Maurice Thomas had nine carries for 60 yards against Iowa. (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
Miami head coach Chuck Martin can sometimes be a little disarming for his candor – at least to journalists who haven’t met him. The candor showed Saturday in post-game comments after Miami’s 45-21 loss at Iowa. There was the usual honesty about a missed block here, missed route there, or turnover that flipped a big opportunity – things would need to be addressed in the coming days. However, there was also a strong hint of optimism.
And why not?
Despite the final score, Miami managed to out-gain the hosts in total yards, 424-404. Sophomore quarterback Billy Bahl tossed a pair of touchdowns to classmate James Gardner and the RedHawks . . .
Miami head coach Chuck Martin can sometimes be a little disarming for his candor – at least to journalists who haven’t met him. The candor showed Saturday in post-game comments after Miami’s 45-21 loss at Iowa. There was the usual honesty about a missed block here, missed route there, or turnover that flipped a big opportunity – things would need to be addressed in the coming days. However, there was also a strong hint of optimism.
And why not?
Despite the final score, Miami managed to out-gain the hosts in total yards, 424-404. Sophomore quarterback Billy Bahl tossed a pair of touchdowns to classmate James Gardner and the RedHawks . . .
Iowa's Sam Brincks looks for a way to get by Collin Buchanan (78) and Sam McCollum (66) . (MVSmith/MRO) running game came through with 158 yards against a well-respected Iowa defense.
“We ran the ball with legitimate run plays and then we threw the ball effectively,” Martin said.
The latter, in particular, was encouraging to Martin. He knows all too well how Miami’s ground game struggled over the two years he and the staff have worked to build a foundation along the front line. But there were signs late last year that Miami was turning the corner, and Saturday’s limited success against a No. 17 team with a good defense seemed to validate the RedHawks progress.
“We didn’t look or feel like anything I’ve watched for two years,” Martin said. “At no point in time were we not getting positive plays on the ground . . . We never lined up (and really) ran the ball until late last year with any success, (and we also) pass blocked better. … You look at some of the third down clips from a year ago, and its scary. We had a lot of success on third down today. Our guys up front did a heck of a job.”
Miami converted 5 of 11 third down opportunities and went 2 of 2 on fourth down conversions versus Iowa. That's effectively 7 of 11 as far as maintaining possession.
“We ran the ball with legitimate run plays and then we threw the ball effectively,” Martin said.
The latter, in particular, was encouraging to Martin. He knows all too well how Miami’s ground game struggled over the two years he and the staff have worked to build a foundation along the front line. But there were signs late last year that Miami was turning the corner, and Saturday’s limited success against a No. 17 team with a good defense seemed to validate the RedHawks progress.
“We didn’t look or feel like anything I’ve watched for two years,” Martin said. “At no point in time were we not getting positive plays on the ground . . . We never lined up (and really) ran the ball until late last year with any success, (and we also) pass blocked better. … You look at some of the third down clips from a year ago, and its scary. We had a lot of success on third down today. Our guys up front did a heck of a job.”
Miami converted 5 of 11 third down opportunities and went 2 of 2 on fourth down conversions versus Iowa. That's effectively 7 of 11 as far as maintaining possession.
Enjoying some offensive success against Iowa could boost the young RedHawks' confidence.(MVSmith/MRO) Martin is quick to point out there is “tons of work to be done,” as one might expect from one of the youngest teams in FBS competition this year. However, Saturday’s action likely fueled the RedHawks confidence going forward. They are home for the next two contests, and follow that with a road game against area rival Cincinnati. Miami will likely be underdogs for at least the final two, but it seems to be closing the gap on opponents, so the next few weeks could be interesting.
Here’s a look at this week’s matchup.
Eastern Illinois at Miami
Saturday, Sept. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium, Oxford, OH.
ESPN3
Eastern Illinois Panthers (0-1, 0-0 Ohio Valley)
● Eastern Illinois, a Football Championship Subdivision member, fell to Western Illinois, 38-21, Saturday. After taking a brief 7-0 first quarter lead, the Panthers fell behind 24-7 heading into the third quarter. Two long pass plays (53 and 79 yards) from quarterback Mitch Kimble allowed EIU to pull within 24-21. Western Illinois then put the game away with two more scores.
● EIU actually out-gained the Leathernecks, 468-347, in total yards. Three turnovers (two lost fumbles and one interception) proved costly for Eastern Illinois.
● Kimble, a redshirt junior, completed 18 of 29 passes for 323 yards, with two TDs and one interception.
● The Panthers totaled 102 yards rushing. Three backs had at least 10 carries, with Devin Church leading the way (12 carries, 42 yards).
Here’s a look at this week’s matchup.
Eastern Illinois at Miami
Saturday, Sept. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium, Oxford, OH.
