MIAMI FOOTBALL

Miami faces Bulls in key MAC showdown

RedHawks also need win  for bowl eligibility

By MIKE SMITH
The Miami RedHawks entered November riding a five-game winning streak that included a win over current MAC leader Western Michigan. Two games later, MU is scrambling for not only a MAC title game spot, but also bowl eligibility. 
Some might call it an uphill battle, because it is a different RedHawks team these days. The reason?
Quarterback Dequan Finn is . . . 

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. . . gone. After playing in Miami's narrow loss to rival and defending MAC champion Ohio, Finn was unavailable to play against Toledo -- a team he took to the MAC Championship game in 2023. Miami won that game.

Originally announced as unavailable due to illness, Finn was subsequently reported as "moving on" to train for "the next level." 
Speculation swirled around the untimely move that came during MU's stretch run. Regardless, the RedHawks are "moving forward with the guys we've got," according to Martin. 

This week's opponent -- Buffalo -- is the fourth of a four-game gauntlet for Miami, which started the stretch by beating currrent MAC leader Western Michigan 26-17. Losses to Ohio and Toledo followed. 

Although Miami leads the all-time series against UB 19-9, 10 of those RedHawk wins came in the first 10 meetings. More recently, MU has dropped three straight road tilts in Buffalo. The last RedHawk win there was in 2016. 

• • • • • BUFFALO (5-4, 4-2 MAC) is also part of the five-team scrum at second place. It's two remaining games are both at home. However, after meeting Miami, the Bulls finish against Ohio. 
• While the Bulls are a respectable fifth in scoring offense (24.2 ppg), they are two spots higher in scoring defense 21.4 per game. With Miami fourth (21.9 ppg) and missing its usual starter at quarterback, Wednesday could be a defensive battle.
• The Bulls did give up 38 points in their last outing, falling at Central Michigan 38-19 last week.
Buffalo led 10-7 in the second quarter, but CMU scored 28 of the next 31 points. A late UB touchdown only slightly reduced the margin of victory. 
• UB outgained the Chippewas 398-358 and had two more first downs. However, the Bulls committed five turnovers, including three fumbles.
• Quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson completed 16 of 33 pass attempts, good for 208 yards with one TD and one INT. Gunnar Gray connected on 6 of 9 for 54 yards (1 TD, 1 INT). 
• Nik McMillan led all receivers with seven catches for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jasaiah Gathings caught six balls for 85 yards. 
• The Bulls rushed for 135 yards, averaging 4.0 ypc. Terance Shelton Jr logged 11 trips for a total of 59 yards. WR Victor Snow's one carry went for 44 yards. 
• LB Red Murdock is second among MAC defenders in tackles (114 total, 11.4 per game). 
• Buffalo defensive coordinator Joe Bowen was a linebackers coach on the Miami staff during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. 
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• • • • • MIAMI (5-4, 4-2 MAC) is averaging 23.1 ppg on the year but managed just one field goal in its recent 24-3 home loss to Toledo. 
• R-Sr. backup Henry Hesson completed just 11 of 38 pass attempts totaling 147 yards with three interceptions. 
• R-Fr. Thomas Gotkowski is listed as the backup QB on this week's depth chart. 
• Kam Perry led MU receivers with four catches totaling 69 yards. Cole Weaver added three receptions for 41 yards. 
• Jordan Brunson led RedHawk rushing with 44 of the team's 75 yards on the ground. 
• Brunson is averaging 4.4 ypc on the year. 
Eli Blakey and Eli Coppess recorded interceptions against Toledo. Blakey also had a fumble recovery.
• Adam Trick ranks 15th nationally with 6.5 sacks. 
• Dom Dzioban has connected on a MAC-best 88.2 percent of his field goals (15 of 17, long of 51). 
• Keith Reynolds is second among MAC kick returners (31.7 ypr).