MIAMI FOOTBALL

Signs point to tough battle in MU vs WMU matchup

Both teams among MAC defensive leaders

By MIKE SMITH
It could be the biggest game of the season.
That's right. As much as RedHawk fans look ahead to the rivalry matchup against Ohio -- especially when both teams are doing well -- this week's Miami versus Western Michigan contest could be more important. 
Just how important remains to be seen as the next month is PACKED with big games.
​Three teams . . . 

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. . . are currently undefeated in MAC play. In addition to Miami (3-0 MAC, 4-3 overall), Western Michigan (3-0 MAC, 4-3 overall) and Buffalo (3-0 MAC , 4-3 overall) have thus far avoided a conference loss. 
The RedHawks play both those schools in the next four weeks, with Ohio and Toledo in between. The latter two were often among preseason pics to reach the championship game. 

The next next four weeks are a true gauntet, and then MU finishes at home against Ball State, a team that upset Ohio two weeks ago. 

Of course, BSU also fell to Western Michigan 42-0 last Saturday, and it is the Broncos that Miami faces Saturday at Yager Stadium. Like MU, Western Michigan has won four straight since losing its first three non-conference games. Unlike Miami, WMU's remaining schedule seems a bit more forgiving. The Broncos will finish with road games at Central Michigan and Ohio before hosting Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan in the final two weeks. 

Understandably, coaches don't like to look ahead. You know -- play them one at a time and all that stuff. That IS the way to prepare, but it doesn't change the facts. One of those facts is, given MU's and WMU's schedules, getting a win Saturday would be a BIG step for Miami. Not only would it give the Broncos a loss, it would give MU a head-to-head tie-breaker edge. A loss would reverse those situations.

The RedHawks are still battling injuries at multiple spots, but its that time of year. As Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin told the media Monday, it's "all hands on deck" at this point. It a player is available and can help the team by being on the field, he probably will see action in some form. 

For what it's worth, the Broncos have been a particularly difficult matchup for MU in recent times. Although Miami leads the all-time series (38-24-1) and defeated WMU 34-21 in 2023, Western Michigan won eight straight from 2006-2022. 

• • • • •  WESTERN MICHIGAN (3-0 MAC, 4-3 overall) has allowed more than 14 points just once this year. That was a 33-30 overtime loss to North Texas in Week 2. Their fcurrent four-game winning streak began with a 14-13 win over Toledo, which leads all MAC teams in scoring offense (35.3 ppg) and scoring defense (14.3 ppg) . The Broncos, who are second in scoring defense (17.7 ppg).have surrendered just three points in the last two weeks. They defeated UMass 21-3 Oct. 6 and blasted Ball State 42-0 last week. 
"They play (like) the best defense in the league. ... They're not giving up anything -- rushing or passing," Martin said. "(it's) a lot of just punts ... and turnovers. ... They are big (and) athletic. They jare ust exactly what you like to have, and they are a menace up front."
• In the win over BSU, Western Michigan forced two turnovers and outgained the Cardinals 461-88. Ball State managed just 20 yards rushing. 
• WMU recorded five sacks and 10 TFL. Senior DE Nadame Tucker (6-3, 250)  shined again, recording 3.0 sacks in the game. He has 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the year. His 12.5 TFL is No. 1 among all MAC defenders. 
• Offensively, Western Michigan ranks sixth among MAC teams in scoring (22.9 ppg) and eighth in total offense (318.3 ypg). The Broncos are fifth in rushing (157.1 ypg) and 10th in passing (161.1 ypg). 
• Sophomore Broc Lowry is a dual threat quarterback. After watching some 30 hours of Bronco video, Martin emphasized Lowry is very capable in both roles. Against Ball State, he completed 23 of 27 passes, good for 241 yards and two TDs. He also led Bronco rushers with 13 carries for 108 yards and another TD. 
• In addition to Lowry, who has a team-high 83 carries, WMU uses Jalen Buckley and Devin Miles. The duo has combined for 128 carries, 446 yards and three scores. 
• Senior Talique Williams (5-9, 177) tops receivers with 20 catches totaling 284 yards. 
"They've got a bunch of different receivers (and) they spread the ball around kind of like us," Martin said. "They like to run the ball, and they try to throw the ball over your head."
• Senior kicker Palmer Domschke has been a staple for WMU's special teams and is six-of-nine on field goals (long of 49) this year. His career long is 52 yards (2022). 
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• • • • •  MIAMI (3-0 MAC, 4-3 overall) had allowed 14 or fewer points in three straight games before surrendering 30 to Eastern Michigan last week. That left MU fourth (MAC) in scoring defense (22.0 ppg).
• The RedHawks' biggest issue on defense last week was allowing several big plays through their air. Senior QB Noah Kim eventually completed 20 of 36 passes for 309 yards and four TDs. The first was a 51-yard bomb to R-Fr. Harold Mack. Another 50-yard pass to Mack just before halftime set up EMU's second TD, bringing the Eagles within seven (21-14). Kim's final two completions (23-, 21-yards) led to Eastern Michigan's final touchdown. 
• Miami fared better in stopping the run. The Eagles finished with 60-yards rushing. 
• MU picked off two passes -- one each by Corban Hondru and Eli Blakey. 
• The RedHawks offense produced a season-high 44 points against EMU. 
Miami's 454 yards of total offense included 159 yards passing as Dequan Finn completed 13 of 22 passes. Two went for touchdowns. 
• Finn also ran for two scores among his nine carries for 58 yards.
• Senior Jordan Brunson was the RedHawks workhorse, logging 23 carries for a total of 122 yards and one TD. Freshman D'Shawntae Jones, meanwhile, took over for a banged up Brunsen in the fourth quarter. Jones recorded seven carries, good for 66 yards and a score. 
• EMU was able to hold Miami receiving leader Kam Perry to one catch (9 yards), but tight end Brian Shane caught four balls for 56 yards, including his first career TD. 
• Running back Josh Ringer, who returned from an injury at Northern Illinois, also caught a touchdown pass. According to Martin, Ringer should be even more healthy this week, potentially giving the running backs unit more depth.
"Hats off to Ringer, because Ringer really didn't practice last week. He got a few reps on Thursday," Martin said. "(His) pass (protection) was great. He had a couple nice runs in the fourth quarter for us. So, he's getting ... way closer to being back to being himself." 
• Miami's special teams had a good day. Punter Pierse Stanton earned MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after averaging 53.3 yards per book on three punts. One went out of bounds after 65 yards. 
The punt block/return team also provided some points with a safety as EMU hiked a second half punt attempt out of the end zone.