OXFORD, Ohio -- As preparation for facing Kent State this week, Miami head coach Chuck Martin put his defense through defending a long series of uptempo plays. The point was to impress them on the importance of stopping the Falcons early in drives, lest the RedHawks defense get worn down quickly.
The lesson was learned and Miami (3-4, 3-1 MAC) limited KSU to 5 of 15 on third down while posting a 31-6 victory. Kent State’s only score was a Woody Barrett 7-yard run with 36 seconds remaining.
The Flashes quarterback gained 99 yards rushing, but was sacked five times and dropped for 24 yards in losses. Running back Justin Rankin netted another 50, but MU limited the Flashes (1-6, 0-3 MAC) to 274 total yards.
"Start to finish, we had a good week of preparation," said Miami head coach Chuck Martin. "Two weeks in a row, we've defended really talented quarterbacks (who can run), and we did a great job on (running back Justin) Rankin, (too). He's a great back and, he's run really well this year. ... I was crazy pleased with the defense."
Three of MU’s four touchdowns cam on the ground and the RedHawks rolled up 291 yards with 51 attempts. Senior Kenny Young led the way with 90 yards on 10 trips with one TD. Davion Johnson, (52), Alonzo Smith (53) and Jaylon Bester (51 with 1 TD) combined for another 157 yards.
"We're a run-oriented, play-action team."Really, since conference play has started, our offense is executing at a really good level. They're in a rhythm. They look good out there."
Young and redshirt sophomore Jack Sorenson led Miami receiving with 47 yards each and a combined seven receptions as quarterback Gus Ragland connected on 16 of 24 passes for 209 yards and one TD. "We haven't thrown the ball a ton, but we're being very efficient throwing the football," Martin said.
After Kent State missed a 43-yard field goal attempt on its next drive, the RedHawks struck again -- with a little help from the Flashes. Miami was facing fourth-and-eight when Ragland attempted a short pass. It appeared to be short of the first down anyway and fell incomplete. However, a pass interference call gave MU a first down at the Kent State 30. Ragland found Kenny Young for 27 yards down the middle on the following play and Young carried two more times to complete the 10-play drive.
Ragland got the ‘Hawks moving with a 21-yard pass to tight end Nate Becker up the seem. After an incomplete pass, Young ripped off another big chunk -- this time for 27 yards. The drive continued and was aided by another pass interference call before Ragland hit Luke Mayock for a 2-yard TD. That made it 21-0 heading into halftime.
Kent State went three-and-out to open the second half, and Miami responded with a three-and-touchdown. Redshirt freshman Davion Johnson followed his 44-yard burst with a short gain and Jaylon Bester covered the final six yards.
NOTES:
➤➤ Barrett completed 15-of-29 passes with one interception.
➤➤ Mike Carrigan led KSU receivers with four catches for 51 yards. Isaiah McKoy contributed 31 yards on four receptions, while Trey Harrell caught three balls for 38 yards.
➤➤ Keith Sherald led all defenders with 14 tackles, 10 solo.
➤➤ Ben Kempler’s six tackles -- all solo-- led Miami defenders. Five different RedHawks registered sacks.
➤➤ Miami freshman Sterling Weatherford picked off a second half pass for the game’s only interception.
➤➤ MU had four drives of at least 10 plays and finished three of them with touchdowns.
➤➤ The RedHawks had a time of possession advantage of 39:06 to 20:54.
➤➤ Miami has won won three of its last four games, with the only defeat being a 40-39 loss at home to Western Michigan. The RedHawks will step out of conference play next week when they face a big test at Army.
➤➤ Kent State has lost its last five contests, but it will be looking for a particularly sweet victory when it hosts local rival Akron in a battle for the Wagon Wheel next Saturday.