MAC FOOTBALL

PREVIEW: Rivals rematch features two solid teams

Tough 'D' and dangerous offensive threats on both sides

By MIKE SMITH
If the Miami RedHawks want to become a special part of MAC history, they need to remember a couple lessons from that history. 

1. Back-to-back championships are difficult to achieve.
2. Beating an opponent during the regular season is no of guarantee beating that same team in a championship.

The latter should be abundantly clear to RedHawk players given Miami split two matchups with Toledo in 2023. UT won the regular season contest (21-17) on Oct. 21. However, Miami took the rematch -- and a MAC Championship -- with a 23-14 victory Dec. 2. The latter . . . 

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. . . was achieved sans RedHawk QB Brett Gabbert, who suffered a broken leg in the October meeting. 

The RedHawks prevailed over arch-rival Ohio 30-20 back on Oct. 19 of this year. That, however, was then -- and this is now!

As for the first historical lesson, only three MAC programs have heretofore won consecutive MAC titles: NIU (2011-2012), Central Michigan (2006-2007) and Marshall (1997-1998-1999-2000).

At his Monday meeting with the press this week, Miami head coach Chuck Martin told reporters he has been emphasizing the challenge of repeating since January. 

Like many teams, Miami took some big hits through the portal. The losses included MU's top receiver, top running back, a key defender and the reigning Lou Groza award kicker. 

The RedHawks, however, did return some key components including Gabbert, MAC Defensive Player of the Year (2023) Matt Salopek and versatile linebacker Ty Wise. 

Ohio, meanwhile, was very active in the portal. Among the outgoing Bobcats was senior QB Kurtis Rourke, who has shined while leading Indiana to one of its best seasons ever. WR Miles Cross also went to the Hoosiers, while wideout Jacoby Jones joined Central Florida. 

Both schools had an influx of portal players to work into the system, along with younger talent moving up the rosters. That process continued through spring workouts and fall camp. To some extent, teams were still adjusting during the first month of games. 

Miami faced a particularly tough schedule and went 1-3 in non-conference action. With a loss at Toledo to open MAC play, the RedHawks were 1--4. They have not lost since, rolling off seven straight conference wins to secure a title game berth.

Ohio went 2-2 in non-conference play. It then won every MAC contest except one. That was at Miami. 

"They probably didn't have their best game that day, and we played really well." Martin said. "We made some big plays and capitalized on our opportunities." 

After taking a 3-0 first quarter lead, Miami added another 14 on two Brett Gabbert TD passes for a 16-0 halftime lead. 

Ohio used half of the third period to drive for its first touchdown but failed on a two-point conversion try. It was a 16-6 contest before MU broke things open with two TDs in just over one minute. 

Keyon Mozee's 58-yard burst at 1:47 of the third quarter expanded the lead. Three plays into Ohio's following drive, Matt Salopek intercepted a Peter Navarro pass. Gabbert then hit Cade McDonald with a 28-yard score on Miami's next snap. 

Down 30-6, Ohio scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, including one with six seconds left. 

"The game was closer than the (final) score," Martin said. "I don't see the game going that way again." 

"Typically, (championship games) are pretty even, closely contested games. To win one of them is hard. . . . It's not by accident that teams don't (often repeat)."

There is much on the line for both teams. Miami, which holds the most MAC football titles (17) of any program, has a chance to be join the celebrated 1973-75 MU teams as consecutive title winners. Ohio. meanwhile, is looking for its first MAC football championship since 1968. 

This is the 101st meeting between the rivals, who have played every year since 1945 (except the 2020 Covid season). Miami leads the all-time series 56-42-2. 

Martin feels both teams have improved since their October meeting, and neither has lost. "We've a better team than we were five weeks ago (and so are they)," he said. "They've been rolling. I think they've outscored their five opponents since then  like 184-56 or something like that. They have just been throttling everyone." 

WHAT MAKES THE BOBCATS GO?
Check most Bobcat box scores and two things are quickly noticeable. 1. Ohio likes to run the ball. 2. Peter Navarro is a really big part of the offense. 

The 'Cats average a league-best 210 yards per game on the ground. They are second (behind Northern Illinois) in rushing attempts (482) and average 5.2 ypc. Senior Anthony Tyus III (6-1, 226) tops Ohio rushing with 184 carries for 960 yards with eight touchdowns. 

