Kenny Young was the RedHawks leading Rusher and scored one of two Miami TDs. (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- “Close, but no Bell, and you can’t get much closer.”
That summarizes the Miami RedHawks latest bid to recover the Victory Bell, which the Cincinnati Bearcats carried away for a twelfth consecutive year after a stunning 21-17 victory.
It was a new level of frustration for MU, which has been within a touchdown of breaking the streak in each of head coach Chuck Martin’s four years at the Miami helm.
It was a "very, very difficult defeat -- the most difficult defeat I've had in 25 years -- probably by a wide margin," Martin said. "It's difficult becaue of the way our kids played. ... (They) played their hearts out."
After falling behind 3-0 on . . .
OXFORD, OH -- “Close, but no Bell, and you can’t get much closer.”
That summarizes the Miami RedHawks latest bid to recover the Victory Bell, which the Cincinnati Bearcats carried away for a twelfth consecutive year after a stunning 21-17 victory.
It was a new level of frustration for MU, which has been within a touchdown of breaking the streak in each of head coach Chuck Martin’s four years at the Miami helm.
It was a "very, very difficult defeat -- the most difficult defeat I've had in 25 years -- probably by a wide margin," Martin said. "It's difficult becaue of the way our kids played. ... (They) played their hearts out."
After falling behind 3-0 on . . .
Gus Rngland sprints for first down yardage. The junior QB was sacked three times and under pressure on other occasions. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . a UC field goal at 5:12 of the first quarter, MU responded with a 24-yard Gus Ragland to Luke Mayock touchdown pass on its next possession. Miami led throughout until the Bearcats Malik Clements picked off a Gus Ragland pass and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown with 1:07 remaining in the game.
Miami mounted a desperation drive in the final minute, reaching the UC 20. When an apparent defensive interference flag was thrown on Ragland’s third down pass to Luke Mayock in the end zone, it appeared the RedHawks would be in position for a winning score.
That flag, however, became one of several flags eventually pocketed after a meeting of officials. It left MU with fourth and five, and UC pressure on Ragland forced an incompletion that gave Cincinnati the ball with mere seconds left.
"We got the ball down the field quickly and had chances," Martin said. "I thought we were going to have first and goal at the 10. We end up with fourth-and-six . . . and we don't get it done."
Miami mounted a desperation drive in the final minute, reaching the UC 20. When an apparent defensive interference flag was thrown on Ragland’s third down pass to Luke Mayock in the end zone, it appeared the RedHawks would be in position for a winning score.
That flag, however, became one of several flags eventually pocketed after a meeting of officials. It left MU with fourth and five, and UC pressure on Ragland forced an incompletion that gave Cincinnati the ball with mere seconds left.
"We got the ball down the field quickly and had chances," Martin said. "I thought we were going to have first and goal at the 10. We end up with fourth-and-six . . . and we don't get it done."
After the loss, a somber Martin took the blame. "I know there was other stuff that happened, but with a minute left, a miscommunication with an official cost us the game, and that's on me," he said. "Obviously, I thought he knew we were calling time out, and he did not know"
A delay of game was called, which resulted in a five-yard penalty. That turned a third-and-two situation into a third and about seven. Ragland was intercepted on the next play, and UC took the lead.
"We hit the first down pass just like we wanted to. We were good enough on second down (that on) third down we can run the ball for a yard and a half and win the game.," Martin said. As for the interception, he added, "They doubled (Kenny Young) ... We had Luke (Mayock) one-on-one. Obviously, he (Ragland) didn't see the coverage."
A delay of game was called, which resulted in a five-yard penalty. That turned a third-and-two situation into a third and about seven. Ragland was intercepted on the next play, and UC took the lead.
"We hit the first down pass just like we wanted to. We were good enough on second down (that on) third down we can run the ball for a yard and a half and win the game.," Martin said. As for the interception, he added, "They doubled (Kenny Young) ... We had Luke (Mayock) one-on-one. Obviously, he (Ragland) didn't see the coverage."
As would be expected in an area rivalry, it was a hard-fought game, and some in-game injuries figured in the action. – especially late.
Maurice Thomas, a regular on the Miami kickoff receiving team, was unavailable due to injury down the stretch. (MVSmith/MRO) Miami, already short two key offensive players (James Gardner and Alonzo Smith) coming into the contest, lost kick returner Maurice Thomas on a second-half run. Consequently, after Cincinnati scored on a Hayden Moore to Kahill Lewis 20-yard pass (and added a two-point PAT) with 2:52 remaining in the game, Miami put true freshman Jaylen Bester back to receive in case Cincinnati decided to forego an on-side kick.
