MIAMI FOOTBALL

Gabbert tosses three TDs as RedHawks down Bobcats

Reid Holskey lifts Javon Tracy following the receiver's second quarter touchdown. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Quarterback Brett Gabbert added to his success against Ohio Saturday as he tossed three touchdown passes to lead Miami past the Bobcats 30-20 at Yager Stadium. 

With his three TDs, Gabbert now has 12 career touchdown passes and just one interception when facing Ohio. It was the second straight game in which the senior did not throw an interception -- another sign that he is finding his groove after last year’s leg injury. 
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Along with Gabbert, the RedHawks . . . 

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Keyon Mozee breaks loose on a 58-yard touchdown run. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . offense is also improving. For the second straight week (both wins), the offensive line did not allow a sack. It also opened enough holes for MU to total 150 yards rushing and average 5.2 ypc. 

Senior Keyon Mozee led Miami’s run game with 111 yards on 16 carries. That included a 58-yard burst that helped the RedHawks keep their distance after Ohio gained some momentum with a third quarter touchdown. 
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"He's so much more decisive (now). Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. "He is taking those short runs and turning them into big ones. . . Having those big chunk plays - that's nice. He's really playing well." 
Cade McDonald, meanwhile, led Miami receivers with five catches totaling 84 yards. Reggie Virgil (3/39 yards) and Javon Tracy (3/24 yards) also recorded scores. ​

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Raion Strader turns upfield while returning an interception. (MVSmith/MRO)

Miami’s defense, as usual, had a big hand in the outcome. The RedHawks picked off two passes, changing field position and setting up scores. They also held Ohio’s run game, which had been averaging 192.3 ypg (3rd MAC) to 110 yards. 

"They did an amazing, amazing job," said Martin, who indicated limiting run damage by Ohio QB Parker Navarro and RB Anthony Tyus III was a priority. They "are good players. They've (already) got 1,200 yards rushing,  (and) they combined for 19 carries for 53 yards (today). That's the game right there."

Martin was also pleased with the defensive work on Bobcat wideout Coleman Owen.  "Their leading receiver . . . is a really good player. He gets 9 targets, 2 catches and 12 yards."

After losing their very first MAC game of 2024 (Oct. 5 at Toledo), the defending champion RedHawks found their backs against the wall. Since then they have responded in spite of a slew of injuries.
"We're digging ourselves out of a hole. We can't take our foot off the gas pedal," Martin said.  "We've got to keep playing well."

Miami got the only score of the first quarter  but settled for a 28-yard Dom Dzioban field goal. 

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Reggie Virgil stretches for the goal line as Dustin Johnson defends on the play. Virgil's score put MU up 10-0 midway through the second quarter. (MVsmith/MRO)

Cade McDonald is bumped out of bounds by Adonis Williams Jr. (MVSmith/MRO)

Midway through the second stanza,  Gabbert found Reggie Virgil near the right pylon, and he stretched across the goal line to complete a 14-yard TD play.

Later in the period, Gabbert threaded the needle for an eight-yard TD pass to Javon Tracy. MU missed the PAT try, taking a 16-0 lead to the locker room.

"We've been talking about timing (in the passing game) a lot, but that was legit" Martin said. "There's three (defenders) down there. Brett puts it on him off the cut. Javon is turning, and that ball is smokin'. He just throws his hands up and ends up catching it. That's an elite, elite, elite catch." ​

Ohio received the second half kickoff and drove 75 yards in 15 plays for its first score at 7:29. It elected to go for two points, but the pass was deflected and incomplete. 

Both teams punted before MU took over for its second possession of the half. It was a one-play drive as Mozee burst  loose on a 58-yard TD run. That pushed the RedHawks lead to 23-6, but the RedHawks were not done. 

Three plays into Ohio’s next drive, linebacker Matt Salopek picked off a Parker Navarro pass over the middle. Miami took over at the Bobcats’ 28. Gabbert then hit Cade McDonald along the right side. He sidestepped a defender and finished the play to give Miami a 30-6 lead with 43 seconds left in the third quarter. 

Nick Poulos took over at quarterback for Ohio, and faced heavy pressure. However, the ‘Cats managed to score two touchdowns in the final stanza. 

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Luke Evans (5) Brings down Rodney Harris II as Silas Walters (29) and Oscar McWood (23) close in. (MVSmith/MRO)

Poulos connected on 9-of-21, good for 93 yards on the day and ran for one TD. Navarro was 13-of-22 for 88 yards with two interceptions.  
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Rodney Harris topped Ohio receivers with seven catches for 82 yards. Navarro and Poulos led Ohio rushers with a combined 18 carries totaling 67 yards and a score.

"They play like we play," Martin said of the Bobcats. "They're well coached, and their kids play hard. They're smart . . . When you do good against them, you know you played the game the right way." 

Miami remains home next week as it hosts Central Michigan (3-4, 2-1 MAC) in the RedHawks final Saturday contest of 2024. Likewise, Ohio is home to face Buffalo (4-3, 2-1 MAC)  in the 'Cat's final Saturday tilt.
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Matt Salopek (15) gets a round of congratulations from teammates after intercepting a Bobcats pass. It was his second interception in two weeks. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES: 
>> It was the 100th meeting between Miami and Ohio. MU now leads the series 56-42-2.
>> The victory gave Chuck Martin his 59th win as head coach of the RedHawks. That tied him with Randy Walker for most wins as a Miami head coach. 
"It's awesome," Martin said. "I have so much respect for Randy Walker (and) . . . I'm super proud."
>> With Saturday’s results, Western Michigan (3-0) is the only team with an undefeated MAC record. Miami and Ohio are two of six teams with one conference loss. 
>> MU out-gained the Bobcats 328-291 overall. 
>> Sometimes third down conversions tell a story. Sometimes not! 
​Ohio converted 8-of-16 third downs Saturday and lost. Miami was 2-of-10 and won. 
>>> Both teams were 3-of-3 in the red-zone.
>> Matt Salopek and Raion Slater recorded interceptions, with the latter returning his pick 33 yards. Salopek, who also led Miami with 10 tackles, recorded his second interception in two weeks. 
>> The RedHawks recorded three sacks and four TFL.  Bian Ugwu was credited with 1.5 sacks. 
Ohio had four TFL but no sacks. 

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