MIAMI FOOTBALL

Late score lifts Ohio past RedHawks

Outcome creates four-way tie atop MAC standings

By MIKE SMITH
ATHENS, OH - The Ohio Bobcats did what they do best at Peden Stadium Tuesday. They won.
Sieh Bangura ran for one touchdown and returned a kickoff 97 yards for another as Ohio knocked off rival and previously MAC-undefeated Miami 24-20. The Bobcats victory means four teams -- Ohio, Miami, Buffalo and Western Micnigan -- now share first place with 4-1 MAC records. 
The Bobcats and RedHawks split last year's two meetings, with Ohio cruising past MU in the MAC championship tilt.
Saturday's game was more . . . 

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. . . like so many contests in the Battle of the Bricks rivalry. The RedHawks and Bobcats matched each other on the scoreboard in three of four quarters. Each went scoreless in the first, hit a field goal in the second and scored 14 points in the fourth period. Ohio's 7-3 edge in the third was the difference. 
Miami took its final lead of the night with 9:29 left in the fourth quarter. Facing fourth-and-nine at the Bobcats' 27, quarterback Dequan Finn found Kam Perry in the end zone to give MU a 20-17 advantage. 
After trading punts, the Bobcats went 75 yards in five plays. Miami appeared to have the drive stopped with a sack of Ohio QB Peter Navarro. However, a facemask penalty gave the hosts a first down and two plays later, Navarro lofted a deep pass to Rodney Harris II near the goal line. When the defender slipped, Harris finished the 49-yard TD play. 
Down 24-20 with 2:08 left, Miami's final possession lasted just two plays as Jalen Thomeson made a diving interception of Finn's final pass. 
It was Miami's only turnover, while Ohio committed two turnovers. 

MORE NOTES: 
• Ohio need only defeat winless UMass at home to go undefeated at Peden Stadium for the second strait season. The last home loss for Ohio was against Miami back in October of 2023.  Among the Bobcats Peden Stadium victories this year was a 17-10 win over visiting Wester Virginia. 
• Both Ohio and Miami have tough assignments in the coming weeks. The 'Cats travel to Western Michigan Nov. 11 and finish at Buffalo Nov. 26. 
Miami hosts Toledo Nov. 12 and travels to Buffalo Nov. 19 before finishing at home against Ball Sate Nov. 29.
• Navarro completed 16 of 31 pass attempts, totaling 201 yards with one TD and one INT. He also ran eight times for a total of 32 yards .
• Bangura, who ranks second among MAC rushers (92.2 ypg), registered 17 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown. He also stunned MU with a 97-yard kickoff return early in the fourth quarter. Faking a handoff or short pitch to a passing teammate, Bangura kept the ball and shot through a hole in the return defense. 
• Harris led Ohio receivers with five catches for 92 yards -- 49 on the 'Cats final TD. 
• Miami's Finn completed 17 of 25 passes, good for 194 yards with two TDs and one INT. 
• Sophomore Cole Weaver topped RedHawk receivers with six catches for 94 yards. Perry had three receptions for 45 yards and a score, while freshman Braylon Isom had two catches. His 4-yard fourth quarter catch was his first TD reception. 
• Corban Hondru led the Miami defense with 17 tackles, including a sack. He also recorded a fumble recovery on the sack play. 
• Eli Coppess recorded an interception, wrestling a ball away from an Ohio receiver to prevent a first-half touchdown.