RedHawks forced to play catch-up
By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, Oh -- As with so many other stats on the day, Miami and Marshall were close in penalties/yards: the visitors registered seven for 62 yards, while Miami had eight for 71 yards. It was the timing, however, that RedHawks coach Chuck Martin felt played a significant part in Marshall’s 35-28 victory over Miami Saturday at Yager Stadium.
OXFORD, Oh -- As with so many other stats on the day, Miami and Marshall were close in penalties/yards: the visitors registered seven for 62 yards, while Miami had eight for 71 yards. It was the timing, however, that RedHawks coach Chuck Martin felt played a significant part in Marshall’s 35-28 victory over Miami Saturday at Yager Stadium.
CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE ... RIGHT CLICK TO SAVE
Despite weather delays of over two hours, Marshall came out of the gate firing on all cylinders. It scored on each of its first two drives, with the first trip being aided by a holding call that turned third-and-nine into a first down. The Herd then finished a 75-yard drive on a Keion David two-yard run.
One possession later, Marshall marched 80 yards on 12 plays, with Anthony Anderson going in from one-yard out. With 3:28 remaining in the first quarter, Miami trailed 14-0 and would spend the rest of the game playing catch-up.
One possession later, Marshall marched 80 yards on 12 plays, with Anthony Anderson going in from one-yard out. With 3:28 remaining in the first quarter, Miami trailed 14-0 and would spend the rest of the game playing catch-up.
DeAndre Montomery and Deondre Daniels defend a deep Marshall pass attempt. (MVSmith/MRO) It was late in the second quarter when Miami finally put together its own scoring drive, moving 76 yards in 10 plays. It was fourth-and-four at the Marshall 19 when quarterback Gus Ragland found Jack Sorenson over the middle. He bounced off a tackle and sprinted into the end zone to make it a 14-7 contest.
Miami ultimately eschewed fourth-down kicks on five different occasions. Sorenson’s catch-and-run was one of two conversions for the hosts.
Any Miami momentum took a hit when the Herd squeezed in one more score before the half. There was 2:32 remaining when Marshall started from its own 25. Two Tyler King third down rushes kept the Herd moving. The sophomore finished with 10 carries for 67 yards. With David churning out 77 yards on 17 rushes, Marshall’s ground game totaled 171 total yards.
Miami ultimately eschewed fourth-down kicks on five different occasions. Sorenson’s catch-and-run was one of two conversions for the hosts.
Any Miami momentum took a hit when the Herd squeezed in one more score before the half. There was 2:32 remaining when Marshall started from its own 25. Two Tyler King third down rushes kept the Herd moving. The sophomore finished with 10 carries for 67 yards. With David churning out 77 yards on 17 rushes, Marshall’s ground game totaled 171 total yards.
Alonzo Smith gets by a Marshall defender. during second half action. (MVSmith/MRO)
However, the biggest gain Marshall’s drive came through the air as heavily-defended Tyre Brady made a tough catch against the sideline. That set the visitors up at the one, and Anderson went in one play later for his second score of the day with 21 seconds left.
Marshall’s 21-7 halftime lead expanded to three touchdowns when Green hit Brady on a 30-yard strike at 6:32 of the third quarter.
With the visitors pulling away, Miami needed to get its offense going – and it responded.
Four plays into the ‘Hawks next drive, Ragland connected with Sorenson again, this time for 54 yards. With a penalty added on, Miami had a first down at the one. Two plays later, Alonzo Smith scored to make it a 28-14 game.
Marshall’s 21-7 halftime lead expanded to three touchdowns when Green hit Brady on a 30-yard strike at 6:32 of the third quarter.
With the visitors pulling away, Miami needed to get its offense going – and it responded.
Four plays into the ‘Hawks next drive, Ragland connected with Sorenson again, this time for 54 yards. With a penalty added on, Miami had a first down at the one. Two plays later, Alonzo Smith scored to make it a 28-14 game.
Jack Sorenson heads for the end zone with a Miami touchdown. (MVSmith/MRO) Sorenson, who had three catches for 106 yards and a TD, got Miami going with a 33-yard catch early in the fourth quarter. Ragland then hit sophomore Andrew Homer for 22 and six yards on consecutive plays. The latter was good for a touchdown that pulled the RedHawks within one score at 28-21 with 9:09 remaining.
Miami finally had some momentum going, especially after holding the visitors to a three-and out. Momentum, however, was about to change sides.
It was third-and five when Ragland hit Gardner on a 20-yard play to Marshall’s 49, but the play was wiped out by an offensive pass interference call. That turned the situation into third-and 21.
One play later Miami punted. While it appeared to have the punt covered, Tyler King slipped through for a 50-yard return. Davis rushed for 11 yards and Green hit Tyre for 21 more to push Marshall’s lead back up to two touchdowns at 35-21.
Miami finally had some momentum going, especially after holding the visitors to a three-and out. Momentum, however, was about to change sides.
It was third-and five when Ragland hit Gardner on a 20-yard play to Marshall’s 49, but the play was wiped out by an offensive pass interference call. That turned the situation into third-and 21.
One play later Miami punted. While it appeared to have the punt covered, Tyler King slipped through for a 50-yard return. Davis rushed for 11 yards and Green hit Tyre for 21 more to push Marshall’s lead back up to two touchdowns at 35-21.
Sam McCollum holds off Malik Thompson as quarterback Gus Ragland looks for a receiver. (MVSmith/MRO) Miami came right back with a seven-play, 75-yard drive to close within one score again. Ragland’s three-yard pass to Young finished the trip. The senior owned six catches for 47 yards and a TD to go along with eight rushes for 34 yards rushing.
When Miami’s defense forced a quick punt, the RedHawks took over at its own 43 with 3:02 remaining. However, a holding penalty pushed them back into second and 20. The Red and White were able to get just five yards back out of three pass attempts. Marshall took over with 2:22 left and ran out the clock.
It was the second straight year Miami lost to Marshall in an opener. The Herd also won tight game (31-26) last year in Huntington.
Miami faces another big test next week when it plays Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium (home of the Cincinnati Bengals). Although MU narrowly leads the series (59-56-7), Cincinnati has won the last 12, including a 21-17 win last season when the Bearcats
When Miami’s defense forced a quick punt, the RedHawks took over at its own 43 with 3:02 remaining. However, a holding penalty pushed them back into second and 20. The Red and White were able to get just five yards back out of three pass attempts. Marshall took over with 2:22 left and ran out the clock.
It was the second straight year Miami lost to Marshall in an opener. The Herd also won tight game (31-26) last year in Huntington.
Miami faces another big test next week when it plays Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium (home of the Cincinnati Bengals). Although MU narrowly leads the series (59-56-7), Cincinnati has won the last 12, including a 21-17 win last season when the Bearcats
Alonzo Smith dives through some heavy traffic for a score. (MVSmith/MRO)
RSS Feed