Robinson capped off UConn’s dagger of a drive, where the Huskies marched 78 yards in nine plays – amassing five minutes of game clock. UMass had to score two touchdowns in just over two minutes to come back and win.

Freshman Will Perry did lead the Minutemen down the field, going an impressive 7-for-11 for 72 yards and a 7-yard scoring strike to T.Y. Harding with 36 seconds left. Perry came in because Hairston went down and Haston was limited throwing the football do to an injury sustained earlier this season.

The ensuing onside kick was recovered by UConn, and the Huskies won their third straight game over UMass.

The Minutemen now continue their search for a new head coach as they gear up to join the MAC in 2025.