MIAMI FOOTBALL

RedHawks face talented Rockets in Yager showdown

"Both teams have their backs against the wall" -- Martin

TOLEDO AT MIAMI (7 PM, ESPN2)
By MIKE SMITH
Look at the Mid-American Conference football statistics and you'll find the Toledo Rockets among the leaders in many categories. They are, in fact, No. 1 in scoring offense (32.9 ppg), scoring defense (14.6 ppg), total offense (4327.2 ypg), total defense (232.6 ypg), passing offense (259.4 ypg), passing defense (142.6 ypg) and rushing defense (90.0 ypg). They're not too bad rushing the ball, either, ranking third (177.8 ypg) among 13 teams. 

"They've played the most dominant football in this league. Their statistics are overwhelming," Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin said late last week. 

Considering the . . .

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. . . super-impressive numbers, its almost difficult to believe Toledo ISN'T in first place. However, the Rockets have, indeed, lost two MAC games. 

"They lost a knock-down, drag-out with Western (Michigan) and then killed Bowling Green but didn't win the game. They dominated the game. ... It was just one of those days where a lot of things didn't go their way," Martin said.

Another loss this week would be fatal.

That, however, might also be said for several other teams -- even some of the one-loss crowd. Miami is now among that bunch after falling in a hard-fought contest against rival Ohio in Athens last week. 

The RedHawks beat Western Michigan in Oxford two weeks ago and have a road trip to Buffalo waiting after this week's home game against UT. The four-week gauntlet is part of what Head Coach Chuck Martin called possibly the toughest four-week conference challenge of his coaching career.

As draining as the Ohio loss was, the RedHawks must find a way to bounce back against what is again a very athletic Toledo squad.

"They've got talented skill guys (all over and) are physical up front," Martin said, adding "Toledo throws it better than anybody we've seen ... since Rutgers."
 
Both Toledo losses this year came on the road -- one at Western Michigan (14-13) back in September and the other at arch-rival Bowling Green (28-23) Oct. 18. 

While MU vs UT football isn't an official rivalry game, it has recently brought together two of the top MAC programs for "heavyweight" battles. 
"They're coming in here, and both our backs are against the wall. Both of us have to win this game," Martin said of Wednesday's tilt. "It should be a great one." 
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• • • • • TOLEDO (5-4, 3-2 MAC) bounced back from a non-conference loss at Washington State Oct. 25, by pounding  Northern Illinois 42-3 last week. A 21-point second quarter put the Rockets in charge and they were able to substitute durng a second half in which they shut out the visitors. 
• UT outgained the Huskies 443-203 overall. 
• Northern Illinois was held to 62 yards rushing, averaging 1.7 ypc.
• Toledo QB Tucker Gleason completed 25 of 31 passes, good for 309 yards and two TDs. 
• Junior Vandeross III led UT receivers with six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. RB Chip Trayanum also had six receptions, adding 52 yards to his 36 yards rushing.
• Vandeross is second among all MAC receivers, averaging 78.3 ypg. He is first in receiving touchdowns (9). 
• The Rockets defense recorded four sacks and seven TFL against NIU. 
• Toledo punter Emilio Duran averaged 44.3 ypards per boot on four kicks. 
• UT has been somewhat prone to penalties, ranking last among MAC teams with 73 penalties for 648 yards (72.0 ypg).
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• • • • • MIAMI (5-4. 4-1 MAC) won five straight games after opening the season with three non-conference losses. 
• The RedHawks lost to Ohio 24-20 last week. Miami is 16-3 since 2016 when coming off of a loss.
• Ohio and Miami were tied 3-3 at intermission. Ohio led 10-6 after three periods, but the RedHawks went up 13-10 before Sieh Bangura returned a kickoff 97 yards to put the hosts back in front 17-13. 
Miami took the lead back one more time on a 27-yard Dequan Finn pass to Kam Perry with 9:29 left. After the two teams traded punts, Ohio went 75 yards in five plays to score the winning touchdown with a 49-yard pass play. 
• Finn completed 17 of 25 passes for 194 yards and two TDs. His one interception ended Miami's final possession. 
• Sophomore Cole Weaver led MU with six catches totaling 94 yards. 
• Jordan Brunson (15 carries, 49 yards) and D'Shantae Joes (6 carries, 46 yards) led Miami's ground game, which totaled 109 yards. 
• There was 4:32 left in the second period when MU had a first and goal at the Ohio two. Three straight rushes were repulsed before a penalty ended a fourth down try. Miami then settled for a field goal, eventually losing by four points. 
• Corban Hondru led the RedHawks defense, recording 17 tackles (13 in the first half). He had a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery in the third quarter. 
• Standout DB Silas Walters has missed the last couple games but is listed on this week's two-deep. 
• Kicker Dom Dzioban has made 87.5 percent of his field goals and has a long of 51 yards this year. 
• Thanks in part to Finn's scrambling skills, Miami has allowed just 10 sacks. That is tied with Toledo for fewest sacks allowed. 
• The RedHawks rank third in sacking opponents (26). 
• Miami ranks 11th (MAC) in penalties, (55.8 ypg).
• The RedHawks are sixth in red zone offense and 12th in red zone
defense. 
• Martin said he was particularly proud of the defense at Ohio. 
"We defended OU's quarterback and receiver -- Navarro and Hendrix -- ... as well as anybody has defended them all year."
we defended OU's quarterback and receiver -- Navarro and Hendrix. We defended them as well as anybody has defended them all year. 
we defended OU's quarterback and receiver -- Navarro and Hendrix. We defended them as well as anybody has defended them all year. 
• Having played Toledo three times in the last two years, there is some familiarity with the Rockets. However, as Martin pointed out, most of that familiarity is with the coaching staff or Finn, who was formerly with the Rockets. The huge turnover of Miami's roster this year means few of the current players have faced Toledo in action. 
• Both Ohio and Toledo have numerous offensive threats and can put up points in bunches. However, Martin noted they run different offenses and use a different style quarterback. 
• Martin indicated the RedHawks would give particular attention to kick return defense after surrendering one kickoff return for a score in each of the last two games. 
Noting UT has a history of "home runs" on returns, he said "Based on the last two weeks, they're going to be licking their chips, so we're going to be working hard on it this wee. ... We've got to get better at that."