Former Clemson QB leads team to first season-opening FBS win since 1984

Taisun Phommachanh is getting another chance to become a star after 3 years at Clemson and this past season at Georgia Tech.

Phommachanh led the UMass Minutemen to a 41-20 road win over New Mexico State on Saturday. It is the program’s first win versus an FBS program in a season-opener since 1984.

Phommachanh was a playmaker in the air and the ground. He completed 10-of-17 of his passes for 192 yards and a quarterback rating of 69.2. He was the team’s leading rusher by rushing for 96 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Here's a 👀 at Phommachanh's touchdown!#Flagship 🚩 pic.twitter.com/MGHN75q9Uy

— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 27, 2023

If you haven’t been paying close attention UMass’ QB is a transfer from Clemson and he kinda looks tonight like a Clemson recruit dropped into a UMass uniform.
Pretty good athlete.

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) August 27, 2023

Phommachanh originally went to Clemson as a 4-star prospect in the 2019 national recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He was a third-string quarterback in the last 2 years of Trevor Lawrence’s Clemson career and a backup quarterback to D.J. Uiagalelei in 2021. He transferred to Georgia Tech for the 2022 season where he was the fourth-string quarterback.

Since it became an FBS program in 2012, UMass has accumulated an overall record of 23-103. Phommachanh has already matched 6 of UMass’ previous seasons since 2012.