Pop Watson has UMass football buzzing heading into conference play

Whether he’s moving his legs to pick up a first down, his arm to throw a deep ball or his mouth to tell fans at the UMass spring game in April that the Minutemen were going to “(Expletive) the MAC (conference)” this fall, the Springfield native always takes the initiative. In his first game back in Western Massachusetts since he was a star at Springfield Central High School, Watson did what he always does Saturday against Sacred Heart: He set the tone. On the team’s second play of the game, Watson dropped back and uncorked a deep-ball touchdown to T.Y. Harding. One week later, Watson sprinted downfield and served as a lead blocker on a touchdown run against Stonehill. On the heels of the Minutemen’s whirlwind first three weeks of the season, the team is undefeated and received votes in the latest coaches poll. UMass starts conference play this week against Sacramento State, a program that is 1-3 overall, with its lone win coming against Mississippi Valley State. Its two losses have come against North Dakota State and Fresno State in one-sided games in back-to-back weeks. Kickoff is 9 p.m. Saturday night. Through three weeks, Watson has been the leader and center of gravity for the program. The Springfield native has thrown five touchdowns and one interception for 509 yards through the team’s first three games. “I’m comfortable in it,” Watson said Aug.

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