ESPN3
Eastern Illinois Panthers (0-1, 0-0 Ohio Valley)
● Eastern Illinois, a Football Championship Subdivision member, fell to Western Illinois, 38-21, Saturday. After taking a brief 7-0 first quarter lead, the Panthers fell behind 24-7 heading into the third quarter. Two long pass plays (53 and 79 yards) from quarterback Mitch Kimble allowed EIU to pull within 24-21. Western Illinois then put the game away with two more scores.
● EIU actually out-gained the Leathernecks, 468-347, in total yards. Three turnovers (two lost fumbles and one interception) proved costly for Eastern Illinois.
● Kimble, a redshirt junior, completed 18 of 29 passes for 323 yards, with two TDs and one interception.
● The Panthers totaled 102 yards rushing. Three backs had at least 10 carries, with Devin Church leading the way (12 carries, 42 yards).
Deondre Daniels closes in on an Iowa receiver. (MVSmith/MRO) ● Twelve different players caught at least one pass. Isaiah Nelson registered five receptions for 65 yards, while Korliss Marshall owned four catches for 111 yards and one TD. Ben Odugbesan caught one ball, good for 53 yards and a score.
● Linebacker Seth McDonald posted nine stops, while LB Nick Horne registered six tackles and one tfl.
Miami RedHawks (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
● Miami finished near the bottom of the MAC last year in turnover margin, and it had three more against Iowa. The good news is that none were interceptions, which were a significant problem through much of 2015. Two of the fumbles Saturday came on quarterback hits. Another came from a running back after a missed block. Although young, the RedHawks ability to improve their record this year will likely correlate to cleaning up the turnovers.
● While the RedHawks offense was something of a pleasant surprise for the circumstances, the defense struggled at times. Much of the Hawkeyes early success came on the perimeter with running plays that managed to turn the corner or bubble screens that turned into big gainers.
● Linebacker Seth McDonald posted nine stops, while LB Nick Horne registered six tackles and one tfl.
Miami RedHawks (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
● Miami finished near the bottom of the MAC last year in turnover margin, and it had three more against Iowa. The good news is that none were interceptions, which were a significant problem through much of 2015. Two of the fumbles Saturday came on quarterback hits. Another came from a running back after a missed block. Although young, the RedHawks ability to improve their record this year will likely correlate to cleaning up the turnovers.
● While the RedHawks offense was something of a pleasant surprise for the circumstances, the defense struggled at times. Much of the Hawkeyes early success came on the perimeter with running plays that managed to turn the corner or bubble screens that turned into big gainers.
Rokeem Williams breaks loose for a long gain. (MVSmith/MRO) ● “Obviously, defensively (Iowa was) more physical than we were,” Martin said. “There were times when we had a small group of guys that did not join the fray. They’re going to see it on tape tomorrow, and they are either going to grow from it or we gotta find other guys. There’s too much timid play, particularly early. … We’ve got to be aggressive and make plays. That was disappointing at times.”
● Sophomore James Gardner, who had a good fall camp, continued to shine in the RedHawks opener. He had six catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Rokeem Williams owned six receptions for 113 yards with a long of 67.
● Williams' long gainer moved Miami to the Hawkeyes eight-yard line, but MU failed to produce points when Anthony Nelson hit Bahl from the blindside two plays later. Iowa recovered and covered 81 yards in two plays to establish a 21-0 lead with 5:41 remaining in the first period. It was a 14-point swing in a matter of three plays.
● Entering 2016, Miami was replacing veterans in the kicking game. Freshman Samuel Sloman attempted a 52-yard field goal at Iowa. His kick had the distance but was just right. Nick Dowd converted three extra points, while Justin Martin handled punting duties (2 punts, 39.0 average with long of 41).
● DB Tony Reid had five tackles, along with Paul Moses and Brad Koenig. Defensive tackle J.T. Jones and linebacker Junior McMullen each recorded one sack.
● Sophomore James Gardner, who had a good fall camp, continued to shine in the RedHawks opener. He had six catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Rokeem Williams owned six receptions for 113 yards with a long of 67.
● Williams' long gainer moved Miami to the Hawkeyes eight-yard line, but MU failed to produce points when Anthony Nelson hit Bahl from the blindside two plays later. Iowa recovered and covered 81 yards in two plays to establish a 21-0 lead with 5:41 remaining in the first period. It was a 14-point swing in a matter of three plays.
● Entering 2016, Miami was replacing veterans in the kicking game. Freshman Samuel Sloman attempted a 52-yard field goal at Iowa. His kick had the distance but was just right. Nick Dowd converted three extra points, while Justin Martin handled punting duties (2 punts, 39.0 average with long of 41).
● DB Tony Reid had five tackles, along with Paul Moses and Brad Koenig. Defensive tackle J.T. Jones and linebacker Junior McMullen each recorded one sack.
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Miami quarterback Billy Bahl throws the first of two TD passes to James Gardner (MVSmith/MRO)
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