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Turnovers, kicking game among keys as MU meets Eagles  Brett Gabbert threw for nearly 300 yards and two TDs against Toledo. (MVSmith/MRO file) By MIKE SMITH
Eastern Michigan seeks its fourth straight win, and the Miami RedHawks chase a MAC win Saturday when the two teams meet in Ypsilanti. The Eagles are one of two MAC teams with four wins in 2024, and MU lost to the other team (Toledo) last week. As was the case last week, there is a "good offense versus good defense" challenge to the matchup. Although the RedHawks' "D" hasn't performed to 2023 levels, it still ranks fifth among MAC teams in scoring defense after facing a very tough schedule through five outings. EMU, meanwhile, ranks second in scoring (32.4 ppg), one spot behind Toledo. The RedHawks and Eagles have battled . . . Early issues set stage for Miami loss Toledo passing game carries the day  By MIKE SMITH
TOLEDO, OH -- Tucker Gleason completed 27 of 38 pass attempts totaling 318 yards with two TDs to lead Toledo (4-1, 1-0 MAC) past Miami (1-4, 0-1 MAC) 30-20 Saturday at the Glass Bowl. It was a rematch of last year's Mid-American Conference title game, as well as a contest fielding the preseason favorites to win a 2024 title. Toledo has looked the part, registering four wins before falling two weeks ago at Western Kentucky. The Rockets had a bye week last week, and came ready to play before a large homecoming crowd. Miami, meanwhile, has struggled against a tough non-conference schedule and needed overtime last Saturday to defeat UMass and pick up its first win of 2024. Coach Chuck Martin noted earlier this week his RedHawks "are pretty beat up right now." Toledo got off to a quick start, scoring two straight touchdowns -- both related to Miami special teams breakdowns. Six plays into its first drive, Miami . . . Rockets, RedHawks square off in early matchup Turnovers, pass defense among keys  LB Adam Trick gets past a UMass lineman. (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
It didn't come easy, but the Miami RedHawks picked up their first win of 2024 last week when they edged UMass 23-20 in overtime. How close was the outcome? With the scored tied 20-20 and UMass closing in on Ty Wise and Kobe Hilton got a third down stop on C.J. Hester. That brought up fourth-and-one. Instead of a touchdown or field goal with almost no time left, the Minutemen "settled" for a go-ahead field goal leaving 40 seconds. Miami 's offense . . . Kicking, run game, Davis among Monday topics  By MIKE SMITH
"Hero or Zero" That has long been Dom Dzioban's take on a kickers fate. Results dictate which crown a kicker wears on a given day. You work toward the former, but have to roll with the latter Miami football head coach Chuck Martin noted Dzioban told him about his "Hero or Zero" outlook back when Martin was scouting the Frankfort, Illinois kicker. Dzioban was outstanding in high school, hitting 18 of 20 field goals ands 50 of 51 PATs for a Lincoln Way East High School team that went 14-0 and won the state championship in his senior year. It was "crazy good" for high school, but Martin was particularly impressed with the kicker's mindset. It projected as a huge asset for somebody kicking under pressure. Dzioban faced that pressure situation -- twice -- Saturday, and he came through both times. The first was a Miami career-high 47-yard field goal as time expired. That tied Miami . . . Clutch kicks lift RedHawks to homecoming win  Alec Bevelhimer holds as Dom Dzioban kicks one of his three field goals. (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Dom Dzioban's time had come. After waiting in the wings behind 2023 Lou Groza Award winner Graham Nicholson, Dzioban stepped on center stage in the closing moments of Miami's homecoming tilt against UMass Saturday at Yager Stadium. Not only did he save the Miami moment with a game-tying 47-yard field goal as time expired, he followed that with a 43-yard boot in overtime to seal a 23-20 come-from-behind victory. Miami's second overtime win in two years (UC last year) was its first victory of 2024 ... and it came very close to slipping away on a rainy day when UMass quarterback Taisun Phommachanh put his team in a position to win with 10 fourth quarter points. CJ Hester's 1-yard run at 8:11 tied the . . . RedHawks battle future MAC member UMass  By MIKE SMITH
