MIAMI FOOTBALL

First RedHawk home game features tough opponent

RedHawks and Rebels both coming off bye week

The Miami RedHawks are still looking for their first victory of 2025. 
Given the schedule, not to mention a massive personnel turnover this season, its hardly surprising. After losses to Big Ten foes Wisconsin (17-0) and Rutgers (45-17), MU enjoyed a much-needed bye last week. There was no shortage of things to work on as Head Coach Chuck Martin's team continues its efforts to mesh so many new parts and iron out issues on both sides of the ball.
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This the RedHawks first . . . 

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home game, and MU has shined on the home turf in recent years. However, given the opponent, . . . . MU will need to show improvement to claim a win. 
• • • • UNLV, who was also on a bye last Saturday, brings a 3-0 record to Oxford. After an opening win over Idaho State (38-31), the Rebels defeated Sam Houston (38-21). In its most recent outing, UNLV edged UCLA 30-23.
• The Rebels' ruled early, holding UCLA (0-2) to just thee first half points while opening a 23-0 lead. The Bruins cored 20 second half points, but UNLV's only post-break touchdown ultimately proved decisive. 
• UCLA out-gained the Rebels 428-351 overall. However, the former committed two turnovers. 
• The Bruins averaged 5.8 ypc on the ground, while UNLV picked up 4.6 ypc. 
• Rebels QB Anthony Colandrea completed 15 of 21 passs attempts, good for 203 yards with three touchdowns. 
• Junior Var'keyes Gumms led the Rebels with three catches for 40 yards and a TD. 
• Jai'Den Thomas and Anthony Colandrea combined for 24 carries and 120 yards. 
• Amaris Brown recorded an interception, while junior DB Jake Pope had a team-high 11 tackles. 
• Ramon Villela converted one of two field goal tries, with a long of 50. 
• • • • •  MIAMI struggled mightily on offense against Wisconsin in Week 1. The offense improved, while the defense struggled at times against Rutgers. 
• The RedHawks began 2025 with no returning starters on offense. 
• Former Toledo standout DaQuan Finn has taken over the reins at quarterback. Finn's production picked up against Rutgers as he completed 14 of 23 passes for 251 yards with one INT and ran 11 times for another 85 yards and a score.
• Keither Reynolds (7 catches, 120 yards) and Kam Perry (4 catches, 108 yards) led Miami receivers against Rutgers. 
• "Obviously, we did a lot better things than the first week -- when we didn't do anything particularly well - run on throw," Martin said.  "We got some big chunk plays. We averaged over eight yards a play for the game. That's obviously a very good number."
• Martin noted the Miami defense couldn't get third down stops in the second half. "There were a lot of long drives, and we weren't good on third down all day. -- Just too many mistakes. They just kept executing and waiting for us to make mistakes." 
• According to Martin, the Rebels have some Big Ten-calibre athletes. "They're a talented, talented athletic bunch on both sides of the ball."
• Offensively, Martin observed, "The quarterback is a dual threat. ... He played a lot of games at Virginia and obviously since he's come over (to UNLV), he's done really well... They've (also) got a bunch of different running backs that can play."