MIAMI FOOTBALL

Plenty of  questions as RedHawks face FSU challenge

By MIKE SMITH
Bowl games can be a real roll of the dice, especially in the portal age.
Who's leaving? Who's staying? Is anybody back from injury? Where is team/individual player focus?

The Miami RedHawks are coming off a second straight Mid-American Conference championship game loss. Last year, they bounced back to post an impressive bowl game win -- 43-17 over Colorado State. However, that RedHawks bowl squad included numerous talented and experienced veterans. This year's contingent is loaded with question marks. 

One of the biggest is . . . 

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. . . at quarterback. It is a situation Miami has managed since Finn's untimely -- and somewhat mysterious -- departure after nine games. Backup Henry Hesson handled duries during a loss to Toledo. Redshirt freshman Thomas Gotkowski came in off the bench at Buffalo and helped MU get a critical victory. He also guided Miami's offense in another must-win matchup against Ball State 10 days later. 

The two wins were enough to get Miami - via tiebreakers -- into the MAC title game. However, Western Michigan's defense dominated MU much of the day. Gotkowski finished the day completing 7 of 17 pass attempts totaling 92 yards. Hesson, a senior, similarly connected on 7 of 20 for a107 yards and a TD. 

How much either quarterback plays in the bowl game remains to be seen. Since Hesson is a senior, there is likely some incentive to see more of Gotkowski's potential. 

Regardless, the RedHawks offense will be challenged as Fresno State is ranked 14th in total defense. The Bulldogs are sixth in pass defense (160.6 ypg) and 42nd in rushing defense (132.9 ypg).

Several sources have reported that Kam Perry, Miami's leading receiver, is entering the portal. The former Indiana Hoosier recorded a nation's best 23.0 yards per catch this year. Overall, had had 42 catches for 966 yards. 

Fresno State's defense, meanwhile, has one defensive back headed to the portal -- redshirt junior CB Jayden Davis. 

The Bulldogs seem a bit more forgiving against the rush, and MU would like to get its run game going -- even without OT Drew Terrill (portal). Miami rushed for 217 yards, averaging 6.4  ypc and scoring five TDs, in last year's bowl win. 

Kenny Tracy was lost to injury early in the year and Finn's running skills unavilable while he trains for the next level. Senior Jordan Brunson had a good year, averaging 4.7 ypc while picking up 724 yards (4 TDs) through 13 games. Freshman D'Shantae Jones has thrived in short yardage situations and scored seven touchdowns this year. He could certainly get some more snaps in a bowl situation. 

Over on the defensive side, Miami has been busy patching holes in the dike through the final month. Add in at least four portal losses, and MU's typically reliable foundation has some questions.  Adam Trick (Edge), Josh Lukusa (Edge) Mychal Yharbrough (S) and  Luke Evans (CB). have been reported as portal-bound. 

More FSU Notes
• Bulldogs senior quarterback E.J Warner completed 69.4 percent of his 255 passes this year, contributing 1,511 yards with 12 TDs. However, he also tossed 11 interceptions and was sacked 16 times. 

•  Half of his touchdowns went to senior Josiah Freeman (45 catches, 499 yards, 6 TDs). Richie Anderson III and Rayshon Luke combined for 54 receptions, 501 yards and four scores. 

•  As for the run game, Junior Rayshone Luke (5-9, 180) and sophomore Bryson Donelson (5-11, 205) logged a combined 142 carries totaling 1,268 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

• Senior kicker Dylan Lynch hit all 34 PAT boots and 17 of 22 field goal tries (long of 43). 

• Mountain West honors went to:
FIRST TEAM --  OL Jacob Spomer (Sr), 
SECOND TEAM -- LB Jadon Pearson (Sr), DB Al'Zillion Hamilton (Sr)
HONORABLE MENTION -- Finn Claypool, DE; Josiah Freeman, WR; Simeon Harris, DB; Deijon Laffitte, DL; Rayshon Luke, RB/PR/KR