DETROIT, Mi -- Defense and special teams kept the Miami RedHawks in the game. When their offense kicked in, the RedHawks then rallied for a 26-21 Mid-American Conference Championship game victory over Central Michigan at Ford Field.
It was the first MAC title since 2010 for East champ Miami (8-5), which entered Saturday as an underdog to Central Michigan (8-5).
Winners of three straight and six of their last seven, the explosive Chippewas were fresh off a 49-7 thrashing of Toledo to claim the West Crown.
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-- Rushing: 99-76
-- Passing: 256-196
-- Total Offense: 355-272
However, Miami used its typical 2019 formula of defense, special teams and timely offense to pull out the victory:
-- The RedHawks defense held Central to nearly 100 yards under its season average of 453.2 yards (and 95 yards under its rushing average).
Travion Banks halted a crucial Chippewas drive with an interception.
-- MU special teams shined, with Maurice Thomas’ 97-yard return of the opening kickoff set up one TD, and Sam Sloman booting four field goals.
-- Jack Sorenson’s 31-yard TD reception off a wide receiver screen pushed Miami back in front for good.
Miami had just three first downs through the first two quarters, but it opened scoring with a 1-yard Jaylon Bester dive after Thomas’s long kickoff return.
"We always talk about giving Mo a chance," Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. "If we give him a little bit, he's electric and obviously that's the margin of victory, you know -- that play. You forget it was the first play of the game, but obviously we need every point we got."
Central Michigan’s offense also had trouble getting untracked early, but Tommy Lazzaro -- one of two quarterbacks employed by the Chippewas -- used a deft pass fake on the way to a 21-yard touchdown run with 11:46 remaining in the second quarter. That tied the game at seven-all.
"You know how long we practiced to defend when he comes to the game? Martin asked reporters "That's the worst part. I said, 'No one stops that package all year. We're going to stop it. We've got the plan, blah, blah, blah.' And, obviously, we didn't ... defend it very well at all."
Miami regained the lead a short-time later, capitalizing on a Central’s decision to fake a punt on fourth-and-six from its own 19. MU stuffed Oakley Lavallii’s run to set up a short field. Although the RedHawks were unable to get any positive yardage, Sloman came on to kick a 41-yard field goal.
Defenses continued to rule, but Central Michigan finally cashed in just before halftime with its second touchdown. Quinten Dormady escaped pressure and found Tyrone Scott for an 11-yard touchdown with 30 seconds left before intermission. That gave the Chippewas a 14-10 halftime edge.
He continued, “The next thing you know, we hit a long one to James (Maye), we hit a screen to Jack, and I looked at him like, "Hey, there we go. Three plays, we're in the end zone. That's us. That's Miami football."
It was the only score of the period, but Miami moved the ball enough in the fourth quarter to set a pair of Sloman field goals. The first was from 33 at 11:38. He then followed that by lining a 48-yarder between the posts at 4:06.
The nine-point (23-14) lead seemed formidable with time dwindling. However, CMU suddenly found more room to operate, and Dormady quickly completed six straight passes. After an incompletion, Lazzaro came in and ran the ball in from four yards out.
Still down by two (23-21) with 1:24 remaining, Central set up for an onside kick. It first appeared that CMU hit the jackpot as Rolliann Sturkey grabbed a high bounce and rushed past Miami’s line of players. He went untouched into the end zone, but the ensuing celebration was cut short by a flag on the play. CMU was called for offsides, and a replay clearly showed at least a couple Chippewas players offside.
Just 28 seconds remained and Central was unable to cross midfield before time expired.
"Miami did an outstanding job of taking away a lot of things that we did well all year, something we talked about going into it. They're a really good football team and played that way," CMU head coach Jim McElwain said.
"I know one thing, as I told the guys in the locker room, I probably have never been more proud of a group that I've been associated with in my coaching career. What they have set themselves up to do and what they did (is nothing) short of amazing."