Miami at Akron
Sat., Nov. 28 - 1 p.m. ET
Infocison Stadium - Akron, OH
ESPN3
Sat., Nov. 28 - 1 p.m. ET
Infocison Stadium - Akron, OH
ESPN3
By Mike Smith
Will they?
If so, can they?
At least one of those questions apply to the Miami RedHawks this week as they get back to action on the gridiron Saturday.
Miami's last scheduled contest -- a match-up with arch-rival Ohio - was canceled due to coronavirus-related issues. Having last played Nov. 10, will the RedHawks be rusty? If so, can they shake off the rust in time to leave Akron with the Miami's 700th all-time victory?
Akron, meanwhile, continues its quest to break a 20-game losing streak that spans all or part of three seasons. Thus far in 2020, UA has not been able to carry a winning formula through four quarters.
Click Read More to continue story . . .
Will they?
If so, can they?
At least one of those questions apply to the Miami RedHawks this week as they get back to action on the gridiron Saturday.
Miami's last scheduled contest -- a match-up with arch-rival Ohio - was canceled due to coronavirus-related issues. Having last played Nov. 10, will the RedHawks be rusty? If so, can they shake off the rust in time to leave Akron with the Miami's 700th all-time victory?
Akron, meanwhile, continues its quest to break a 20-game losing streak that spans all or part of three seasons. Thus far in 2020, UA has not been able to carry a winning formula through four quarters.
Click Read More to continue story . . .
LAST MEETING:
Miami built up a 17-3 halftime lead and held off Akron for a 20-17 victory. Sam Sloman kicked three field goals as MU gained its third straight victory in the series. Akron held the RedHawks to 117 yards through the air as Gabbert completed just 10-of-21 and was intercepted twice.
Miami, meanwhile, recorded a school record 12 sacks - six by freshman Ivan Pace. The RedHawks also limited UA to a net of five yards rushing.
AKRON ZIPS (0-3)
-- Two weeks ago, the Zips actually out-gained Ohio by over 100 yards and remained within seven points until the final 2:02 of a 24-10 Bobcat victory. Three Akron turnovers, however, proved costly. The Zips are last among MAC teams with a minus-5 turnover margin.
-- UA also stayed with one of the top MAC's offensive teams through most of two quarters in its last outing. It was 28-all before Kent State scored a go-ahead TD with 15 seconds left before the half. The Flashes then pulled away after halftime with five of the game's six second-half touchdowns.
-- Akron ranks last among MAC teams in scoring defense, allowing an average of 50.3 ppg.
It is 10th in total defense (513.7 ypg). That is one spot above Miami' (518 ypg).
-- Rushing has been a particular problem area, with UA surrendering 264.3 ground yards per outing. However, last week it was almost equal parts rushing and passing. Kent State totaled 750 total yards of offense, with 360 yards through the air and another 390 rushing.
-- UA was able to rush for 212 yards against KSU. Nearly all (202) were provided by junior RB Teon Dollard. He logged 28 carries and scored four touchdowns while averaging over seven yards per carry for the second consecutive week.
-- Freshman quarterback Zach Gibson has completed 60 percent (45/75) of his passes for 497 yards with two touchdowns. However, he has been intercepted four times and sacked on 11 occasions.
-- Nate Stewart (10 catches, 156 yards 1TD) and Tony Grimes Jr. (10 catches, 117 yards) are the Zips top receivers.
-- Linebacker Bubba Arslanian tops Akron defenders with 32 stops ((19 solo). He also has two sacks and one fumble recovery.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (1-1)
-- The RedHawks are defending MAC East champs, but their chances of repeating took a big hit when they lost to Buffalo 42-10 Nov. 10. That followed a dramatic 38-31 victory over Ball State in Week One.
-- MU had one big casualty in the opener as sophomore quarterback Brett Gabbert left in the second quarter with a concussion. A.J. Mayer replaced Gabbert and helped Miami come from behind for the win.
-- Mayer, a redshirt sophomore, started against Buffalo the following week. However, his numbers were significantly off the previous week. Against UB, he completed just 7-of-25 (28%) for 116 yards with one TD and one interception. Several dropped balls, however, contributed to those passing numbers.
-- Miami's go-to receiver has been fifth-year senior Jack Sorenson. He had three of MU's eight completions against Buffalo. His 10 catches for 177 yards over two games leads the receiving group. Jalen Walker has two catches, with both going for scores. Tight end Jack Coldiron had two TDs against Ball State in Miami's opener.