Three games into the Miami RedHawks 2024 season, MANY questions remain. Most of them are unanswered due to the level of opposition. The RedHawks may be 0-3, but those losses were to: a Big 10 team, a Big 12 team and an independent that ranked as high as No. 5 earlier this year. As much as the statistics to date speak for themselves, they may or may not be indicative of the future. Of course, it is not like one game against a 1-3 UMass team is going to provide all the answers. However, if the RedHawks are still strugging in certain areas Saturday, there will be hand-wringing. Among the chief concerns among Miami fans is the offense. MU has scored just two touchdowns this season. Both came in the second half against Cincinnati and both were passing scores. Not surprisingly, the RedHawks are last among MAC teams in scoring (8.3 ppg). Toledo -- next week's opponent -- is first with an average of 37.3 ppg. No doubt related to questions regarding . . . Third down, redzone among Miami 'sore spots'  By MIKE SMITH
Miami's third down struggles was one of the key issues Miami head coach Chuck Martin discussed at Monday's weekly press conference. The RedHawks were 2 of 12 on third down against Notre Dame, cutting short numerous drives. When MU did make it to the Irish redzone, the offense also sputtered. The result was Miami failing to score a touchdown for the second time in three games - albeit against three high level opponents. "Third down was not good," Martin said "They kind of suffocated us on third down, but we have to be better than 2 of 12 on third down if we want to win games." Ironically, the RedHawks arguably had ... Early success not enough as MU falls to Irish ND run game, defense turn game in Irish favor  By MIKE SMITH
NOTRE DAME, IN -- Irish Quarterback Riley Leonard produced three touchdowns while the Notre Dame defense stifled Miami's offense much of the day in a 28-3 ND win Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium. Miami's defense, which forced two turnovers on the day, kept ND off the scoreboard until late in the second quarter. Miami (0-3) scored the game's first points on a 26-yard Dom Dzioban field goal at 12:32 of the period. However, Notre Dame struck for two touchdowns in the final 3:33 for a 14-3 halftime lead. The Irish maintained momentum in the second half. Although they . . . Limiting Irish run game part of Miami challenge  By MIKE SMITH
The Miami RedHawks continue their run through a non-conference gauntlet Saturday when they visit No. 17 Notre Dame. While MU is coming off a very discouraging loss to rival Cincinnati in the Battle for the Victory Bell last week, it was perhaps fortuitous Miami didn't meet the Irish last week. Purdue did meet the Irish and were pummeled at Ross-Ade Stadium 66-7. It got ugly, particularly in the first half as an angry ND team outscored the hosts 42-0. Who can say how much of that owed to Irish frustrations over losing -- at home -- to Northern Illinois the previous week. Purdue was ranked 18th (last) in a USA Today preseason poll. Still, Saturday's lopsided victory and a Week One road win over then-No. 20 Texas A&M speak to ND's foundation of talent. "They are insanely . . . Martin sees Irish as biggest challenge yet Also notes chance to shine on 'awesome' stage  By MIKE SMITH
You might say there is a bit of "Rudy" in Miami head coach Chuck Martin. He grew up in a midwest Notre Dame football-loving family. From just about as far back as he can remember, Fighting Irish games were a family staple, so he would watch them often -- live if possible and/or highlights (such as Harry Kalas-narrated replays on Sunday mornings) on other occasions. Rudy Ruettiger got his own Irish moment when he made it onto the field for for three plays in the final home game of his senior season. A sack on the final play put him in the record book. Martin, meanwhile, eventually . . . |
Editor-Publisher Mike SmithMike grew up in Mid-American Conference football and basketball territory and returned there after military service. He has been covering MAC football and men's basketball for much of the last several decades. 
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