Over 20,000 people were on hand today to watch the MAC championship matchup between the Miami Redhawks and the Toledo Rockets.
Defending MAC Champion Toledo entered today’s game with an 11 – 1 record and a perfect record of 8 – 0 in their conference, also looking to become the first team to have back to back championships since Northern Illinois in 2011 and 2012.
Miami entered today 10-2, the team’s first 10 win season since 2003.
The RedHawks open with a strong drive but had to settle for a 32 yard field goal by Graham Nicholson, who was perfect on the season entering the game, to put Miami on the board first.
Toledo’s QB, Dequan Finn fumbles on the Rockets’ first drive of the game and the fumble is recovered by Miami’s Kobe Hilton, who were unable to capitalize on the recovery.
With only 46 seconds left in the first quarter, Miami’s Rashad Amos gives Miami their first touchdown of the game. Graham Nicholson’s extra point is good giving Miami a 10 to 0 lead.
Toledo’s offense seemed to have found their stride early in the second quarter but a blocked field goal, recovered by Miami’s Silas Walters, with 9:13 left in the first half quickly stopped the Rockets’ advance.
Toledo made a late quarter charge with Finn’s 33 yard pass to Junior Vandeross. A pass inference call on Miami’s Yahsyn McKee put the Rockets on Miami’s 2 yard line. But after several penalties by Toledo, the Rockets found themselves backed up to the 13 yard line. With 13 seconds left in the half, Finn connects with Anthony Torres for a 13 yard touchdown pass making the score 10 to 6.
The Rockets first attempt at the point after was blocked by Miami, but called back for an off side call on Miami. On Toledo’s second attempt they successfully complete a 2 point conversion making the score 10 to 8 going into halftime.
Miami opens the second half strong with a 40 yard field goal by Nicholson. Miami leads 13 to 8. Toledo responds quickly with a 44 yard pass from Finn to Vandersoss putting the Rockets in position to score. Two plays later Finn runs it in for another Toledo touchdown. Toledo’s Luke Pawlak misses the extra point making the score 14 to 13 Toledo.
A 40 yard pass from Finn to Smith puts the RedHawks within striking distance but Nicholson misses a 48 yard field goal attempt, marking his first miss of the season.
After a 9 play drive, Miami starts the 4th quarter off with a 40 yard field goal making the score 16 to 14, Miami.
With less than 5 minutes left to play in the half, Miami’s Aveon Smith rushes 50 yards to put the RedHawks within scoring distance. Two plays later, Rashad Amos rushes 10 yards for another Miami touchdown. Nicholson’s extra point attempt is good. Miami leads 23 to 14 with 2:41 left in the game.
With just over 50 seconds left in the game, Toledo’s attempt at a 38 yard field goal is blocked, but recovered by the Rockets giving a first down. But with only 22 seconds left in the game, Miami’s Yahsyn McKee intercepts Finn’s pass giving Miami the ball.
Miami would hold Toledo running back Penny Boone to only 41 yards in the game, with Toledo head coach Jason Candle describing Miami’s defense as “disruptive all game.”
The Redhawks defense was ultimately suffocating, holding one of the best offenses in the MAC to only two touchdowns and ultimately winning the rematch 23-14.
Martin very emotional after the win, described thinking
“we didn’t necessarily even think we would get here”
after watching his quarterback Brett Gabbert go down with a season ending injury just 4 weeks ago, “but I’m really proud of our guys.” As Gabbert was loaded onto the ambulance that night, he told his coach “go win the MAC,” and that’s exactly what the Redhawks did.
