Miami Victorious in Arizona Bowl to Cap Off Historic Season
By: Jack Mueller
The Miami RedHawks ended the 2024 season in style, defeating Colorado State 43-17 in the Arizona Bowl. Chuck Martin’s team were presented with the trophy and individual gold chains via Snoop Dogg, who sponsored the event. Martin was even treated to a ride in a custom Chevy Impala with Snoop himself.
“I’m one lame human being” said Martin, ”I’m sitting there with a gold chain and my wife’s laughing her *** off…It’s a moment you’ll remember forever”
Saturday’s win marked the second Bowl-game win of the Chuck Martin era, winning their first since 2021. The RedHawk played their brand of football, relying on their defense and their run-game to walk away victorious. Seniors Matt Salopek, Ty Wise and Kevin Davis all made their impacts felt in what was their final game as Miami football players. The pair of linebackers combined for 18 sacks, and Wise forced two turnovers. He forced a fumble early in the game, then returned an interception 54 yards to set up Miami’s 4th touchdown of the day.
“Defense was the story, they controlled the game from start to finish,” said Martin, adding “Whenever you see some air and Kevin’s (Davis) on the field you have a smile on your face”
Davis was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after a monster performance out of the backfield. The veteran running back had been primarily utilized as a receiver and on special teams, but was thrust into the lead running back role early in the game. Davis finished with 148 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, one being a 97-yard score in the third quarter. Davis was presented with his trophy by Snoop Dogg, however he was hesitant to disclose what was said between the two of them.
“That’s between me and Snoop,” said Davis.
Miami has been excellent on special teams all season, but were faced with a challenge this weekend. The RedHawks lost their special teams coach to the “coaches portal” in between the MAC Championship and the Arizona Bowl. Coach Martin entrusted special teams to a veteran group of players, Ambe Caldwell, Corban Hondru, Adam Trick and Eli Blakey, and they stepped up. Alec Bevelheimer landed 2 of his three punts inside the 20, and Davis exploded for an 81-yard kickoff return to set up another Miami score.
The victory marks the end of an era for Miami football, as the senior class leaves the RedHawks as arguably the most decorated class in the history of the program. Miami has played in a bowl game every season since 2021, and appeared in back-to-back MAC championships. Veteran signal-caller Brett Gabbert will leave Oxford as a legend, featuring prominently in Miami’s record books and leading the ‘Hawks to a second bowl win during his tenure.
He marked the end of his Miami career in style, putting together another stellar performance in the red and white. Gabbert threw for 184 yards, completing 13 passes to eight different receivers. He got his storybook ending, pulling down a pump fake and scrambling in for his 88th touchdown for Miami.
The RedHawks took the lead with eight seconds left in the first quarter, and would never relinquish the advantage. Six points on two kicks from Dom Dzioban cancelled out a first-drive field goal from CSU’s Jordan Noyes. Dzioban added a third made field goal as time expired in the first half, giving the RedHawks a 9-3 advantage at the break.
Miami’s offense came alive in the second half. The RedHawks found the end zone three times in the third quarter, taking the game out of the Rams’ reach. Gabbert connected with Kam Perry for 57 yards on two catches to set Miami up inside the ten-yard-line. Davis scored his first touchdown of the day on a four-yard scamper up the middle. Gabbert found the end zone two minutes later to make the score 22-3 just five minutes after the start of the half.
They didn’t stop there. Kevin Davis exploded for a 97-yard rushing touchdown after Colorado State pinned the ‘Hawks deep in their own territory. The Rams offense finally found some success via some trickery at the end of the third, as Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi’s flea flicker pass found Stephon Daily downfield for a 56 yard pitch and catch for a touchdown.
Jordan Brunson took the spotlight in the fourth quarter, finding the end zone twice to score his third and fourth touchdowns of the season. Colorado State interrupted the pair of scores with seven points of their own, as Peter Montini found the end zone from a yard out. Despite the late offensive success, it was too little too late for the Rams. Brunson’s second score put the finishing touches on a 43-17 win in front of over 40,000 fans.
The RedHawks finished the season 9-5, securing back-to-back nine win seasons for the first time since 1975. Miami will take the field again, albeit with many new faces, in 244 days at Camp Randall when Chuck Martin and his men face off with the Wisconsin Badgers to open the 2025 season.