WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) has announced the preseason polls entering the 2026 season and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth was selected by the conference's coaches in a tie for the top spot to claim the MASCAC title.
The Corsairs – under the direction of fourth-year head coach Josh Sylvester – earned four first place votes for 59 points to tie with Framingham State in this year's poll. In 2025, the squad finished with a 6-4 overall record, going 6-3 in conference play.
UMass Dartmouth posted a perfect 9-0 regular season record in 2024, capturing their third-straight MASCAC Regular Season title. The squad advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Tournament – the third overall appearance in program history and the first time in the Second Round.
In 2023, the squad finished with a 7-1 conference record, finishing in a three-way tie for the top spot and capturing their second-straight MASCAC Regular Season title. UMass Dartmouth advanced to the New England Bowl, concluding their season with a tough loss to Western New England.
In 2022, the Corsairs finished a perfect 8-0 to earn their first-ever MASCAC Regular Season title to advance to the NCAA Division III Football Tournament for the second time in program history – and the first since 2002.
UMass Dartmouth – as a team – were 20th in Division III in passing yards allowed during the 2025 season, surrendering 155.8 yards per contest. The Corsairs also ranked seventh in 3rd Down Conversion Percentage Defense (.280), second in Kickoff Return Defense (10.58), 29th in Total Defense (271.9) and 38th in Red Zone Defense (.686).
Among the MASCAC, the Corsairs ranked first in five different categories. In addition to leading the way in 3rd Down Conversion Percentage and Kickoff Return Defense, the Corsairs were tops in First Downs Offense (227), Rushing Offense (224.3) and Total Offense (392.4).
Individually, the Corsairs were paced by multiple outstanding efforts, including nationally ranked efforts from 11 different players. Leading the charge this year will be senior running back
Mekhi Wilson, who led the MASCAC in rushing yards with 1,294 – which was 452 yards ahead of second place in the conference. With 214 carries, he averaged 129.4 yards per contest – which also ranked first among the conference's best. His 18 rushing touchdowns on the season were also a MASCAC-high – finishing with seven more than second place – while not fumbling the ball at all during the 2025 season.
A 2026 D3football.com Preseason All-America Third Team selection, Wilson ranked eighth overall in Division III in rushing yards per game and was ninth in rushing touchdowns. He was 10th in scoring (11.4 points per game), 12th in total rushing yards, 13th in total touchdowns (19), 16th in total points scored, 12th in scoring (11.4), total touchdowns (19) and total points scored (114), 24th in all-purpose yards (141.1) and 30th in rushing yards per carry (6.05).
Back for the UMass Dartmouth receiving core is sophomore
Jayden Francois, who posted 495 yards on 29 receptions last season, averaging 54.5 yards per game. He finished the season ranking second on the team in receiving touchdowns with three.
The defense returns senior defensive back and captain
Xavier Lopes, who recorded eight pass breakups during the 2025 season. The All-MASCAC First Team selection also recorded three interceptions, adding 30.0 tackles, including 18 solo through 10 games played.
Senior linebacker
Owen Dunker – an All-MASCAC Second Team selection – led the Corsairs defense with 65.0 total tackles over 10 games. He amassed team-high's in both solo (30) and assisted (35) with eight tackles coming at a loss of 38 yards. Dunker also posted a team-best 3.0 sacks for a loss of 20 yards with four pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
The Corsairs tied with the Rams of Framingham State (59 points – four first place votes), who finished in a three-way tie for first, earning the conference's automatic qualifying spot into the NCAA Tournament. FSU went 7-4 overall, falling to LaGrange in the NCAA Tournament by a 24-21 score. Grabbing third spot in the Preseason Poll with 46 points was Bridgewater State, while Plymouth State was fourth with 44 points and one first place vote. Mass. Maritime (42), Worcester State (27), Westfield State (22), Fitchburg State (16) and Dean (9) rounded out the rest of the poll.
UMass Dartmouth opens their 2026 season on the road on Friday, September 4 with a 7pm game against Salve Regina University on Cressy Field.