Right behind him -- statistically, anyway -- is quarterback Parker Navarro. The 6-0, 203-pound senior has been a key reason why Ohio brings a 9-3 record into Saturday's contest. As a passer, he has completed 156-of-240 passes (65%), good for 1,934 yards with 10 TDs and 10 interceptions. He is also a major part of the run game, logging 132 carries for 876 yards (6.6 ypc) with a team-high 13 rushing TDs. 

"When you have a guy as athletic as Navarro -- that can throw it and run it -- it's every play that you've got to be on your toes," Martin said. "Any play can go big, and they use him in so many different ways. He's so dangerous scrambling, on top of designed runs." 

When throwing, Navarro's top target has been Coleman Owen, who earned First Team All-MAC honors this year. The former Northern Arizona wideout owns 62 catches totaling 1,032 yards with seven of the team's 12 receiving scores. 

OHIO DEFENSE 
In the five games since surrendering 30 to Miami, Ohio has allowed just 10.8 ppg. That included 21 points in a comfortable 42-21 victory over Ball State last week. 

On the season, the Bobcats are third among MAC teams in scoring defense (18.7 ppg), second in total offense defense (305.8 ypg), first in rushing defense (98.7 ypg) and fifth in pass defense 207.1 ypg.

REDHAWK DEFENSE ... AGAIN!
Miami's defense was a huge part of the 2023 title. After Gabbert was injured in Week 8, the RedHawks won five straight while allowing no more than 16 points in any game. With some adjustments on offense, it was enough to reach -- and win -- the championship game.

Many of the key players in that defense returned, and Miami is again among the conference leaders in several categories. The RedHawks rank first among MAC teams in scoring defense (17.3 ppg), third in total defense (309.3 ypg), third in rushing defense (128.9 ypg), second in pass defense (180.3 ypg) and first in defensive pass efficiency. 

Linebacker Matt Salopek returned after earning 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was still a First Team selection this year and is a keystone for the MU defense. Fellow linebacker Ty Wise earned Second Team All-MAC honors and is a versatile piece who is particularly valuable against mobile quarterbacks. He was instrumental in defending Dequan Finn in last year's championship game.

DL Brian Ugwu (First Team) and DL Corey Suttle (Second Team) earned All-MAC honors and are part of a solid defensive front. Raion Straider anchors the secondary -- a young and previously inexperienced group that Martin said has improved considerably through the year. 

​REDHAWK TAKEAWAY
After a shaky start in non-conference play, the RedHawks rank 45th nationally in turnover margin. It's an important part of a success formula that thrives on turnovers and field position. Perhaps an even bigger part of that formula has been the RedHawks ability to take away opponents' top offensive threats -- or at least limit their damage. 

Last week, MU held MAC Offensive Player of the Year Harold Fannin Jr. to eight catches for 47 yards and no TDs. Coincidentally, Bowling Green scored just one offensive touchdown on the day. 

Against Ohio in October, Miami held Navarro to 38 yards rushing. He completed 13-of-22 passes, good for 88 yards with two interceptions before Nick Poulos (9-of-21, 93 yards) came on for some late drives. 

OFFENSIVE CHUNKS
Miami's offense struggled during the non-conference schedule. Some of that likely owed to the tough schedule. Some might have been related to Gabbert regaining his form after last year's serious injury. In any case, he tossed three touchdowns and six interceptions through the first four games. He followed that with 15 TDs and 1 pick in the next six games. Most recently, in games against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green (both challenging defenses), he registered three passing TDs and three interceptions.

Although they can sometimes eat up some clock, the RedHawks have done more damage on the scoreboard with chunk plays. Keyon Mozee not only ran for a league-best 1,045 yards this year, he tied Navarro and WMU's Jaden Nixon with an average of 6.6 ypc. Gabbert has also hit Javon Tracy and Kenny Virgil on several long plays. Last week, MU got back WR Cade McDonald after an extended absence. "He's a huge weapon for us," Martin said. 

FINAL THOUGHTS
The 2024 championship game brings together two teams that are solid on both sides of the ball. 
Like any other team, MU will try to limit Ohio's run game in general and Navarro in particular. Offensively, the RedHawks will be facing a very good defensive unit for the third consecutive week. Ohio could help itself with pressure on Miami's QB, who is no where near as mobile as Navarro. Gabbert has thrown several interceptions in the last two games. By contrast, he tossed three TDs with no picks in Miami's win over Ohio earlier this season. 

Both teams have capable place kickers. Although MU's Dom Dzioban (22-od-26 FGs, long of 51) was tabbed for First Team All-MAC honors, Ohio's Bianni Spetic was good on 11-of-14 field goal tries with a long of 46.