TEAM: Miami RedHawks (7-6, 5-3 MAC IN 2021)
By Mike Smith
OVERVIEW: The RedHawks came tantalizingly close to their second MAC Championship game appearance in three years last season. Ultimately, a 48-47 overtime loss to Kent State in the regular season finale left Miami one victory short.
Both those teams are considered top contenders for this year’s MAC East crown, with MU getting the media preseason nod. However, several other programs seem to have improved and dozens of transfers across the conference landscape have made any preseason predictions even more speculative.
While the RedHawks have plenty of experience and talent on offense, the defense took some serious graduation and transfer hits. Head coach Chuck Martin, therefore, expects to use quite a few transfers, as well as younger and/or less experienced players during early action. As usual, MU has a grueling non-conference schedule, but the RedHawks have a habit of jelling for MAC competition. Of course, staying at least relatively healthy is a key factor for teams across the conference.
OVERVIEW: The RedHawks came tantalizingly close to their second MAC Championship game appearance in three years last season. Ultimately, a 48-47 overtime loss to Kent State in the regular season finale left Miami one victory short.
Both those teams are considered top contenders for this year’s MAC East crown, with MU getting the media preseason nod. However, several other programs seem to have improved and dozens of transfers across the conference landscape have made any preseason predictions even more speculative.
While the RedHawks have plenty of experience and talent on offense, the defense took some serious graduation and transfer hits. Head coach Chuck Martin, therefore, expects to use quite a few transfers, as well as younger and/or less experienced players during early action. As usual, MU has a grueling non-conference schedule, but the RedHawks have a habit of jelling for MAC competition. Of course, staying at least relatively healthy is a key factor for teams across the conference.
Brett Gabbert was among the MAC passing leaders in 2021. (MVSmith/MRO) OFFENSE:
► Miami led all MAC teams in passing last year, averaging 278.5 ypg overall and 318.4 ypg during conference play. The latter was 35 yards better than No. 2 Western Michigan. The Broncos were one spot better in pass efficiency.
► Junior quarterback Brett Gabbert returns after completing 59.5 percent of his passes overall in 2021. That was good for 2,648 yards and 26 touchdowns with six interceptions.
► Gabbert connected on 61.1 percent of his attempts in conference play. He missed two games overall due to injury. One of those games was against Eastern Michigan, which edged the RedHawks 13-12.
► Gabbert’s very capable backup, AJ Mayer, transferred out (Arkansas State). That likely puts Aveon Smith next in line. Martin said the freshman has made progress over spring ball and fall camp, but he can’t match Gabbert’s total package. Martin said his junior QB is deadly accurate, a quick decision maker with a quick release and tough. “That combination is pretty lethal,”
► A key loss on MU’s offense is WR Jack Sorenson (UDF - Cincinnati Bengals). The ultimate savvy receiver had a knack for finding open spaces and caught 76 balls for 1,406 yards with 10 TDs while earning First Team All-MAC honors last year. However, former Penn State wideout Mac Hippenhammer and Jalen Walker combined for 79 catches, 1,184 yards and 9 TDs as RedHawks. Miles Marshall, a 6-4, 212-pound junior who played at Indiana last year joins the wideout mix, while tight ends
Jack Coldiron and Nate Muersch owned some timely receptions. The latter tallied four touchdowns in five total catches.
► Miami led all MAC teams in passing last year, averaging 278.5 ypg overall and 318.4 ypg during conference play. The latter was 35 yards better than No. 2 Western Michigan. The Broncos were one spot better in pass efficiency.
► Junior quarterback Brett Gabbert returns after completing 59.5 percent of his passes overall in 2021. That was good for 2,648 yards and 26 touchdowns with six interceptions.
► Gabbert connected on 61.1 percent of his attempts in conference play. He missed two games overall due to injury. One of those games was against Eastern Michigan, which edged the RedHawks 13-12.
► Gabbert’s very capable backup, AJ Mayer, transferred out (Arkansas State). That likely puts Aveon Smith next in line. Martin said the freshman has made progress over spring ball and fall camp, but he can’t match Gabbert’s total package. Martin said his junior QB is deadly accurate, a quick decision maker with a quick release and tough. “That combination is pretty lethal,”
► A key loss on MU’s offense is WR Jack Sorenson (UDF - Cincinnati Bengals). The ultimate savvy receiver had a knack for finding open spaces and caught 76 balls for 1,406 yards with 10 TDs while earning First Team All-MAC honors last year. However, former Penn State wideout Mac Hippenhammer and Jalen Walker combined for 79 catches, 1,184 yards and 9 TDs as RedHawks. Miles Marshall, a 6-4, 212-pound junior who played at Indiana last year joins the wideout mix, while tight ends
Jack Coldiron and Nate Muersch owned some timely receptions. The latter tallied four touchdowns in five total catches.
Junior Rusty Feth is one of four returning starters along the offensive line (MVSmith/MRO) ► Running back is one of the deepest position groups on the squad. Jaylon Bester and Tyre Shelton return after battling injuries the last couple years. That has given valuable experience to names like Keyon Mozee, Kevin Davis and Kenny Tracy.
► Martin noted that MU recruits running backs who can also fit well in a passing game. That gives Gabbert plenty of targets. “We have very versatile backs,” Martin said. “We will use these guys every which way but loose.”
► MU has experience along the offensive line but is still relatively young. The RedHawks were just ninth in (MAC) rushing last year, but Martin was encouraged by Miami’s run game in a 27-14 bowl win over North Texas. The RedHawks ran for 203 yards while still passing for 230. That game ended with MU running the ball 14 times on a 15-play drive that drained 9:18 off the clock.
