MIAMI FOOTBALL

Stakes high as Miami and Ohio meet for 100th time

By MIKE SMITH
RedHawks vs Bobcats!
Saturday marks the 100th gridiron meeting between Miami and Ohio. Typically, the Battle of the Bricks tends to be a hard-fought contest regardless of records. However, in most recent years, the matchup has also been a critical hurdle for reaching the MAC title game. Miami (twice) and Ohio (once) have represented the MAC East in three of the last five seasons, with the RedHawks winning both of their appearances.
With the elimination of divisions this year, it now comes down to two teams (out of 12) with the best records. Both programs still have hopes of reaching the championship tilt. Ohio (2-0 MAC) is one of three MAC teams that are still undefeated in conference play. Buffalo and Western Michigan also have 2-0 MAC marks. Miami is 1-1, including a tough 30-20 loss at Toledo Oct. 5. 

The RedHawks . . . 

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. . .rebounded last week, playing their best all-around game of the season to beat Eastern Michigan. With six games to go, they need another late season run - similar to what they did in their championship years of 2019 and 2023. However, with the loss to Toledo already in the books, MU can ill afford another stumble.

Ohio, meanwhile, has found success despite the departure of standout quarterback Kurtis Rourke. The 2022 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Vern Smith Leadership Award winner is now starting for an Indiana team that is undefeated and ranked No. 16 in the country. 

Miami leads the all-time series 55-42-2. This will be just the teams' second meeting on a Saturday since 2016. 

Miami is 2-2 over the past four meetings versus the Bobcats. Both times MU beat Ohio, it went on to win a MAC Championship (2019, 2023). The Bobcats defeated Miami in Oxford during a seven-game winning streak  that put Ohio in the 2022 MAC title game. 

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OHIO (4-2, 2-0 MAC) . . . opened the season with a loss at Syracuse (38-22). It’s only other setback was Sept. 21 at Kentucky (41-6).The ‘Cats are currently on a two-game win streak, with victories over Akron (30-10) and Central Michigan (27-25). 

➤➤ In last week’s 27-25 win over CMU, the Bobcats led 23-0 at intermission. Central Michigan rallied for 18 straight points before Ohio’s Gianni Septic hit a 46-yard field goal with 5:17 to play. That proved decisive after CMU tallied a final TD with 1:52 remaining. 
➤➤ Ohio out-gained the hosting Chippewas 424-292, but committed the game’s only two turnovers (2 fumbles). 
➤➤ Senior Parker Navarro completed 13-of-22 for a total of 147 yards with one TD. 
➤➤ Navarro also led Ohio rushing with 14 carries totaling 176 yards (12.6 ypc) and a score. Anthony Tyus III followed with 17 rushes for 95 yards (5.6 ypc) as the ‘Cats totaled 277 yards on the ground. 
➤➤ Chase Hendricks caught two balls for 74 yards, while Coleman Owen totaled 48 yards on five receptions. 
➤➤ Defense has been an important part of Ohio’s success during the first half. The Bobcats rank second behind Northern Illinois in total defense (331.8 ypg). They are also second among MAC teams against the run (110.7 ypg) and fifth in pass defense (221.2 ypg) and pass defense efficiency. 
➤➤ Kicker Gianni Spetic is the Bobcats’ leading scorer, going 7-for-8 on field goals and 14- for-14 on PAT.
➤➤ Ohio ranks eighth among MAC teams in scoring (22.2 ppg) and is fourth in total offense (378.2 ypg). The Bobcats are second in rushing (206.0 ypg) and 11th in pass offense (172.2 ypg). Overall, the ‘Cats are sixth in offensive efficiency. 

MIAMI (2-4, 1-1 MAC) . . . struggled on offense through much of its first five games. Things seemed to come together Saturday as MU downed Eastern Michigan 38-14. The RedHawks scored on the first play from scrimmage when QB Brett Gabbert hit Reggie Virgil on a 75-yard TD pass play. 
While EMU tied the game on its own first possession, MU went up 21-7 by intermission. The Eagles scored a third quarter TD, but Miami finished with 17 unanswered fourth period points. 
➤➤ MU forced two turnovers and committed one. 
➤➤ The RedHawks rushed for 199 yards and passed for 222.
➤➤ Keyon Mozee led MU runners with 16 carries totaling 100 yards (6.3 ypc). Jordan Brunson added 65 on six carries, including a 44-yard fourth quarter sprint to seal MU’s win. 
➤➤ Quarterback Brett Gabbert had his most complete performance of 2024, He completed 10-of-13 passes, good for 222 yards and four TDs. 
He also did not throw an interception for the first time this season. He was not sacked and contributed 29 yards on five carries. 
➤➤ Two of Gabbert’s TD throws went to MU receivers who caught their first pass of the season: Connor Briggs (5 yards) and Cole Weaver (24 yards). 
➤➤ Virgil led all receivers with 113 yards and two touchdowns among his three catches. The junior took a hard shot on his second TD and did not return. 
➤➤ Safety Eli Blakey (18) and linebacker Corban Hondru (16) had huge games, combining for 34 tackles (13 solo).
Linebacker Matt Salopek, MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, recorded one interception and forced a fumble. 

GAME KEYS FOR MIAMI 
➤➤ The RedHawks have been hit hard by injuries on both sides of the ball. With WR Cade McDonald getting extra attention lately, MU needs contributions from others. Virgil was giving MU big play production before getting hurt just before halftime. What is his availability … or linebacker Ty Wise … or (fill in the blank)?
“Where we’re at health-wise,” head coach Chuck Martin said Monday, “anybody that can do anything to help us (is valued and) has got to do it.” 
Weaver went from holding “personnel signs” in the first half to catching a second half touchdown Saturday.
➤➤ Gabbert’s performance against EMU had to be encouraging on many fronts. It could also be a shot of confidence going forward. He missed last year’s upset of Ohio in Athens and would no doubt like to add one more Battle of the Bricks victory to his career. His last win against Ohio was in 2019. 
➤➤ The RedHawks’ ground game showed signs of life against EMU. Can the line again open some running lanes -- and still protect Gabbert? It worked last Saturday. The Bobcats rank No. 1 among MAC teams in run defense and are third in pass defense.
➤➤ Martin said the Miami secondary was “way better” last week. “A lot of young guys are starting to get their feet underneath them . . .  (and) starting to get some confidence.” That improvement needs to continue.
➤➤ Generally speaking, MU has been strong against the run. However, earlier in the year, Miami had some difficulties with mobile quarterbacks. This week’s matchup will be a major test for how much improvement they RedHawks have made in defending that challenge.

GAME KEYS FOR OHIO
➤➤ Ohio loves to run the ball. However, if it can throw the ball effectively, it should contribute to Navarro’s ground production, as well. 
He’s “tremendously mobile,” Martin observed Monday. “He loves to scramble (and) they have some zone reads. They (also) have some pre-designed runs. Rush lanes are going to be huge this week.” 
➤➤ Get an early lead. 
Ohio did just that last week with a 24-0 first half lead. Still Central Michigan nearly caught the Bobcats. Miami prefers to play with a lead and pressure opponents into turnovers (and poor field position).

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