After facing a top ten team and Big Ten member in consecutive weeks, the Miami RedHawks return home to face the Long Island Sharks Saturday.
If the latter doesn’t seem familiar, it is mostly because LIU has only been part of the NCAA Division I FCS ranks since 2019.
They were winless last year and suffered another blow last December when starting quarterback Clay Beathard was stabbed to death outside a Nashville bar. Beathard was the younger brother of CJ Beathard (San Francisco 49ers) and grandson of NFL Hall of Famer Bobby Bethard.
Here is more on the two teams . . .
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY SHARKS (0-2)
>> LIU sports teams were previously known as the Pioneers, who participated in NCAA Division II and III competition since the mid-70s.
>> The Sharks are a member of the FCS Northeast Conference and did not play in 2020. However, the league held a spring season in 2021, with Long Island finishing 2-2. The losses were to Sacred Heart and Duquesne, while the wins were over Bryant and Merrimack.
>> The Sharks have waded into more dangerous waters to start their 2021 fall campaign. Both outings resulted in lopsided losses, with Florida International beating LIU 48-10 and West Virginia pounding out a 66-0 victory.
>> Long Island was held to 95 yards of offense against WVU and punted on 10 of 13 possessions. A lost fumble and missed field goal try accounted for two other possession stops.
>> LIU interim coach Jonathan Gill noted the Mountaineers advantages in size and speed. While it might not be quite the same against Miami Saturday, the Sharks will be facing a battle-tested team that is hungry for its first win of 2021. This is also Miami’s home opener.
>> Long Island ran 31 times (for 35 yards) and passed 20 times (60 yards). Quarterback Camden Orth completed 11-of-20 passes with no TDs or interceptions.
>> Derik Eugene caught four passes totaling 14 yards (with a long of 13 yards).
>> Jonathan DeBique led the Shark rushing attack with eight trips for 23 yards. Davon Wells had two carries for 11 total yards.
>> J. Brooks II and Matthew Molina combined for 16 tackles (10 solo) to lead the LIU defense. The Sharks recorded two sacks and four tfl.
>> The return of quarterback Brett Gabbert last week was a shot in the arm for MU’s offense. AJ Mayer saw significant action, as well, and the two combined to connect on 16-of-32 passing attempts, good for 237 yards, two TDs and one interception.
>> The second half was particularly impressive for Miami, which scored 17 straight points to pull within one at 21-20. After Minnesota came back with 10 of its own, the RedHawks added another TD. They were, however, unable to get the ball back for one more drive.
>> Miami owned a 341-287 advantage in total offense and 20-19 edge in first downs. However, MU committed the game’s only two turnovers. Both gave the Golden Gophers short fields for scores.
>> Minnesota did not complete a pass in the second half, but they were able to ride a run game that featured Treyson Potts. He took over for 2020 Big Ten Running Back of the Year Mo Ibrahim and shined while gaining 178 yards on 34 carries (5.2 ypc) with two TDs. It was Potts running that allowed UM to run out the clock and preserve a Gopher win.
>> With the RedHawks still down their top two running backs in Jaylon Bester and Tyre Shelton, head coach Chuck Martin has had to use some young faces in the backfield, led by freshman Keyon Mozee. Through two contests, Mozee is averaging 49.5 yards per contest and had 80 yards rushing in the season opener at Cincinnati.
>> Gabbert led Miami rushing with six carries for 27 yards. Three running backs combined for another 19 carries and 69 yards.
>> Jack Sorenson and Mac Hippenhammer caught one TD pass apiece and combined for eight receptions for 140 yards. Tight end Jack Coldiron added another 67 yards on four catches.
>> Matthew Salopek and Ivan Pace Jr. led Miami with nine tackles each. The defense had just one sack but was credited with 9.5 tackles for loss.
>> Freshman Graham Nicholson was good on both PATs and two field goals (long of 46).