MIAMI FOOTBALL

Gotkowski sparks 'O' while defense closes door on Bulls

RedHawks prevail in critical road test; end slide

Thomas Gotkowski

By MIKE SMITH
BUFFALO, NY -- Riding a rare two-game MAC losing streak and playing without their nearly season-long starting quarterback, the Miami RedHawks needed a spark for their critical matchup against Buffalo Tuesday at UB Stadium. 
​
They found that spark when redshirt freshman quarterback Thomas Gotkowski came off the bench to . . . 

Click Read More to continue 

---

. . . throw for one touchdown and run for another as Miami (6-5, 5-2 MAC) defeated the hosting Bulls 37-20.

[Gotkowski] got an opportunity tonight and obviously not only took advantage of it, but he helped us win a huge, huge football game," Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin observed. 

With the victory, Miami reached bowl eligibility and remained in the mix for a spot in the MAC championship game. The RedHawks are one of four teams with two MAC losses. Western Michigan has just one loss, which was against MU. 

It was Miami's second game without quarterback Dequan Finn, who reportedly moved on to train for the "next level." Backup Henry Hesson, who was at the helm last week in a 24-3 loss to Toledo, again got the start against Buffalo. However, MU's offense sputtered early and Gotkowski, who had not thrown a pass this season, entered for Miami's third possession. 

After Buffalo took a 3-0 lead on Jack Howe's 33-yard field goal, Miami responded with a five-play, 75 yard drive. Gotkowski hit Kenny Perry for two big passes to open and close the drive. The first covered 30 yards. Four plays later, Perry pulled in a 32-yard pass for Miami's first points. 

The RedHawks went up 14-3 two drives later as Gotkowski started the 62-yard drive with four straight completions covering 56 yards. He ended the possession with a 3-yard TD scamper. 

Kicker Dom Dzioban hit a 42-yard field goal with 1:51 left in the second quarter. It was the first of his three field goals on the night and gave MU a 17-3 lead. 

Buffalo would storm back to take a lead, starting with a 10-play drive that covered 75 yards in just 1:38. The drive was highlighted by several acrobatic catches and some key runs by quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson 

The senior would finish the night completing 24 of 48 passes totaling 303 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Both picks (by Silas Walters and Adrian Walker Jr.) came in the first half. Roberson also netted 25 yards rushing despite getting sacked six times by a fierce Miami rush that recorded 10 TFL overall. 

The Bulls maintained their momentum after intermission, tying the game at 17-all with a six-play, 75-yard drive to start the third quarter. A subsequent 47-yard Howes field goal at 6:50 gave Buffalo the lead. 

RedHawk senior running back Jordan Brunson brought momentum back to the Miami offense when he ripped off 60 yards to start MU's next possession. Two plays later, D'Shawntae Jones rammed his way into the end zone, and Miami moved back in front 24-20. It would not surrender the lead again. 

A 42-yard punt return by Lynel Billups-Williams late in the period gave MU a short field. Sophomore Cole Weaver made it even shorter with a leaping one-handed catch at the Buffalo one. Jones crashed in for his second TD on the next play. Cole would finish the night with a team-high five catches for 82 yards. 

An entire period remained. However, MU's defense tightened its grip another notch, and Bai Jobe's fumble recovery after another RedHawk sack ended Buffalo's next-to-last possession Two fourth quarter Dzioban field goals accounted for the game's final points. 

NOTES: 
• Miami will host Ball State (4-6, 3-3 MAC) Saturday, Nov. 29 in the season final for both teams. The Cardinals play Toledo  this Saturday
• Buffalo (5-6, 4-3 MAC) finishes with a home matchup against Ohio Friday, Nov. 28. The Bulls still need one more win for bowl elgibility. 
• Miami is bowl eligible for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. 
• Gotkowski finished with 13 completions on 23 throws, good for 185 yrds and a TD.
"It felt amazing coming out and being able to kind of prove what I've done in practice," Gotkowski said later. "I've been behind a couple guys and kind of working my way, but I've been taking mental reps. Being able to come out here and execute our game plan…felt amazing. It felt good to get into a little rhythm."
• Brunson carried 16 times for 123 yards to lead Miami rushing. 
• Buffalo was held to 46 yards rushing, but the Bulls registered 303 yards through the air. Nik McMilan caught eight balls totaling 147 yards. Victor Snow recorded nine catches for 111 yards and a TD. Jasaiah Gathings had one TD among his three receptions for 21 yards.