MIAMI FOOTBALL

MU offense struggles in bowl loss 

Bulldog defense lives up to its rankings

By MIKE SMITH
TUSCON, AZ -- If there has been an achilles heel for Miami football late this season, it has been offensive struggles against outstanding defensive teams (e.g. Toledo, Western Michigan).. 

Those troubles surfaced again Saturday as Miami fell to Fresno State 18-3 in Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl action at Arizona Stadium. With their loss, the RedHawks finish 2025 with a 7-7 record. Fresno State, meanwhile, moved to 9-4.

Ranked No. 12 nationally in . . . 

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. . . total defense coming into Saturday,  the Bulldogs held MU to 192 yards of offense. They also forced three turnovers -- two fumbles and an interception. 
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Officially, FSU recorded three sacks and three TFL. However, Miami quarterback Thomas Gotkowski was under intense pressure through most of the contest. A number of balls were simply thrown away, while at least two more were nearly intercepted.

Facing a unit ranked sixth nationally in pass defense, Gotkowski completed just 5 of 22 pass attempts, totaling 72 yards with one interception. Cole Weaver was the only receiver with more than one catch. He had two receptions totaling 43 yards. Kam Perry, who led Miami receivers this year and was among the nation's leaders in yards per catch, finished with 11 yards on one reception. 

The RedHawks run game, meanwhile fared a bit better with 120 yards on 26 carries. However, 46 of those were by WR Keith Reynolds, who picked up 32 yards on one play. Jordan Brunson carried nine times for 43 yards in his final game as a RedHawk. 

Miami's only points came on its first possession. It was a drive that covered 45 yards, with Reynold's 32-yard scamper accounting for most of the progress. When the drive stalled at FSU's 15, Dom Dzioban came on to attempt a field goal. Thanks to Peirse Stainton's quick grab of a high snap, Dzioban was able boot the 33-yard kick through for a 3-0 Miami lead. While they were the only Miami points of the day, it would not be the only high snap. 

Miami's defense also shined much of the contest, allowing just one touchdown. That was early in the fourth quarter. It shut out the Bulldogs in the first and third periods.

Fresno State's first points came at the end of  a 15-play, 82-yard drive that took 8:00 off the clock. Dylan Lynch's 37-yard field goal tied the game with 7:54 remaining before intermission. 

FSU took the lead just a few minutes later with the help of a bad punt snap that sailed well over Stainton's head and into the endzone. Although he was able to recover it and get off a desperation kick, the boot was blocked. 

Fresno State took over at Miami's 10 but could not pick up a first down. Lynch came on to kick the second of his four field goal. That put the Bulldogs in front 6-3. 

Miami appeared to be on its way to responding with its own score on the following possession. However, a Brunson fumble at the Bulldogs 22 ended MU's drive after 53 yards. Fresno State then took over and went 71 yards in six plays to set up Lynch's third field goal as time expired. 

Down 9-3 at the break, Miami was still just seven points from taking a lead. However, all three Miami third quarter possessions ended in punts.

A 70-yard Bulldog drive early in third quarter gave Lynch another chance, but he pulled it just left. 

Fresno State, which held the ball for nearly 39 minutes on the day, started to enjoy more offensive success late in the contest, A 70-yard drive that started early in the third period finished with the game's only touchdown. E.J. Warner found Richie Anderson wide open in the endzone for a 2-yard TD. The two-point PAT try failed, but FSU led 15-3 with 11:12 to play. 

Miami had two possessions after that. Both ended on failed fourth down chances. Fresno State added a final Lynch field goal with 2:56 remaining.

NOTES: 
•  Miami's offensive line would have had its hands full anyway, but the RedHawks lost one  starting tackle (portal) before the game and the other (injury) during first half action. 
•  The Bulldogs out-gained Miami 396-192. 
•  Warner completed 15 of 22 passes, good for 219 yards with one TD. 
•  Josiah Freeman led the Bulldogs with seven receptions for 1453 yards. 
•  As usual, FSU employed multiple running backs. Brandon Ramirez led the way with 11 carries for 53 yards. 
•  Dzioban finished his career 46-for-53 on field goals (.868), setting a new program record for career accuracy.
•   Malcolm McCain had a career-high 13 tackles, matching Eli Blakey for the highest total in the game.Silas Walters recorded 12 stops. 
•  Miami's defense recorded one sack and four TFL.