MIAMI at OHIO -- Battle of the Bricks
Tuesday, Nov. 2 -- 7:30 p.m. ET
Peden Stadium - Athens, OH
ESPNU - Mike Couzens and Dustin Fox
By MIKE SMITH
Miami RedHawks Head Coach Chuck Martin acknowledges some very casual fans might mistake the Ohio Bobcats 1-7 (1-3 MAC) for weakness. He's not buying any of that, nor is he letting his team.
"This is the MAC," Martin said. You play a tough non-league schedule ... and if you don't get off to a good start in the league, it looks like you are no good. ...(but) they are 11 points from being 4-0 in the league right now."
Martin noted the Bobcats have MAC losses by 1, 3 and 7 points. The latter was last week against Kent State when early turnovers fueled the Flashes, who built up 24-7 lead before Ohio's offense kicked in for 20 second half points.
Miami, meanwhile, trailed twice last week against Ball State. However, the RedHawks kept BSU close and traded leads a couple times before pulling ahead in the fourth period and sealing the 24-17 victory with Sterling Weatherford's clutch end zone interception in the final minute.
In a rivalry known as the Battle of the Bricks, MU owns a 54-40-2 advantage in the all-time series and is 25-22-0 in Athens. The two teams have competed every year since 1945 until last year. Covid wiped out that meeting. Miami posted a 24-21 victory in the last meeting (2019), which was also in Athens.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
MIAMI REDHAWKS (4-4, 3-1 MAC)
>> Miami has won the last two meetings with Ball State thanks, in no small part, to key interceptions down the stretch. Ryan Wood intercepted Drew Plitt and set up the winning score in a 38-31 in last year. It was Ball State's only loss of 2020. Wood is out for the remainder of 2021 with an injury, but Weatherford stepped up with the pick this time around.
Martin noted the Cardinals had already cashed for big gains similar plays earlier. "This is the third time (that they ran it), and Sterling basically decided 'We're not going to let them throw that again,'" Martin said. He "makes a big time interception, obviously in a huge moment."
>> Key goals for Miami against BSU included shortening the game and limiting the damage by Plitt and standout WR Justin Hall. Martin was pleased on both counts. Ball State had 10 possessions and used 24.28 of clock time. Miami had the ball for 34:32. As for ever-dangerous Hall, he had four receptions for 32 yards and one TD, as well as four runs totaling nine yards. Equally important, he was unable to break loose on one kickoff and two punt returns. The senior is second among all MAC players in all-purpose yards (133.4 ypg). We "did a really good job (on him)," Martin said. "There was no home run. He's had big plays against us since his freshman year. ... They do such a good job of using him in different ways, but we had a good plan."
>> Miami's defense has been a strong point on the year and ranks second in scoring defense (22.3 ppg). However, Martin has seen improvement on the offensive side. MU got 126 yards from its run game against Ball State and added another 234 through the air. Quarterback Brett Gabbert, making his first start since Week 5, shook off any rust to complete 20 of 24 for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
It "was really amazing, since he hasn't really thrown a live ball since the first half of the Central Michigan game," martin said. "He's really been on the shelf just resting." He added, "The last two weeks, we're executing better. It starts with the quarterback, but its felt (like that) through the whole offense."
>> The RedHawks ground game is run "by committee," with a rotation of several backs. Tyre Shelton, who has been returning from injury, led MU with 14 carries for 46 yards against Ball State. Kevin Davis had 43 yards on just three trips, while Keyon Mozee contributed 32 yards and one TD among his 12 carries.
>> Senior Jack Sorenson recorded his third straight game with over 100 receiving years, pulling down eight balls for a total of 138 yards against Ball State. One of those receptions came on a 27-yard pass from running back Jalen Walker to set up MU's first touchdown.
>> Matthew Salopek (17, 2 TFL) and Ivan Pace Jr. (10, 1.5 TFL) had big games for Miami's defense, combining for 27 tackles.
