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On a night flooded by consistent downpour, it was the RedHawks and not the weather that made a sloppy mess on the field.
Despite dominating every offensive statistic in the game, the Miami University football team turned over a golden chance to win for the first time in 2009. The RedHawks gave the ball away five times Saturday night, bringing their turnover total to 10 in the last two games and 14 in the last three games.
"I feel like we earned a win because we didn't turn the ball over," Kent State University Head Coach Doug Martin said when asked if he felt like his team stole a win from Miami. "Turnover margin is the No. 1 dictator of who wins and loses."
The RedHawks out gained the Golden Flashes by 302 yards. The RedHawks doubled the Golden Flashes in total first downs. In the end, however, the RedHawks lost to the Golden Flashes 29-19 because they couldn't hold onto the ball.
"We practice in the rain when we're in Oxford. Rain has no effect (on turnovers)," Miami Head Coach Mike Haywood said. "All you have to do is protect the football with five pressure points, roll your shoulder over the top and you'll protect it."
With the win, Kent State beat Miami in consecutive seasons for the first time in 21 years. The 'Hawks hold a 44-13 series record against the Golden Flashes but have now dropped three of their last four meetings.
With less than 10 minutes remaining on the game clock, the Miami offense faced a third and long from its own 26-yard line. Dropping back and rolling to his right, red-shirt freshman Zac Dysert, making his first collegiate career start, was caught. The sack would give Miami its first three and out since the opening drive of the half and leave the 'Hawks with a 10-point deficit as time ticked away.
But as two Kent State defenders converged onto the thrower, Dysert ran away. In a golden flash he was gone, cutting downfield for a 13-yard gain and another Miami … first down.
"That's frustrating when we've got coverage and we miss tackles after we have him bottled up," KSU linebacker Cobrani Mixon said. "I think we just underestimated him. He's kind of quick."
Three plays later Dysert kept the drive alive again, spinning away from a KSU linebacker who was left sprawling on the turf. Another double-digit gain; another Miami … first down.
Dysert wasn't done either. Twice more, once with his arm and then again with his legs, the freshman converted for the RedHawks. Dysert's sweet performance led to a Miami field goal to bring the 'Hawks within seven points and hungry for more.
"One of the most important things that we learned is that they don't quit." Haywood said. "Guys keep competing."
Back within one score of the Flashes, the RedHawk defense failed to hold. Kent State sustained a nine-play, four-minute drive for three points to seal the game. Sophomore Jacquise Terry, a wide receiver converted to running back, carried the ball on every down except for the final two. Freshman kicker Freddy Cortez, who missed his only two field goal attempts prior to Saturday, booted the final score.
Dysert finished the night with 337 passing yards on 31 completions and 119 rushing yards on 17 carries. He closed the first half with a touchdown pass after leading a clutch two-minute drill covering 78 yards.
Kent State quarterbacks, on the other hand, only attempted 11 passes all night. Instead, the Golden Flashes generated points off of excellent field position resulting from turnovers and special teams. In addition to five Miami giveaways, Kent State blocked a punt and returned a kick off for a touchdown. Five KSU drives began in MU territory and two others began just short of mid-field.
After dropping to 0-4 on the season and 0-2 in MAC play, the RedHawks now prepare for the Battle for the Victory Bell Saturday against the University of Cincinnati.