► The RedHawks allowed 12 sacks during conference play in 2021. That was fourth best among MAC teams. While not really considered a prototypical dual-threat QB, Gabbert is certainly capable of moving around and has picked up some key yardage to keep drives moving.
► Martin noted that MU recruits running backs who can also fit well in a passing game. That gives Gabbert plenty of targets. “We have very versatile backs,” Martin said. “We will use these guys every which way but loose.”
► MU has experience along the offensive line but is still relatively young. The RedHawks were just ninth in (MAC) rushing last year, but Martin was encouraged by Miami’s run game in a 27-14 bowl win over North Texas. The RedHawks ran for 203 yards while still passing for 230. That game ended with MU running the ball 14 times on a 15-play drive that drained 9:18 off the clock.
► The RedHawks allowed 12 sacks during conference play in 2021. That was fourth best among MAC teams. While not really considered a prototypical dual-threat QB, Gabbert is certainly capable of moving around and has picked up some key yardage to keep drives moving.
RYAN McWOOD DEFENSE:
► The RedHawks have developed a pretty strong defensive character, and last year they led MAC teams in scoring defense (22.0) during conference play. They were also first against the run and fourth in pass defense efficiency (MAC games).
► Spencer Nowinsky, Miami’s defensive coordinator, took the DC job at division rival Ohio University before this season. Bill Brechin, who has been with Miami nine years (the last four with safeties) adds defensive coordinator to his RedHawks title.
► Some of MU’s top defensive players are gone -- several joining NFL camps and some leaving via the transfer portal. Hardest hit was defensive end, safety and a First Team All-MAC linebacker (Ivan Pace Jr.).
► Austin Eartle and Kobe Hilton are returning starters up front. Pace, who registered a MAC-best 125 tackles, is gone, but Ryan McWood returns from injury. He led Miami in tackles during the 2019 season. His game-winning interception capped a 14-tackle performance when Miami beat Ball State in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. Redshirt sophomore Matthew Salopek, meanwhile, earned Second Team All-MAC honors in 2021 after notching 112 hits and 7.5 TFL. He had 17 tackles in a win at Ball State and recorded at least 10 tackles five times last year.
► Senior Ja’don Rucker-Furlow and sophomore Jaquez Warren return to anchor a secondary that will have several new faces. Junior DBs Nolan Johnson (East Carolina) and Michael Dowell (Michigan State) transferred in and are part of the position competition.
► “We lost a lot of guys, but we’ve got a lot of good ones coming back,” Martin said of the defense. “There are a lot of guys fighting for positions. We’re going to play a lot of guys, particularly early in the year, and let it sort out.”
► The RedHawks have developed a pretty strong defensive character, and last year they led MAC teams in scoring defense (22.0) during conference play. They were also first against the run and fourth in pass defense efficiency (MAC games).
► Spencer Nowinsky, Miami’s defensive coordinator, took the DC job at division rival Ohio University before this season. Bill Brechin, who has been with Miami nine years (the last four with safeties) adds defensive coordinator to his RedHawks title.
► Some of MU’s top defensive players are gone -- several joining NFL camps and some leaving via the transfer portal. Hardest hit was defensive end, safety and a First Team All-MAC linebacker (Ivan Pace Jr.).
► Austin Eartle and Kobe Hilton are returning starters up front. Pace, who registered a MAC-best 125 tackles, is gone, but Ryan McWood returns from injury. He led Miami in tackles during the 2019 season. His game-winning interception capped a 14-tackle performance when Miami beat Ball State in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. Redshirt sophomore Matthew Salopek, meanwhile, earned Second Team All-MAC honors in 2021 after notching 112 hits and 7.5 TFL. He had 17 tackles in a win at Ball State and recorded at least 10 tackles five times last year.
► Senior Ja’don Rucker-Furlow and sophomore Jaquez Warren return to anchor a secondary that will have several new faces. Junior DBs Nolan Johnson (East Carolina) and Michael Dowell (Michigan State) transferred in and are part of the position competition.
► “We lost a lot of guys, but we’ve got a lot of good ones coming back,” Martin said of the defense. “There are a lot of guys fighting for positions. We’re going to play a lot of guys, particularly early in the year, and let it sort out.”
Graham Nicholson has already proven he has a strong leg. (MVSmith/MRO) SPECIAL TEAMS:
► Sophomore Graham Nicholson hit 15-of-20 field goal attempts, with a long of 49 and three kicks of at least 46 yards. However, he went 36-of-40 on PATs. Dom Dzioban averaged 39.4 yards per punt. Walker has experience returning both kickoffs and punts.
MISC:
► Miami opens against a highly-regarded Kentucky team that was picked to finish second (behind Alabama) in the SEC preseason media poll.
► The RedHawks only home non-conference game is Sept. 10 against Robert Morris. After meeting Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium the following week, MU travels to Northwestern.
► Miami’s West Division opponents this year are Western Michigan, defending MAC champ Northern Illinois and Ball State.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Recent MAC division titles have often been decided by razor thin margins, and there are many reasons to believe there will be battles royal for both East and West divisional crowns in 2021. In such cases, health is key and depth is tested.
With AJ Mayer gone, Miami especially needs to protect Gabbert. Granted, Sorenson’s graduation is a loss, but the RedHawks still have plenty of receiving targets for the junior QB. Improvement along the front line would help the run game and give an experienced quarterback even better opportunities.
There are more questions on defense, especially at defensive end and along the back. Martin hopes to have positive answers in time for conference play, and MU hosts defending East champ Kent State early (Oct. 8). With Northern Illinois (away), Ball State Western Michigan crossing over to face Miami this year, the road to a championship and/or bowl game will be challenging. That, however, is life in the MAC these days.
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