MIAMI FOOTBALL

Holskey, Miami O-line focused on success

Reid Holskey has been with the RedHawks program since 2020. (MVSmith/MRO)

Part 1 of 2

By MIKE SMITH
With each passing day, Reid Holskey and the Miami RedHawks draw closer to their 2024 football season opener at Northwestern (Big Ten). Following that contest, MU gets a bye week before jumping right back into the frying pan for battles against arch-rival Cincinnati (Big 12) and national power Notre Dame.

Daunting as it may be to some, the veteran Holskey also sees it as a chance to shine -- personally and as a team.

"For me, it's exciting. I'm always a guy that's hungry to go against great competition ... Those are the games we look forward to. Those are the games where we want to showcase who we are."

By now, Miami and . . . 

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. . . other MAC teams are accustomed to the "underdog" label when meeting Power Four opponents. However, Holskey said that at least with older players, "We're not going just to play. We're going to win."

No doubt, the offensive line will be an important part of Miami's challenge, and most of last year's front line rotation returns. So does quarterback Brett Gabbert.

Although injuries have limited him to 39 starts at quarterback. this is Gabbert's sixth campaign in a RedHawk uniform, He brings a wealth of experience in the system. That's another plus for the line. 

"Brett is one of those true field general quarterbacks that notices (a lot) of things. He's checking things (and) letting us know," Holskey said. "It makes it easier on us (to deal) with pressures and blitzes and that sort of thing." 

He also lauded Gabbert's competitive nature. 
"He's one of the most competitive guys (I know), ... and that kind of thing is contagious for us. It is easy to play for those guys that are super competitive."

Part 2 to follow . . .