MIAMI FOOTBALL

RedHawks fall as Rebels dominate second half

Miami injuries, turnovers play key roles

Corban Hondru celebrates a sack. MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- The hosts led early, but three MU turnovers and a slew of RedHawk injuries helped UNLV come-from behind to post a 41-38 victory at Yager Stadium Saturday.
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​With their win, the Rebels moved to 4-0 on the season, while Miami dropped to 0-3. 
The RedHawks led 14-3 early in . . .

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Corban Hondru brings back a first half interception. He added another pick in the second half, taking that return to the end zone. (MVSmith/MRO)

​. . . the second quarter when QB Dequan Finn rolled right and lofted a pass downfield. He was hit and up-ended after releasing the ball and fell awkwardly. Finn was still down when Amaris Brown ran by him on a 67-yard pick-six interception return. 
Backup Henry Hesson came in for Miami and had early success. His 22-yard TD pass to Kenny Tracy on the following MU possession gave the RedHawks a 21-10 lead and they added a field goal just before intermssion. 
Finn's injury seemed to open the injury floodgates for Miami, which had escaped relatively healthy through two Big Ten matchups. Several other injuries followed Finn's, and the Rebels came roaring back in the second half. They scored 14 straight points to tie the contest at 24 all at 7:45 of the third period.
Although the MU offense stalled out after intermission, Miami did put up two quick "non-offense" touchdowns to temporarily establish a 38-24 advantage. 

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Senior Deion Colzie cradles a first half pass that picked up 44 yards. (MVSmith/MRO)

Keith Reynolds provided the first TD on a 100-yard kickoff return at 7:33 of the third period. Just over a minute later, Corban Hondru picked off a UNLV pass and returned it 47 yards for a score. 
While they provided vital points, neither play gave MU's defense much of a break, and the Rebels soon resumed their second half offensive march. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who passed for 293 yards with two TDs and two picks, also ran for 79 yards (netting 54 on the day). He topped off a 17-play, 87-yard drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Taeshaun Lyons at 13:13 of the the fourth quarter. Keyvone Lee's 1-yard touchdown run at 6:50 tied the contest at 38-all. 
Miami responded with its best drive of the second half. Facing fourth-and-one at the UNLV 41, MU converted with a Tracy 3-yard run. Tracy then got the ball on the next play and scampered 24 yards before Jaheem Joseph punched the ball loose. 
UNLV recovered at its 17 and started a decisive final drive at 2:32. Nine plays later, the Rebels faced a fourth down at Miami's five. Ramon Villeta came on and kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the Rebels their first lead of the day, 41-38, with 18 seconds left. 

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Henry Hesson replaced Daquan Finn. after Finn's second quarter injury. (MVSmith/MRO)

Miami returned a short kickoff to the 36. Hesson then completed a pass to the UNLV 41 and spiked the ball to give MU a long field goal (approximately 58 yards) try. That, however, fizzled on a fumbled snap and subsequent interception to end the contest. 
• Tracy finished with 16 carries for 107 yards rushing. He had another 84 yards on six catches. 
• Kam Perry recorded five receptions totaling 122 yards.
• Finn completed 7 of 12 passes for 141 yards, 1 TD and 1 interception.
Hesson connected on 8 of 17 attemps for 134 yards with one pick. 
• Eli Blakey topped the Miami defense with 16 tackles (10 solo)
• The Rebels recorded four sacks. 

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Eli Blakey and Oscar Mcwood take down UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea near the sideline. (MVSmith/MRO)

Kenny Tracy stiff-arms a Rebel defender while picking up a first down. Tracy recorded a total of 191 yards rushing and receiving. Two of his receptions resulted in touchdowns. (MVSmith/MRO)

Keith Reynolds (0) helps Kenny Tracy celebrate a touchdown. (MVSmith/MRO)

Eric Smith works against a UNLV defender. (MVSmith/MRO)