MIAMI/MAC FOOTBALL

'Survivor' RedHawks face solid Broncos in rematch

TIME: 12:00 p.m.      TV: ESPN

By MIKE SMITH
Head-to-head results are an often-used clue in game predictions.  Why not? There is a reason why Team A defeated Team B.

Such reasons, however, can be anything from the bounce of a football to turn of a head. Moreover, injuries/personnel issues, game plan adjustments and even mindsets are among a multitude of changes that might affect a second meeting between the same opponents -- especially if those teams are of relatively equal skills.

Miami football Head Coach Chuck Martin knows . . . 

. . . about these things and the perils of second meetings. His 2023 team lost to Toledo during regular season play and defeated the Rockets in a championship game rematch. One year later, Martin's RedHawks lost to an Ohio team it had defeated earlier that season. 

With its win over Ball State last Saturday, Miami earned a third consecutive spot in the MAC Championship game. It will face Western Michigan, a team it defeated 26-17 in Oxford back on Oct. 25. 

It was WMU's only conference loss of 2025. Miami, meanwhile, lost two straight (Ohio and Toledo) followings its win over the Broncos. That forced MU to scramble down the stretch. A half dozen teams were in the mix for the second title game berth at one point. Although MU lost to both Toledo and Ohio, it had the best credential in a three-team tie-breaker, with Miami's win over WMU proving decisive.

The RedHawks team that will face Western Michigan Saturday is markedly different than the MU squad who prevailed in October's meeting. Injuries have continued to decimate Miami, which has lost key performers on both sides of the ball 

At least offensively, the biggest Miami change since October's matchup is at quarterback. Veteran DeQuan Finn completed 18 of 30 passes, good for 260 yards with one TD and added 52 yards (with 1 TD) rushing against Western Michigan. 

Finn, however, left the team after MU's loss at Ohio. Miami then lost to Toledo the following week behind backup Henry Hesson. 

Redshirt freshman Thomas Gotkowski has led the RedHawks to a pair of crucial victories. (MVSmith/MRO)

Just as the season seemed to be spiraling away, however, third-stringer Thomas Gotkowski entered the picture. He played just over three quarters of a victory over Buffalo and started Saturday's crucial win over Ball State. In the latter, he completed 12 of 24 pass attempts totaling 228 yards with three touchdowns. 

Through two games, the redshirt freshman has played turnover-free football and was sacked just once in each contest. 

"He's been pretty good at everything. He's taking care of the ball ... so far, so good. He's throwng the ball, and he's ran the ball," Martin said. "He's seen pressure ... and handled the pressure and made good decisions. . . Obviously, Thomas has been huge. ... He got his chance, and he didn't pass it by.  He's done a great job for two weeks. 
.   
Helping Gotkowski's transition to No. 1 is a RedHawk running game that is its own story. Veteran Kenny Tracy was lost in Miami's first conference matchup (NIU Oct. 10). He was averaging 5.6 ypc. before his injury.. The replacement has been running back by committee. That said, it has been a very successful committee. 

Senior Jordan Brunson (6-0, 233) and and freshman D'Shawntae Jones (5-10, 245) have given MU a very strong inside game. They combined for 22 carries, 101 yards and 2 TDs as Miami ran for 232 yards against Ball State. 

Contributing to the run game success is an offensive line that started 2025 with new faces and question marks everywhere. It is ending the season as one of the team's healthiest units and 12 games worth of experience.

---

Devin Miles 72-yard kickoff return set up one Bronco touchdown. (MVsmith/MRO)

MORE:

• Western Michigan defensive end Nadame Tucker was named Vern Smith Leadership Award and MAC Defensive Player of the Year. 

• Both Miami and Western Michigan have been among the league's top defensive teams 

• The Bronco's are second among MAC teams in scoring defense (19.7 ppg). Miami is third (21.9 ppg). 

• WMU is third against the run (126.3 ypg) and third defending the pass (175.9 ypg). 

• Miami's defense is second versus the run (118.1 ypg) and seventh against the pass. (205.3 ypg). 

"Their defense in eight conference games has given up over 300 yards only twice all year., which is really, really good," Martin noted. "You're going to win a lot of football games that way."

(As for) "their offense, they run, run, run  the football, and then they throw it over your head -- just like any good running team does. There's a reason they're 7-1." 

• WMU ranks second among MAC teams in rushing (189.2 ypg). It is 11th in passing (142.3 ypg). 

Broc Lowry's running ability has been a key piece of WMU's offense. (MVSmith/MRO)

• Quarterback Broc Lowry was named 2025 MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He completed 63.5 percent of 230 passes during the regular season, good for 1,575 yards with seven TDs and two interceptions. 
He also led WMU in rushing, logging 174 carries for 875 yards (5.0 ypc) and 14 touchdowns. 

• Western Michigan's offense has averaged 23.7 ppg. (7th MAC) this season. The Broncos are eighth in total offense (331.5 ypg). 

• Junior RB Jalen Buckley (5-11, 210) has averaged 4.2 ypc (152/636, 6 TDs) this season, 

• Senior Talique Williams (5-9, 177) is WMU's leading receiver (35 receptions, 478 yards, 2 TDs). 

---

FINAL THOUGHTS: 
Miami's presence in a third straight title game is beyond remarkable, primarily because of the RedHawks huge personnel turnover following 2024 success. However, MU has somehow survived massive attrition - mostly by injury, but also by Finn's sudden departure. 


It's quite understandable, therefore, that Western Michigan is favored. The Broncos won seven of their last eight games, with the setback at Miami  being the sole blemish. The second matchup will pit WMU against a RedHawks team with several key differences. 
What seems like a neutral site might not be all THAT neutral. Western Michigan's participation in the 2016 game played a big part in setting at attendance record (45,615) for that event. 
Very few of the RedHawks were active participants in last year's championship game. How will they react in a BIG moment? 
WMU should have some confidence with the league's best conference record and might have a little "revenge" motivation. Certainly, the last couple years have proved regular season results can't predict championship game outcomes. 
As for the RedHawks, they have proven to be survivors. Miami somehow navigated a brutal schedule despite a host of issues. Gotkowski's emergence has reinvigorated the offense. How well will that offense perform in a championship game environment. For what it's worth, MU got there by winning the final two games with its back against the wall. 
As usual, the RedHawks would like to get an early lead and build on that while the defense and special teams create opportunities. Western Michigan's defense is solid, so if Lowry is productive while running WMU's offense, the Broncos should be in good shape. 
Turnovers -- either way -- could be game changers. Likewise with special teams. As Martin noted this week, the first meeting came down to a few plays late in the game. Especially if Gotkowski holds up against a good defense, the second meeting could also be close.

Dom Dzioban earned first team all-MAC honors and is a reliable special teams weapon. (MVSmith.MRO)

As for the RedHawks, they have proven to be survivors. Miami somehow navigated a brutal schedule despite a host of issues. Gotkowski's emergence has reinvigorated the offense. How well will that offense perform in a championship game environment. For what it's worth, MU got there by winning the final two games with its back against the wall. 
As usual, the RedHawks would like to get an early lead and build on that while the defense and special teams create opportunities. Western Michigan's defense is solid, so if Lowry is productive while running WMU's offense, the Broncos should be in good shape. 
Turnovers -- either way -- could be game changers. Likewise with special teams. As Martin noted this week, the first meeting came down to a few plays late in the game. Especially if Gotkowski holds up against a good defense, the second meeting could also be close.

---