Bester, who had two carries with one fumble to his credit coming into the game, scrambled after a deep kick that bounced. He then decided to bring it out of the end zone and was tackled at the Miami five-yard line.
"We were down three guys on the hands team," Martin said. "He shouldn't have taken it out of the end zone, (but) he got nervous as a true freshman (might).
With its back against the wall, Miami needed just one first down to put the game away when Cincinnati could no longer stop the clock. Instead, UC scored its game winner on the third down interception.
Bester, who had two carries with one fumble to his credit coming into the game, scrambled after a deep kick that bounced. He then decided to bring it out of the end zone and was tackled at the Miami five-yard line.
"We were down three guys on the hands team," Martin said. "He shouldn't have taken it out of the end zone, (but) he got nervous as a true freshman (might).
With its back against the wall, Miami needed just one first down to put the game away when Cincinnati could no longer stop the clock. Instead, UC scored its game winner on the third down interception.
Luke Mayock pulls in a first quarter touchdown pass to put Miami in front. (MVSmith/MRO) Each team had one score in the first quarter and Miami took a 7-3 lead to intermission.
Coming out of the break, Cincinnati tried to extend its first possession by eschewing a punt on fourth-and one at its own 34. The RedHawks were ready, and stopped Moore short of the marker. Six plays later, Kenny Young went off left tackle for a one-yard touchdown.
With Smith basically unavailable, Young was a workhorse, carrying 18 times, but only netting 57 yards (3.2 ypc). Miami found the going tough all night, gaining only 70 rushing yards against a UC strength. Cincinnati, meanwhile, picked up 139 yards on 35 trips.
It was closer through the air. Hayden completed 24 of 43 for 222 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked once and threw two interceptions. Ragland connected on 16 of 31 with one TD and one interception. He was sacked three times and under pressure on a number of other occasions.
Coming out of the break, Cincinnati tried to extend its first possession by eschewing a punt on fourth-and one at its own 34. The RedHawks were ready, and stopped Moore short of the marker. Six plays later, Kenny Young went off left tackle for a one-yard touchdown.
With Smith basically unavailable, Young was a workhorse, carrying 18 times, but only netting 57 yards (3.2 ypc). Miami found the going tough all night, gaining only 70 rushing yards against a UC strength. Cincinnati, meanwhile, picked up 139 yards on 35 trips.
It was closer through the air. Hayden completed 24 of 43 for 222 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked once and threw two interceptions. Ragland connected on 16 of 31 with one TD and one interception. He was sacked three times and under pressure on a number of other occasions.
Tony Reid and Brad Koenig halt a Cincinnati ballcarrier. (MVSmith/MRO) Cincinnati had already missed one big opportunity for a score when a wide open receiver beyond the defense dropped a pass right into his hands. It missed another chance late in the third quarter. The ‘Cats reached Miami’s six before the defense stiffened. On third and goal, Hayden threw to the left side. Miami’s Cedric Asseh stepped into the lane and picked off the pass, weaving his way back out to the MU 46.
The RedHawks went three-and-out, however, and following a punt, Cincinnati went on an 11-play drive before MU’s defense again stiffened.
The Bearcats settled for a 36-yard Josh Pasley score to make it 14-6, but Miami matched that with a 13-play, 64-yard drive that finished with a 37-yard Sam Sloman field goal.
With just 4:45 left in the final quarter and a 17-6 lead, the RedHawks appeared to be Bell bound. Cincinnati’s late rally, however, took the bell in another direction.
Senior cornerback Heath Harding, who relished playing the rivalry in front of a large and vocal crowd at home, was one of many disappointed RedHawks
"For me, it was my last time, so it hurts. So, I don't think you ever put it behind you. You use it as fuel for not feeling like this ever again. ... I think we're going . . . to have a good week week (of practice) and come back stronger.
The RedHawks went three-and-out, however, and following a punt, Cincinnati went on an 11-play drive before MU’s defense again stiffened.
The Bearcats settled for a 36-yard Josh Pasley score to make it 14-6, but Miami matched that with a 13-play, 64-yard drive that finished with a 37-yard Sam Sloman field goal.
With just 4:45 left in the final quarter and a 17-6 lead, the RedHawks appeared to be Bell bound. Cincinnati’s late rally, however, took the bell in another direction.
Senior cornerback Heath Harding, who relished playing the rivalry in front of a large and vocal crowd at home, was one of many disappointed RedHawks
"For me, it was my last time, so it hurts. So, I don't think you ever put it behind you. You use it as fuel for not feeling like this ever again. ... I think we're going . . . to have a good week week (of practice) and come back stronger.
Mitch Palmer (56) and Jordan Rigg block Cincinnati DT Cortez Broughton. (MVSmith/MRO)
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