MIAMI FOOTBALL

Finn leads fourth quarter comeback win over WMU

Daquan Finn produced a total of 311 yards of offense. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- After getting largely stymied by a tough Western Michigan (4-4, 3-1 MAC) defense for three quarters, the Miami RedHawks (5-3, 4-0 MAC) rallied for 17 in the final stanza to pull out a 26-17 win Saturday at Yager Stadium.  The victory moved MU into sole possession of first place. However, the RedHawks must face Ohio, Toledo and Buffalo before finishing against Ball State.
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Saturday's  matchup brought together two teams with 3-0 MAC records. It also featured two of the league's better defenses, and those units showed their strengths through much of Saturday's battle. 

The Broncos held . . . 

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Kam Perry's 50-yard reception helped set up Miami's go-ahead touchdown. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . Miami to three first half  field goals and zero third period points. They also denied MU third down conversions on eight of 12 opportunities. It was one of the four successful conversions, however, that opened the door for Miami's winning drive.

The RedHawks still trailed 17-15 following a Western Michigan punt to MU's 12-yard line with 7:02 remaining. After an incompletion and Jordan Brunson run for no gain, quarterback Daquan Finn sprinted to the left sideline for 10 yards and a critical first down. 

Finn would again finish the day with a solid numbers, but this drive proved his finest moments. A 10-yard pass to Cole Weaver moved Miami to its 32, and one play later Finn lofted a deep pass to Kam Perry. The 50-yard completion took Miami to Western Michigan's 18. One-play later, Finn sprinted to the end zone to give MU a 21-17 edge.

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Adam Trick closes in on WMU quarterback Broc Lowry. Trick's forced fumble was the game's only turnover. (MVSmith/MRO)

A two-point play pass to Perry was initially ruled short, but review reversed the call. That gave MU a 23-17 advantage. 

Finn, who ran or passed the RedHawks forward for all 88 yards of the drive, finished the contest with 11 carries for 51 yards and a TD. He also completed 18 of 30 passes totaling 260 yards with one TD. 

Despite the quality defenses involved, there was only one turnover in the game, and that came on WMU's following drive. When quarterback Broc Lowry was sacked by Adam Trick, the ball came loose and was recovered by MU's Roosevelt Andrews. 

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Just 2:48 remained. However, the RedHawks managed just five yards on three rushes. With MU facing fourth and five at the Broncos 34, Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin had a decision to make -- punt or try a long field goal. 

Martin later told the media he considered Dom Dzioban one of the best pressure kickers he has seen. However, the distance was right at the edge of Dzioban's range. When he mentioned possibly pooch-punting to Dzioban, the kicker reassured him he could handle it. Given the opportunity, he put the 51-yard kick through uprights, and Miami went up by a commanding nine points (26-17). 

Western Michigan's final possession ended up fizzling out on downs with 51 seconds remaining. 

Cole Weaver had nine receptions for 96 yards. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES: 
• Lowry completed 16 of 28 passes, good for 172 yards and a touchdown.
He also led Bronco rushers with 20 carries totaling 82 yards. Jalen Buckley logged 10 carries for 45 yards.
• Talique Williams topped WMU receivers with five catches for 71 yards and a TD. Aveion Chenault caught four passes totaling 65 yards. 
• Dom Domschke hit a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter to put Western Michigan up 17-9. 
• Miami's Dzioban connected on all four of his field goal tries. His first two (44, 29 yards) gave MU a 6-0 lead. WMU took a 7-6 lead on Lowry's 43-yard TD pass to Williams with 5:17 left in the period. 
Dzioban put the RedHawks back in front with a 29-yard kick at 2:36. However,  Devin Miles returned the following kickoff 72 yards to set up a Bronco TD. With 49 seconds remaining, Western Michigan led 14-9.  
• Kam Perry (4 catches, 98 yards) and Cole Weaver (9 catches, 96 yards) led Miami receivers.
• Tight end Brian Shane caught his second TD pass in as many weeks. Finn's three-yard  toss over the middle was Miami's first touchdown of the game and pulled the RedHawks within two (15-13) with 10:31 left in the fourth quarter. 
• The Broncos defense had gone 11 quarters without surrendering a TD before MU broke through with two fourth quarter touchdowns.

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A trio of Miami defenders stop Bronco QB Broc Lowry. (MVSmith/MRO)

• The RedHawk defense registered three sacks and six TFL. WMU had two TFL. 
• Miami, which played without the services of Silas Walters, had three defenders with double-figure tackles and another with nine: Corban Hondru (14), Eli Blakey (11), Jackson Kuwatch (11) and Koy Beasley (9).
• Sefa Saipaia Jr. led the Bronco defense with 11 tackles. 
• Western Michigan did not draw a penalty in the game. Miami was flagged just twice for a total of 15 yards. 
• Miami held a 408-316 advantage in total yards.
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Devin Miles finds a lane on his 72-yard kick return. He finished the day with 218 yards on seven returns. (MVSmith/MRO)

• The RedHawks kick return defense typically has allowed either no return (i.e. touchbacks) or short returns. It was a different story against WMU, with Devin Miles returning seven kicks for a total of 218 yards. His 72-yard return set up Western Michigan's second touchdown.
​• It's been a bumpy ride for Miami's defense during late second quarter action in each of the past two weeks. The RedHawks surrendered two TDs to Eastern Michigan in the final 6:45 before intermission. They also gave up two touchdowns to Western Michigan in the final 5:17. In both cases, the second score came with under a minute to play before halftime.