>> Looking ahead to Ohio, Martin said he expects "a dogfight." Although venerable head coach Frank Solich has retired, new head man Tim Albin was promoted from Solich's staff, which remained virtually intact. "They're running similar stuff," Martin said, adding that, as usual, the Bobcats are usually good for a few wrinkles and/or trick plays along the way.
"You're on the road Tuesday night in Athens. It's not going to be an easy place to play," he continued. "We've got to have the same mindset we've had for the last four weeks and just keep grinding and find a way (to win)."
OHIO BOBCATS (1-7, 1-3 MAC)
>> The 'Cats are out to break a three-game losing streak. Following a conference-opening victory over Akron, Ohio fell to Central Michigan (30-27, Buffalo (27-26) and Kent State (34-27).
>> Both KSU and Ohio finished with 457 yards of total offense and were almost even in first downs (KSU 28, Ohio 27). The key difference was three Bobcat turnovers to none for Kent State.
>> The 'Cats totaled 322 yards passing and 135 on the ground. Kurtis Rourke completed 31 of 38 passing attempts for 308 yards with one interception.
>> All three Ohio TDs came on the ground, with Rourke running to paydirt twice. De'Montre Tuggle topped Bobcat rushers with 59 yards and one TD among his 13 carries.
>> Eleven different Bobcats caught at least one pass. Isiah Cox and O'Shaan Allison led the way with seven receptions each for a combined 125 yards.
>> Cannon Blauser (14 tackles, 1.5 TFL) and Bryce Houston (11 tackles, .5 TFL) led the defensive effort.
>> Stephen Johnson hit both field goal tries (long of 23) and all three PATs.
>> Ohio ranks 10th among MAC teams in scoring offense (21.1 ppg) and ninth in scoring defense (31.1 ppg).
>> The 'Cats are fourth in rushing (193.4 ypg) and 11th in pass offense (166.8 ypg) .
>> Tuggle is fourth among MAC rushers (74.1 ypg).
>> Ohio is last among MAC teams in defending the run, surrendering 224.5 ypg. It is fourth against the pass (202.5) and seventh in pass defense efficiency.
Peden Stadium - Athens, OH
ESPNU - Mike Couzens and Dustin Fox
By MIKE SMITH
Miami RedHawks Head Coach Chuck Martin acknowledges some very casual fans might mistake the Ohio Bobcats 1-7 (1-3 MAC) for weakness. He's not buying any of that, nor is he letting his team.
"This is the MAC," Martin said. You play a tough non-league schedule ... and if you don't get off to a good start in the league, it looks like you are no good. ...(but) they are 11 points from being 4-0 in the league right now."
Martin noted the Bobcats have MAC losses by 1, 3 and 7 points. The latter was last week against Kent State when early turnovers fueled the Flashes, who built up 24-7 lead before Ohio's offense kicked in for 20 second half points.
Miami, meanwhile, trailed twice last week against Ball State. However, the RedHawks kept BSU close and traded leads a couple times before pulling ahead in the fourth period and sealing the 24-17 victory with Sterling Weatherford's clutch end zone interception in the final minute.
In a rivalry known as the Battle of the Bricks, MU owns a 54-40-2 advantage in the all-time series and is 25-22-0 in Athens. The two teams have competed every year since 1945 until last year. Covid wiped out that meeting. Miami posted a 24-21 victory in the last meeting (2019), which was also in Athens.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
MIAMI REDHAWKS (4-4, 3-1 MAC)
>> Miami has won the last two meetings with Ball State thanks, in no small part, to key interceptions down the stretch. Ryan Wood intercepted Drew Plitt and set up the winning score in a 38-31 in last year. It was Ball State's only loss of 2020. Wood is out for the remainder of 2021 with an injury, but Weatherford stepped up with the pick this time around.
Martin noted the Cardinals had already cashed for big gains similar plays earlier. "This is the third time (that they ran it), and Sterling basically decided 'We're not going to let them throw that again,'" Martin said. He "makes a big time interception, obviously in a huge moment."