-- MU's running back group was decimated by injuries even before the opener. Zach Kahn has been filling in, but R-Jr. Davion Johnson was listed atop this week's depth chart. If healthy, it could be a shot in the arm for a RedHawks running game that ranks 10th among MAC teams.
-- After facing two high-octane offenses in Ball State and Buffalo, the RedHawks (36.5 ppg) are eighth in scoring defense. With a key contest against potent Kent State looming Dec. 5, MU will be looking to improve its defensive results. That is especially true of pass defense. Miami ranks last among MAC teams, allowing 331 yards per game through the air. The RedHawks are 11th in pass defense efficiency.
-- Defensively, senior linebacker Ryan McWood has been a key playmaker. The former walk-on's 14.0 tackles per game average is best among MAC defenders. His late-game interception and return set up the winning score in Miami's victory over Ball State.
Miami built up a 17-3 halftime lead and held off Akron for a 20-17 victory. Sam Sloman kicked three field goals as MU gained its third straight victory in the series. Akron held the RedHawks to 117 yards through the air as Gabbert completed just 10-of-21 and was intercepted twice.
Miami, meanwhile, recorded a school record 12 sacks - six by freshman Ivan Pace. The RedHawks also limited UA to a net of five yards rushing.
AKRON ZIPS (0-3)
-- Two weeks ago, the Zips actually out-gained Ohio by over 100 yards and remained within seven points until the final 2:02 of a 24-10 Bobcat victory. Three Akron turnovers, however, proved costly. The Zips are last among MAC teams with a minus-5 turnover margin.
-- UA also stayed with one of the top MAC's offensive teams through most of two quarters in its last outing. It was 28-all before Kent State scored a go-ahead TD with 15 seconds left before the half. The Flashes then pulled away after halftime with five of the game's six second-half touchdowns.
-- Akron ranks last among MAC teams in scoring defense, allowing an average of 50.3 ppg.
It is 10th in total defense (513.7 ypg). That is one spot above Miami' (518 ypg).
-- Rushing has been a particular problem area, with UA surrendering 264.3 ground yards per outing. However, last week it was almost equal parts rushing and passing. Kent State totaled 750 total yards of offense, with 360 yards through the air and another 390 rushing.
-- UA was able to rush for 212 yards against KSU. Nearly all (202) were provided by junior RB Teon Dollard. He logged 28 carries and scored four touchdowns while averaging over seven yards per carry for the second consecutive week.
-- Freshman quarterback Zach Gibson has completed 60 percent (45/75) of his passes for 497 yards with two touchdowns. However, he has been intercepted four times and sacked on 11 occasions.
-- Nate Stewart (10 catches, 156 yards 1TD) and Tony Grimes Jr. (10 catches, 117 yards) are the Zips top receivers.
-- Linebacker Bubba Arslanian tops Akron defenders with 32 stops ((19 solo). He also has two sacks and one fumble recovery.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (1-1)
-- The RedHawks are defending MAC East champs, but their chances of repeating took a big hit when they lost to Buffalo 42-10 Nov. 10. That followed a dramatic 38-31 victory over Ball State in Week One.
-- MU had one big casualty in the opener as sophomore quarterback Brett Gabbert left in the second quarter with a concussion. A.J. Mayer replaced Gabbert and helped Miami come from behind for the win.
-- Mayer, a redshirt sophomore, started against Buffalo the following week. However, his numbers were significantly off the previous week. Against UB, he completed just 7-of-25 (28%) for 116 yards with one TD and one interception. Several dropped balls, however, contributed to those passing numbers.
-- Miami's go-to receiver has been fifth-year senior Jack Sorenson. He had three of MU's eight completions against Buffalo. His 10 catches for 177 yards over two games leads the receiving group. Jalen Walker has two catches, with both going for scores. Tight end Jack Coldiron had two TDs against Ball State in Miami's opener.
-- MU's running back group was decimated by injuries even before the opener. Zach Kahn has been filling in, but R-Jr. Davion Johnson was listed atop this week's depth chart. If healthy, it could be a shot in the arm for a RedHawks running game that ranks 10th among MAC teams.
-- After facing two high-octane offenses in Ball State and Buffalo, the RedHawks (36.5 ppg) are eighth in scoring defense. With a key contest against potent Kent State looming Dec. 5, MU will be looking to improve its defensive results. That is especially true of pass defense. Miami ranks last among MAC teams, allowing 331 yards per game through the air. The RedHawks are 11th in pass defense efficiency.
-- Defensively, senior linebacker Ryan McWood has been a key playmaker. The former walk-on's 14.0 tackles per game average is best among MAC defenders. His late-game interception and return set up the winning score in Miami's victory over Ball State.
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