The path ahead is crystal clear for Miami's RedHawks.
MU owns a 4-2 MAC record and is tied with Kent State for the top spot among MAC East games with two to play. The two teams will clash Nov. 27 on Flashes turf for a spot in the MAC Championship game one week later.
Prior to that, however, Miami hosts Bowling Green Tuesday. The RedHawks still need one more victory to become bowl eligible, so posting a win over BGSU has its own value.
While the Falcons have just three wins (one MAC), they can be dangerous. Two outings ago, they rolled up nearly 50 yards of offense while pulling off a road upset in Buffalo, 56-44. They'll be on the road again against Miami, but the RedHawks are undefeated at Yager Stadium. In fact, their last home loss was Sept. 29, 2018, when Western Michigan edged MU 40-39.
Tuesdayis the 75th meeting between the Falcons and the RedHawks in a series that started in 1941. Miami (OH) leads the all-time series with the BGSU 45-24-5. The last meeting was in 2019, when MU cruised to a 44-3 triumph at Yager Stadium.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (3-7, 1-5 MAC)
>> The Falcons three victories this year have been against Murray State, Minnesota and Buffalo. Among their seven setbacks are relatively close losses to Kent State (27-20) and Northern Illinois (34-26) - co-leaders of their respective divisions.
>> In the win over Buffalo, Matt McDonald completed 13 of 19 for 263 yards and four TDs. He also ran for a 47-yard score.
>> When the Falcons are playing well, they generate big plays. BGSU had four scoring plays of at least 30 yards against Buffalo. Three were at least 47 yards. Bowling Green also had a 0-2 turnover advantage.
>> Bowling Green is coming off a 49-17 home loss against I-75 rival Toledo. The Falcons trailed 14-10 in the second quarter, but UT scored five straight touchdowns -- three before intermission.
>> Toledo outgained the Falcons 539-196 and held the hosts to just 67 passing yards.
>> Bowling Green ranks last among MAC teams in total offense 319.9 ypg. It is fourth in total defense (391.5 ypg).
>> Terion Stewart, a 5-9, 210-pound freshman, is averaging 6.0 yards per carry and broke loose on a 77-yard touchdown run against Buffalo. He totaled 170 yards on 11 trips with two scores in that game.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (5-5, 4-2 MAC)
>> The RedHawks are still in position to seal a bowl bid and win a MAC championship. They did both in 2019 but only played three games in the Covid 2020 season.
>> Miami's two MAC losses this year are by a total of three points -- (13-12 at Eastern Michigan) and 35-33 at Ohio).
>> MU bounced back from the Ohio loss with a 45-18 triumph over Buffalo last week. Aided by a 4-1 turnover edge, the Redhawks out-gained Buffalo 536-361 on the night.
>> Sophomore quarterback Brett Gabbert missed time with an injury earlier this season but has been finding his form recently. He completed 20 of 24 passes in his return against Ball State and threw for almost 500 yards (492) with five TDs against Ohio. Last week, he went 21 of 28 for 351 yards and four touchdowns as Miami blasted Buffalo. He now leads the MAC in passing yards per game (255.1 ypg) and passing efficiency (164.2). His 18 passing TDs is just one off the lead despite the fact that Gabbert has playe din just seven games.
>> A key target for Miami passing is crafty senior Jack Sorenson, who is now No.1 among MAC receivers (109.8 ypg) and eight TDs. Mac Hippenhammer, a transfer from Penn State has also been productive. Tight end Andrew Homer registered five touchdowns among his 12 catches for 151 yards and Jack Coldiron has contributed, especially while Homer recovered from injury.
>> Injuries among RedHawk running backs carried over from 2020, so MU has used a running back by committee approach. With a young offensive line, the ground game has been a work in progress. Last week against Buffalo, however, the BRedHawks ran 36 times for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Keyon Mozee tops the bunch with 98 carries for 422 yards and four scores to date.
>> Aside from some early troubles against Ohio, the RedHawks defense has been impressive in conference play. Miami is third in total defense, second against the run and fifth in pass defense.
>> Miami has two players among the MAC's top four tacklers: Ivan Pace Jr. (9.2 per game) and Matthew Salopek (9.4 per game).
>> Miami has missed three PATs (11th MAC) and is 9 of 11 on field goal attempts.
Last week's game displayed a return to early season success as Graham Nicholson hit all seven tries (1 FB, 6 PATs).