>> Key goals for Miami against BSU included shortening the game and limiting the damage by Plitt and standout WR Justin Hall. Martin was pleased on both counts. Ball State had 10 possessions and used 24.28 of clock time. Miami had the ball for 34:32. As for ever-dangerous Hall, he had four receptions for 32 yards and one TD, as well as four runs totaling nine yards. Equally important, he was unable to break loose on one kickoff and two punt returns. The senior is second among all MAC players in all-purpose yards (133.4 ypg). We "did a really good job (on him)," Martin said. "There was no home run. He's had big plays against us since his freshman year. ... They do such a good job of using him in different ways, but we had a good plan."
>> Miami's defense has been a strong point on the year and ranks second in scoring defense (22.3 ppg). However, Martin has seen improvement on the offensive side. MU got 126 yards from its run game against Ball State and added another 234 through the air. Quarterback Brett Gabbert, making his first start since Week 5, shook off any rust to complete 20 of 24 for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
It "was really amazing, since he hasn't really thrown a live ball since the first half of the Central Michigan game," martin said. "He's really been on the shelf just resting." He added, "The last two weeks, we're executing better. It starts with the quarterback, but its felt (like that) through the whole offense."
>> The RedHawks ground game is run "by committee," with a rotation of several backs. Tyre Shelton, who has been returning from injury, led MU with 14 carries for 46 yards against Ball State. Kevin Davis had 43 yards on just three trips, while Keyon Mozee contributed 32 yards and one TD among his 12 carries.
>> Senior Jack Sorenson recorded his third straight game with over 100 receiving years, pulling down eight balls for a total of 138 yards against Ball State. One of those receptions came on a 27-yard pass from running back Jalen Walker to set up MU's first touchdown.
>> Matthew Salopek (17, 2 TFL) and Ivan Pace Jr. (10, 1.5 TFL) had big games for Miami's defense, combining for 27 tackles.
>> Looking ahead to Ohio, Martin said he expects "a dogfight." Although venerable head coach Frank Solich has retired, new head man Tim Albin was promoted from Solich's staff, which remained virtually intact. "They're running similar stuff," Martin said, adding that, as usual, the Bobcats are usually good for a few wrinkles and/or trick plays along the way.
"You're on the road Tuesday night in Athens. It's not going to be an easy place to play," he continued. "We've got to have the same mindset we've had for the last four weeks and just keep grinding and find a way (to win)."
OHIO BOBCATS (1-7, 1-3 MAC)
>> The 'Cats are out to break a three-game losing streak. Following a conference-opening victory over Akron, Ohio fell to Central Michigan (30-27, Buffalo (27-26) and Kent State (34-27).
>> Both KSU and Ohio finished with 457 yards of total offense and were almost even in first downs (KSU 28, Ohio 27). The key difference was three Bobcat turnovers to none for Kent State.
>> The 'Cats totaled 322 yards passing and 135 on the ground. Kurtis Rourke completed 31 of 38 passing attempts for 308 yards with one interception.
>> All three Ohio TDs came on the ground, with Rourke running to paydirt twice. De'Montre Tuggle topped Bobcat rushers with 59 yards and one TD among his 13 carries.
>> Eleven different Bobcats caught at least one pass. Isiah Cox and O'Shaan Allison led the way with seven receptions each for a combined 125 yards.
>> Cannon Blauser (14 tackles, 1.5 TFL) and Bryce Houston (11 tackles, .5 TFL) led the defensive effort.
>> Stephen Johnson hit both field goal tries (long of 23) and all three PATs.
>> Ohio ranks 10th among MAC teams in scoring offense (21.1 ppg) and ninth in scoring defense (31.1 ppg).
>> The 'Cats are fourth in rushing (193.4 ypg) and 11th in pass offense (166.8 ypg) .
>> Tuggle is fourth among MAC rushers (74.1 ypg).
>> Ohio is last among MAC teams in defending the run, surrendering 224.5 ypg. It is fourth against the pass (202.5) and seventh in pass defense efficiency.
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