Miami defeats Ohio 30-20 in 100th Battle of the Bricks
By: Jack Mueller
Miami were the victors in the 100th Battle of the Bricks matchup against the rival Ohio Bobcats. The RedHawks gave the 17,000 fans in attendance plenty to cheer about en route to a 30-20 win. The victory was Chuck Martin’s 59th as a RedHawk, putting him in a tie for first place in wins in Miami history (with Randy Walker).
“I think Randy Walker would have been proud of how the boys played today,” said Martin.
Martin’s team built on the post-EMU win momentum in style on Saturday. Miami was dominant in every phase of the game. The offense played up to its full potential, with QB Brett Gabbert showing his class. The veteran ended with 178 yards on 66% passing, connecting on three touchdown passes. Miami’s defense was spectacular throughout the game as well, creating two turnovers and holding the Bobcats to just six points until the fourth quarter.
Matt Salopek showed his talent and experience as the leader of the defense, picking off Parker Navarro to set up a Miami score that put the game out of reach. The linebacker led the defense with ten total tackles. Brian Ugwu and Corban Hondru continued to be threats on the edge, with both adding another sack to their resume.
“We stopped the run and made them one-dimensional,” said Martin, “When you play well against them you feel good because they play the right way.”
“I trust the defense, they did an amazing, amazing job,” he added.
Keyon Mozee continued to lay claim to the starting running-back spot. The senior back racked up 100 yards on the ground for the second consecutive game. Mozee registered 106 yards on the ground on ten carries, including a 58-yard scamper to give Miami a 17 point lead.
“I was waiting for our O-Line to climb up, and when they did I was one–on-one with the safety.” said Mozee “The only thing was making sure I didn’t get caught.”
“Earlier in the week he wasn’t going to play.” said Martin, “but every day he said ‘I’m playing…He’s taking the short runs and turning them into big ones.”
The first half went as well as the RedHawks could have hoped. Miami dominated the Bobcats in every phase of the game. Martin’s team entered the locker room for halftime with eight more first downs than their opponent, out-gaining Ohio 203-72 in the first 30 minutes of play.
After both teams traded punts to start the game, Miami broke the deadlock after a 28-yard field goal from Dom Dzioban. The kick ended an eight play, 62 yard drive that picked up steam after a 32-yard pitch and catch between Gabbert and Cade McDonald. The veteran receiver ended the first half with 56 yards on four catches.
After the early score, neither team could put together any momentum. The two teams punted the football away on five consecutive drives, leaving the RedHawks with the lead after the first period. Miami extended their lead with eight minutes left in the half. Gabbert connected with his favorite target in recent games, Reggie Virgil, in the corner of the end zone for a 14-yard score to give the home side a 10-0 lead.
The RedHawks regained possession almost immediately. Navarro attempted to find a receiver over the middle in coverage, but Raion Strader stepped in to intercept the pass.
“We knew what he (Navarro) could do, the D-Line played a big role in shutting him down, and when he threw the ball, we made plays.” said Strader.
Miami ended the half on a high note, as they scored another touchdown with just seconds left in the half to send the teams to the locker rooms with the RedHawks leading by 16. Gabbert found Javon Tracy on an eight yard pass in the end zone.
“That timing was legit,” said Martin “That’s an elite catch. There’s 5% of receivers on the planet that make that catch.”
Ohio refused to go down without a fight. The Bobcats put together an excellent drive to open the second half. Parker Navarro picked up 27 yards on the ground and added 34 through the air to drive his team into scoring position. Anthony Tyus III finished the drive with a tough run through the heart of the RedHawks defense to give the Bobcats a touchdown. OU went for two to try and cut the lead to one score, but were unsuccessful.
The RedHawks responded immediately. After being forced to punt on their first drive after OU’s score, they made no mistake on their second attempt. Keyon Mozee took the first play from scrimmage up the left sideline and outran every Bobcat defender on his way to a 58-yard score. Miami led 23-6 at the end of the third quarter.
Three plays later, Miami had the football again. Matt Salopek claimed the RedHawks’ second interception of the game, giving the home side possession at the Bobcat 29-yard line. On the very next play, Miami capitalized, this time through a Gabbert pass to Cade McDonald, who made a man miss en route to his second touchdown of the season.
(Cade McDonald fields a punt for Miami, Photo: Jack Mueller)
“He (Salopek) had 24 in high school and never gets any picks for me” said Martin, “Now he gets a pick every week.”
Ohio did their best to get back into the game. Backup quarterback Nick Poulos led the Bobcats down the field for an 11 play, 63-yard drive that ended in a one-yard touchdown run by Nolan McCormick to bring the score to 30-14. Poulos continued the comeback push on the next drive, scrambling in from eleven yards out to try and bring his team within one score. However the two point conversion attempt fell incomplete, leaving the Bobcats with a ten-point deficit with just seconds on the clock.
Gabbert re-entered the game for Miami to take a knee to put the finishing touches on a RedHawk victory.
Miami jumps up to 2-1 in conference play and find themselves in a five-way tie for second place in the MAC. They will play host to Central Michigan (1-2 in the MAC) next saturday hoping to improve to 4-4 and launch themselves into contention for another title-game appearance in Detroit.