The Miami RedHawks and Northern Illinois Huskies bring identical records into Saturday’s matchup at Yager Stadium in Oxford. Both are 2-4 overall, with 1-1 marks in conference play.
NIU is looking for its second consecutive road win against a MAC East foe as it broke a four-game losing streak with a dramatic 39-36 over preseason favorite Ohio in Athens last Saturday. The winning margin came on a 37-yard John Richardson field goal as time expired.
Miami, meanwhile, hopes to . . .
at
Miami RedHawks (2-4, 1-1 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 19 -- 2:30 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium -- Oxford, OH
ESPN+
Series: Tied 9-9
Similarly, the RedHawks were outgained 369-201 last year against NIU in DeKalb. Miami, in fact, did not score an offensive touchdowns. However, a third-quarter RedHawk interception and two field goals were enough for a 13-7 Miami victory.
ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS:
-- The Huskies trailed 21-10 at halftime Saturday against Ohio but scored three straight touchdowns after intermission to move in front.
-- In addition to his game-winning 37-yard field goal as time expired, sophomore John Richardson hit a career-long 51 yard field goal in the first quarter.
-- Tailback Tre Harbison and John Richardson earned MAC Player of the Week honors as the Huskie duo were named MAC West Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively, following their performances in NIU’s win over Ohio.
__ In the win at Ohio, quarterback Ross Bowers became the ninth Huskie and first since Marcus Childers (Nov. 30, 2018) to throw for 300 yards or more in a contest. Bowers recorded 338 yards on 23-of-39 passing with one touchdown and an interception. Bowers is ranked second in the league and 15th in the nation averaging 272.5 yards a game.
-- Cole Tucker’s 118 yards on eight receptions and Mitchell Brinkman’s five catches for 100 yards at Ohio marked the first time since Sept. 30, 2017 at San Diego State the Huskies had two different players with 100-yard receiving performances in the same game.
-- NIU blocked its first punt of the season and eighth in the last three years when Corey Lersch blocked Michael Farkas’ first punt of the game at Ohio. Adam Buirge ran it in for the Huskies’ first touchdown.
-- New NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock earned his first career win in his debut as a head coach, leading the Huskies to a 24-10 victory over Illinois State at Huskie Stadium on August 31st. He is the first head coach to win his debut since current N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren in 2011 (over Army).
ABOUT MIAMI
-- After graduating 25 seniors a year ago, Miami’s depth chart is much younger in 2019. On the two-deep alone, Miami features 11 players classified as sophomores or younger.
-- Miami is 18-for-21 this season on red zone opportunities. In those 21 attempts, Miami has scored 12 (57.1%) touchdowns.
-- Kicker Sam Sloman had his first miss of the season against Western Michigan, but he also hit three field goals (51, 49, 27) after Miami drives stalled.
-- Miami out-gained WMU 365-310 on the day, but it lost the turnover battle 3-1. A couple possible interceptions by MU were wiped out by penalties and/or drops.
-- The RedHawks eight penalties for 83 yards also impacted offensive drives.
-- Miami has been hurt by several chunk plays in recent weeks. Three of WMU’s four offensive touchdowns last week were 37 or more yards and another covered 17 yards. A week earlier, Buffalo scored on two runs of 39 or more yards (39,82), as well as a 20-yard pass play.
-- Although the RedHawks were still missing WR Jack Sorenson, they opened up the passing game some against WMU. Freshman quarterback Brett Gabbert threw a career-high 45 attempts, connecting on 26. Three of the misses, however, ended up in Bronco hands, with the second quarter pick-six inflicting the most damage.
-- Miami will be facing the MAC’s top passing offense (278.7 ypg) and passing defense (195.2 ypg).
-- One week after posting a career-high 24 carries for 107 yards against Buffalo, junior RB Jaylon Bester rushed 11 times for 45 yards in the loss to Western Michigan.
-- Emmuanel Rugamba picked off one Bronco pass and shared team-high tackling honors with Ryan McWood.