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MU in refresh and refocus modes for home opener  By MIKE SMITH
Depending upon one's point of view, last week's Miami victory over Cincinnati might be considered the RedHawks biggest win in over a decade. In recovering a Victory Bell trophy that had been in area rival Cincinnati's possession for 16 years, the RedHawks set off a huge celebration on the streets and watering holes of uptown Oxford. As joyous as that occasion was, a part of this week's preparation for Delaware State is for the RedHawks to put the Cincinnati win behind them. It doesn't matter who we're playing next," Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin observed Monday. "Getting back to . . . playing your best football (the) next week is hard. You have . . . Scoreboard more important than stat sheet Victory Bell takes the High Street home  By MIKE SMITH
Some coaches are celebrators; some are not. Although often animated, Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin is part of the latter. Hence, he appeared to be one of the calmer Miami football program members following the RedHawks upset win over Cincinnati Saturday at Nippert Stadium. Speaking to the media Monday morning, he assured everybody that he appreciated the moment. "It's probably one of the most amazing game's I've ever been associated with," Martin said. "I'm (just) not a celebrator." The veteran coach . . . Big plays lift Miami over Bearcats All three phases contribute as RedHawks reclaim bell  Yahsyn Mckee made several key plays down the stretch. (MU Athletics) By MIKE SMITH
CINCINNATI, OH - Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin noted that even Miami alums who don't follow the football team all that closely still want to know when it will happen. When will Miami get the Victory Bell back? Thanks to his RedHawks' 31-24 overtime victory over Cincinnati Saturday at Nippert Stadium, Martin now has a perfect reply: "The Victory Bell IS back ... (and) it sounds good." Cincinnati took a 16-game series winning streak into Saturday's contest, and the new Big 12 member was again a solid favorite on its home field. Final stats show the Bearcats outgained MU by 180 yards and nearly doubled the RedHawks in first downs (30-16). "Obviously, they outgained us," Martin said. "We didn't have a lot of style (points) ... but defensively we found ways to . . . Fickell gone, but 'Cats remain big challenge for MU Possession time, turnovers among key stats  By MIKE SMITH
For those who thought the Cincinnati Bearcats might lose some momentum after Head Coach Luke Fickell left for Wisconsin, the early returns say, "Not so far!!!" The 'Cats are 2-0 thus far under new Head Coach Scott Satterfield, and it looks like UC will be well-prepared to defend possession of the Victory Bell when it meets Miami Saturday night at Nippert Stadium. The RedHawks are now 1-1 after knocking off UMass 41-28 in a weather-delayed marathon last Saturday. It was the . . . RedHawks overcame weather challenges at UMass  By MIKE SMITH
Years from now, 2023 RedHawk players may still be talking about last Saturday's 41-28 Miami win over UMass. Even if they don't remember the score, they'll have a story or two about the circumstances. The game was supposed to start at 3:30 p.m. but was held up by lightning in the area. Oh, it looked fine at the stadium where the two teams had finished warmups. As MU Head Coach Chuck Martin pointed out, that just made it harder to give his players the news of a delay. Radar had indicated lightning within the eight-mile radius of Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, and by rule that required a stoppage, but the players' eyes . . . Elusive Larvadain leads MU past UMass  (MVSmith file) By MIKE SMITH
AMHERST, MA -- Junior Gage Larvadain caught eight passes for 273 yards, including a school record 99-yard aerial, as Miami defeated UMass 41-28 Saturday at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The game was scheduled to start at 3:32 p.m., but due to severe weather delays, finished after midnight. When play finally began, Miami scored . . . Better - not harder - test awaits RedHawks Run game, passing improvements among Miami goals
 By MIKE SMITH
Last Friday's opener at Miami (Fl) was the kind of matchup where the RedHawks needed a near perfect game to hang with an opponent that MU Head Coach Chuck Martin noted has quickly mastered an NIL system that powers so many Power Five programs these days. "They've got the NIL figured it out, and they've got a great system in place," Martin said. "They're at the front end of doing it the right way." That said, while the Hurricanes are building an elite arsenal, Martin was disappointed by RedHawk mistakes that opened and/or enhanced UM's opportunities. "(I'm) disappointed at our . . . RedHawks 'rearmed' for run at MAC title  Keyon Mozee is part of a run game that hopes to step up in 2023. (MVSmith) Miami RedHawks 2022 Record: 6-7, 4-4 MAC 2023 MAC Head Coaches Poll: Second in MAC East By MIKE SMTH In some respects, the Miami RedHawks had two football seasons last year. The first lasted less than 60 minutes of playing time. The second was everything after that. Two key RedHawks went down to serious injuries during a Week One game at Kentucky. Tackle Sam Vaughn was lost for the season. Quarterback Brett Gabbert, meanwhile, appeared in just three more games after injuring his non-throwing shoulder. Gabbert's injury was particulary devastating given the RedHawks had already lost backup A.J. Mayer to transfer during the offseason. That forced Aveon Smith into the starting spot. Not only was he lacking any significant game experience, the freshman was much more of a running weapon than a passing threat. Although he improved in the latter and picked up valuable game management skills, the RedHawks preseason offensive battle plans were radically altered. |
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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