MIAMI FOOTBALL

Championship Game Notes/Observations

By MIKE SMITH
Saturday was an historical day for the Miami football program as the 2023 squad added to its accomplishments with a 23-14 upset win over No. 23 Toledo. 
Miami has now won 11 games for the first time since 2003 (Ben Roethlisberger's last year at MU).  Not only did this year's team recover the Victory Bell with a dramatic win at UC, it bounced back from a Brett Gabbert's season-ending injury to beat rival  (and preseason MAC East favorite) Ohio in a key matchup the following week. After losing to Toledo for their only MAC loss (and losing Gabbert in the process), MU managed to reverse the verdict against UT in the championship game.  All of those victories were against the odds.
Who ever won the championship game deserved the title. The field was loaded with talent on both sides. Even in defeat, Finn demonstrated why he earned a MAC MVP award. Miami's defense and special teams, meanwhile, again provided a foundation for victory. 
​Here are some more notes on the game  . . . 

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John Young (71) and the Miami offensive line cleared enough room for almost 200 rushing yards against a tough Toledo defense. (MVSmith/MRO)

-- The RedHawks improve to 4-2 in MAC Championship Games and have won three straight (2010, 2019, 2023).
-- Each team converted four third down opportunities, and they combined to go 8 of 29  (27.5%) on third down
-- Toledo out-gained MU 370-306. However, Miami won time of possession -- 34:03-25:57.
-- The RedHawks played turnover-free football while forcing two turnovers. McKee's snaged a big interception in the final minute and Kobe Hilton recovered a fumble.
-- In Yashyn's interception, he peeled off another receiver while the ball was in the air to put himself in front of the intended receiver. The ball hit him in the chest with the receiver around his shoulder. That positioning likely helped as the call on the field was an interception and a long review allowed the catch to stand despite Toledo's claim their player had possession 
-- The RedHawks' Austin Ertl blocked two field goals. On the second, a Toledo lineman grabbed the ball and advanced it far enough for a first down. However, two plays later, Finn threw an interception. 
-- Keyon Mozee averaged 29.0 yards per kickoff return. Cade McDonald averaged 14 yards per punt return. 
-- Punter Alec Bevelhimer averaged 46.8 yards on six punts. Toledo's Emilion Duran averaged 36.5 yards per boot on eight kicks. 
-- During the post-game awards, MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher introduced Matt Salopek as the "tackling machine." Salopek, who was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year this week, picked up MAC Championship Defensive Player of the Game honors. Smith was named Offensive Player of the Game and Nicholson took Special Teams Player of the Game. 
-- Amos now has 12 rushing touchdowns on the season and has found the end zone in nine of his last 10 games.​

Matt Salopek takes a well-earned moment of rest seconds after Miami's upset win over Toledo. Salopek added Defensive Player of the Game honors to his 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Award. (MVSmith/MRO)