MIAMI FOOTBALL

Run game, turnovers costly as MU falls to 'Cats

Gabbert tosses two TDs in loss

Brett Gabbert completed 23 of 35 pass attempts, totaling 339 yards with two TDs and one interception. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
Brett Gabbert completed 23 of 35 pass attempts for 339 yards and two TDs (1 INT), but visiting Cincinnati (2-1) rode its run game to a 27-16 win over Miami (0-2) Saturday at Yager Stadium.
With the win, UC regained possession of the Victory Bell that Miami earned with an upset win in Clifton last year. The 'Cats now own a 61-60-7 edge in the series with only one more game currently scheduled. 
>>> Cincinnati (2-1) outgained Miami . . . 

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​. . . on the ground 126-24, with the Bearcats averaging 6.3 ypc overall. Senior Corey Kiner did most of the work, logging 21 carries totaling 126 yards with one TD. Evan Pryor had three rushes totaling 76 yards, with an early fourth quarter TD covering 65 yards. 
>>> That put the Bearcats up 24-10. Miami, which broke its early 2024 touchdown drought on a 58-yard Gabbert to Reggie Virgil bomb in the third period, responded to score again on a Cade McDonald 7-yard reception at 7:57, but a two-point try failed. 

Redshirt junior Will Jados looks for his next target. (MVSmith/MRO)

>>> After forcing a UC punt, Gabbert went deep on a 51-yard pass to McDonald. That put MU at Cincinnati's 18, but the next three plays yielded just six yards on a pass to Jack Coldiron. 
The Bearcats took over and moved 56 yards in seven plays for a 50-yard Nathan Hawks field goal that sealed the 27-16 verdict. ​
UC quarterback Brendan Sorsby completed 21 of 34 passes, good for 186 yards. Most were short to intermediate routes that, combined with the run game, helped  the 'Cats convert 7 of 15 third downs (and 1 of 1 on 4th down). The RedHawks converted 5 of 13 third downs and went 0 for 2 on fourth downs. 
>>> McDonald led Miami receivers with eight catches totaling 135 yards with one TD. 
>>> The RedHawks registered two costly turnovers. The first ended MU's opening drive as Gabbert threw over the middle while under pressure. Derek Canteen picked off the pass just inside the end zone. 
Early in the second quarter, MU's Dom Dzioban tied the game at three with a 30-yard field goal at 14:13. However, Cincinnati went back in front with the help of another MU turnover on its next possession. 

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Keyon Mozee slips through for a short gain. (MVSmith/MRO)

Miami was forced to punt. However, the snap was high and Alec Bevelhimer was unable to get a kick off. UC recovered at the RedHawk three and Sorsby hit Joe Royer for a TD on the next play. That allowed Cincinnati to take a 10-3 lead.

"We made a bunch of mistakes in the first half that were very costly," Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. 

The Bearcats nearly padded their lead later in the period. However, a 16-play, 95-yard drive came up empty when receiver Joe Royer fumbled just short of the goal line. With the ball rolling through (and out of) the end zone, Miami took over and ran out the clock. 

"He broke 17 tackles on one play and then finally the 18th guy knocked the ball out,"  Martin said. 

Still just seven back, Martin's message at intermission was, "It's 10-3 guys, and we have not played close to our best." 

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Eli Blakey (16) hurries UC QB Braden Sorsby while Adam Trick (20) tries to get around a Bearcat lineman. (MVsmith/MRO)

However, Cincinnati struck again on its first possession of the third quarter. Sorsby completed six passes in a 12-play, 75-yard drive. The final completion went to Tony Johnson for a 7-yard TD to put the visitors up 17-3. 

Miami responded just four plays into its next drive when Gabbert found Reggie Virgil deep over the middle.  Virgil took it in to complete the 58-yard play. With the PAT, MU trailed 17-10.

Cincinnati scored its decisive touchdown early in the fourth quarter. After a RedHawks punt, to the 'Cats 35,  Pryor took the drive's first play 65 yards for a score that to put UC up 24-10. 

Miami again responded -- this time with an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Gabbert hit McDonald on a 7-yard out pass for the TD, and Miami went for two. A run left failed, leaving MU with a 27-16 deficit. 

Reggie Virgil crosses the goal line with Miami's first touchdown of 2024. (MVSmith/MRO)

Cade McDonald led Miami receivers with eight catches totaling 135 yards with one TD. (MVSmith/MRO)

After forcing a quick Bearcat punt, Miami got its next drive started with a chunk play. Gabbert hit McDonald for 51 yards to the Cincinnati 18. However, the RedHawks managed just six more yards on four passes (three incomplete), and UC took over.
The Bearcats turned to Kiner, who carried the ball on all six plays (totaling 56 yards) before Hawks hit a 50-yard field goal to close scoring. 
>>> Xzavier Henderson topped Cincinnati receivers with 10 catches for a total of 108 yards. 
>>> Belvelhimer averaged 45.8 yards per book on four punts (long of 49). 
>>> Miami continues its run through the non-conference guntlet next week when it visits Notre Dame. The Irish took out their frustrations about losing to Northern Illinois one week earlier with a 66-7 pummeling of Purdue Saturday. Notre Dame rushed for 362 yards and six TDs. No. 18.