MIAMI NOTES

Success at EMU came from many sources

First catch is first 2024 TD for two RedHawks

By MIKE SMITH
In his weekly press conference Monday, Miami football head coach Chuck Martin began by calling Saturday's win at Eastern Michigan "a total team effort."

They are words journalists hear all the time ... at least from winning coaches. They are also words fans typically hear from many winning coaches immediately following victories.

Yeah . . . yeah!! Coach-speak!!

For sure! But also right on the money for describing last Saturday's Miami win. Aside from a fumble while "trying to do to much" on a punt return, the RedHawks impressed in all three phases -- offense, defense and special teams.What's more, they did it with a deep dive into the roster. 

Miami's tough schedule has . . . 

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COLE WEAVER

. . . contributed to a run of injuries, and the RedHawks are past the two-deep of even a couple weeks ago. "Where we're at health-wise, anybody that can do anything to help us has to do it," Martin told the media. "We have starters hurt. We have their backups hurt. Sometimes we have the 3 deep (player) hurt." 

Among Saturday's contributors were junior tight end Connor Briggs and freshman wideout Cole Weaver. Both caught touchdown passes. In doing so, they recorded their first receptions as a RedHawk. Weaver, in fact, had been holding "personnel" signs on the sideline and asked Martin who would hold his signs if he went in during the second half. 

While heading home on the bus, Martin was viewing an EMU kickoff return and noticed eight of the 11 Miami players were freshmen. 

"We've got a lot of good players here that we are excited about (and) that are getting opportunities," Martin said. " I think they're excited about it, but they are learning on the fly. This isn't high school. ... Even on kickoff returns, this stuff happens fast.

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CONNOR BRIGGS

MORE ...

>>> One of the younger/less experienced units entering this season was MU's secondary. While EMU totaled 211 yards through the air, the RedHawks seemed to take away the big play and didn't allow any passing touchdowns. "The back end of our defense was way better -- way more active," Martin said. "A lot of young guys are starting to get their feet underneath them ... (and) starting to get some confidence."
>>> Providing some experience at the back end was Eli Blakey. The junior safety shined with 18 tackles (8 solo). "Eli had a great game," Martin said. "But even more than that, he was just all over the field with a tone of intent and (was) very sure of himself. He's just continuing to grow." 
>>> Right behind Blakey on the stat sheet was junior linebacker Corban Hondru, who stepped in for Ty Wise and recorded 16 tackles (5 solo, 1 tfl). 
>>> Wise didn't dress during the week but managed to get in on some third down rushes. "Even chipping in on third down was huge, because he is such a tremendous pass rusher," Martin said. "Wise finished with three tackles (1 solo, 1.5 sacks). 
>>> As usual, linebacker Matt Salopek was a key player for the MU defense. In addition to his eight tackles (6 solo), Salopek was in on both Eastern Michigan turnovers. Early in the second quarter, his hit jarred a ball loose  and Silas Walters recovered. It flipped field position, and MU went back in front (14-7) seven plays later on a Gabbert TD pass. 
Later in the quarter, Salopek picked off an Eagles pass. Four plays later, Gabbert hit Reggie Virgil on a 19-yard TD strike to give Miami a 21-0. It stayed that way when Jesus Gomez, EMU's outstanding kicker, missed a 37-yard boot just before intermission. 
>>> Virgil was hit hard on the TD, with his helmet coming off as he went to the ground. He did not return, and Martin said protocols will determine Virgil's availability for Saturday's battle against Ohio. "It's still too early, but he's doing well," Martin said Monday.
Center Charlie Nank also went down at EMU. His availability may be a Saturday decision. 
>>> Virgil led Miami receivers with three catches for 113 yards. Two receptions went for touchdowns, including a 75-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage.
>>> Javon Tracy recorded two catches totaling 39 yards, while Kam Perry grabbed one reception for 30 yards. 
>>> With the RedHawks scoring early and holding a 21-7 halftime lead, Gabbert threw just 13 passes, completing 10 for 222 yards and four TDs. It was his first game this year without an interception. He also ran five times for a total of 29 yards and was not sacked. "He looked like himself," Martin said. "He managed thegame really good. He ran good. He scrambled."
Martin continued, "The passing game is headed in the right direction. ... Our timing has not been good for a lot of different reasons, and we've been working really hard at it. Our timing was really good on Saturday. Our protection was good. Our routes were good. We caught the daylights out of the ball."
>>> Miami returns home for a family weekend game (3:30 p.m.) against Ohio Saturday. Although standout QB Kurtis Rourke is now at undefeated (No. 16) Indiana, the Bobcats have fared relatively well. They are 4-2 overall and 2-0 in MAC play. Ohio defeated Akron (30-10) and Central Michigan (27-25) over the last two weeks. 
Check MRO-plus for our game preview later this week!

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