MIAMI FOOTBALL

RedHawks must remain in 'full speed ahead' mode

Improved Cardinals have been 'tough out'

Miami at Ball State -- 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Scheumann Stadium -- Muncie IN

By MIKE SMITH
Aside from MAC-undefeated Western Michigan, Miami has become one of the hotter teams in the MAC. Winners of three straight, the RedHawks have made themselves relevant again in the battle for a MAC title game berth. 
For now, each of those three wins were huge. They helped MU regain control of its own destiny. If, however, MU loses Tuesday, the value of those three victories drops to ... well, A LOT less.  Why? Because even one more MAC loss for Miami could knock the RedHawks out of contention. 
While the defending MAC champs may be gaining some notice, their opponent on Tuesday has been flying under the radar while proving to be a very tough out. Ball State's two MAC losses were . . .

. . . to Western Michigan (4-0 MAC) 45-42 and Central Michigan 37-34 back on Sept. 21 when the Chippewas were relatively healthy. 
Of course, the Cardinal's two MAC wins were also close -- Kent State 37-35 and Northern Illinois (25-23). 
Even last year's Redbird Rivalry game was a close affair, with Miami holding on for a 17-15 win after Kobe Hilton blocked BSU's go-ahead field goal try with 1:04 to play.
In short, there are lots of reasons to believe MU vs BSU will be a hard-fought, close game. But it is a MACtion night game, and it is election night (aka Anything Can Happen Night). The game is on ESPN, so for those who have already had more than enough of the politics thing, Miami vs Ball State is certainly an option. 

BALL STATE (3-6, 2-2 MAC)
>> The Cardinals have actually won their last two MAC outings. Sandwiched between the two was a 24-14 loss at Vanderbilt. The Commodores own wins over Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky and Virginia Tech -- among others. 
>> BSU jumped out to a 19-7 lead last week against Northern Illinois. However, the Huskies scored on a 54-yard pass just before halftime and led 23-22 with 15 seconds left in the contest. 
Two quick completions -- one for 34 yards -- took BSU to the Huskies 35-yard line. Jackson Courville then hit a 52-yard field goal for the win. 
>> Courville connected on four-of-five field goal tries and one-of-two PATs. 
>> Northern Illinois committed four turnovers, while BSU played turnover-free football. Keionte Newson and Myles Norwood recovered fumbles. Joey Stemler and George Udo recorded interceptions. 
>> Ball State QB Kadin Semonza completed 20-of-33 attempts, good for 211 yards and two TDs.
>> Tanner Koziol led Cardinal receivers with nine catches totaling 78 yards and two touchdowns. 
>> Ball State totaled 170 yards on the ground. Vaughn Pemberton led the way with 14 carries for 69 yards (4.9 ypc), while Braden Sloan logged 17 rushes totaling 51 yards. 
>> The Cardinals rank sixth among MAC teams in scoring (25.1 ppg) and are 11th in scoring defense (40.4 ppg). 
>> Ball State is sixth in pass offense (223.1 ypg) and 12th/last in pass defense (301.0 ypg). It is 11th in pass defense efficiency. 
>> Semonza is third among MAC quarterbacks in completion percentage (66.3%). 
>> Koziol is fourth among MAC receivers, averaging 72.5 ypg. His 64 receptions are third.

Keyon Mozee has been part of a rejuvenated Miami run game. (MVSmith/MRO)

MIAMI (4-4, 3-1 MAC)
>> The RedHawks are coming off a 46-7 win over Central Michigan. 
>> With CMU quarterback Joe Labas out, Miami's defense held the Chippewas to 62 yards passing. It also limited the visitors to 106 yards on the ground. Overall, MU outgained Central Michigan 518-168. 
>> CMU's only score came with a touchdown on its first possession. Miami scored in all four quarters: 3, 13, 10 and 20. 
>> The RedHawks averaged 7.1 ypc on the ground, while totaling 277 yards rushing. Keyon Mozee led the way, registering 15 carries a total of 120 yards.
>> Three different RedHawks had a carry of 60 yards or more. 
>> Mozee has recorded 100 or more yards rushing in each of Miami's last three games -- all wins. 
>> MU senior QB Brett Gabbert was injured in the first half. Backup Henry Hesson came in and completed 5-of-12 for 76 yards and one TD in second quarter relief. Gabbert returned after intermission. He finished the day completing 10-of-12, good for 165 yards and one touchdown. 
>> Javon Tracy led RedHawk receivers with five catches totaling 118 yards with one TD. Reggie Virgil caught four balls for 50 yards and a score.
>> Gabbert has not thrown an interception in his last three games -- all MU wins. He was sacked just three times in that span. All three were by Central Michigan last week. 
>> The RedHawks have not had an offensive turnover in their last three games -- all wins. The only MU turnover during that time was a special teams fumble on a punt return. Miami is now plus-3 in turnover margin for 2024. Ball State is plus-1. 

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