OXFORD, OH -- The Miami RedHawks shook off a sluggish first half to edge Northern Illinois 27-24 Saturday at Yager Stadium.
With the win, and Kent State's loss at Ohio, the RedHawks (3-4, 2-1 MAC ) joined those two in a three-way tie atop the MAC East standings. It was a bounce-back win for Miami, which . . .
Throughout the first quarter and much of the second, Miami's offense struggled mightily against an NIU team that ranked third (MAC) in total defense and first in pass defense.
After gaining a first down with a Brett Gabbert pass to Jaylen Walker on the RedHawks third play from scrimmage, the 'Hawks would not gain another first down until their final drive of the half.
"I was making some terrible reads in the first half, and I wasn't playing very well," said Gabbert, who got banged up at Western Michigan and missed some practice reps during the week.
While the Huskies were moving the ball, Miami's defense managed to keep them out of the end zone throughout the opening stanza. Northern threatened late after Ross Bower's pass to Cole Tucker put the visitors at Miami's five. However, NIU lost two yards on the next three plays and settled for a John Richardson 25-yard field goal with eight ticks left in the period.
Miami's offensive frustration grew after Maurice Thomas returned the following kickoff 86 yards to the Huskies 14. Unable to advance more than a yard, however, MU attempted a field goal. That kick went wide.
"We played against him last year, so we knew that he was a good runner," said MU linebacker Ryan McWood when asked about adjusting to a different quarterback in mid-game.
Miami had one drive left before the break, and it took advantage of it. Gabbert's 26-yard throw to Dominique Robinson got the trip going, and the freshman completed three more in the 10-play drive.
"We got the first down and started going fast," Gabbert said. "Everything started clicking."
Facing fourth-and-goal at the NIU one with 39 seconds left, head coach Chuck Martin debated going for the TD or turning to kicker Sam Sloman for a chip shot field goal. The RedHawks have struggled recently in short yardage, making the decision more difficult.
"Really, the offense just kind of talked me into it," Martin said. "They called out the play, and then they all started jumping around. I got caught up in the moment and we went for it."
Jaylen Bester squirmed in and the teams went into halftime with Northern up 10-7.
Northern quickly responded, covering 90 yards in eight plays. Childers's 38-yard pass to Michael Love put the visitors at the one. After trying the middle with Harbison and losing two yards, Childers kept the ball and skirted left end for a touchdown to put Northern back in front, 17-14.
In their two previous MAC wins, the RedHawks forced - and took advantage of -- opponent turnovers. There would be no turnovers by either team this time, but Miami's offense had found its stride.
Gabbert's 40-yard pass to Walker set up a one-yard Bester run, and MU moved back in front 21-17 with 3:11 left in the third. A Sloman 34-yard field goal on the first play of the final frame put Miami up by seven.
Childers, who has starting experience for the Huskies, put his running skills to use on Northern's next possession. His 16-yard run on fourth-and-three kept the drive alive. It took 13 plays overall, but Childers finished a touchdown drive by hitting Cole Tucker for 10 yards and the score pull NIU within three at 27-24.
Northern got the ball back (at its own 41) with 1:44 remaining. However, Miami's defense prevented any completions and added a sack to end NIU's final threat.
-- NIU had a net of 115 yards rushing with two TDs, averaging 2.7 yards per carry. The Huskies registered 235 yards and one score through the air.
-- Marcus Childers completed 14 of 23 passes for 144 yards and a TD in relief of the injured Ross Bowers, who was 7 of 12 for 91 yards before leaving.
-- John Richardson hit one field goal for 25 yards and missed a 50-yarder.
-- Cole Tucker led NIU receivers with six receptions for 82 yards and a score.
-- Northern was four of four on red zone chances.
-- Mykel Williams paced the Huskies defense with 10 tackles (7 solo).
-- Miami owned a net of 71 yards rushing, although that included minus-17 creditedto the team on a snap issue.
-- Gabbert led Miami rushing with 48 yards gross and 42 net. He had several carries to keep drives alive. Jaylon Best netted 32 yards and scored two TDs.
-- Gabbert completed 15 of 28 for 273 yards and a TD. He was sacked once.
-- Jaylen Walker led receivers with seven catches for 138 yards. James Maye caught two balls for 65 yards and a touchdown.
-- MU special teams has been a big plus this year and continued to shine against NIU. Sloman made two of three field goals, Kyle Kramer averaged 43.6 yards per punt and Maurice Thomas contributed 133 yards on kickoff returns.
- Miami was four of five on redzone chances.
-- Ryan McWood led RedHawk defenders with 14 tackles (8 solo, 1 sack).