Cradle of Contenders: The RedHawk football team begins its journey to Detroit

As the late August sun rises over Oxford, the statues in the Cradle of Coaches begin to look toward the 137th season of Miami University football. As the RedHawks enter fall practice, the team looks to leave its legacy on the hallowed grounds of Yager Stadium.

Head coach Chuck Martin enters his 11th season following last year’s 9-5 record. The reigning Arizona Bowl winners utilized the transfer portal to rebuild the squad after losing multiple players on offense and defense.

Martin oversaw several key transfer portal acquisitions. In the current era of college football, the portal is a necessary component in rebuilding each year’s roster. Martin said the ideal recruit has both talent and wants to contribute to the culture of Miami.

“Do we think [the recruit] is a fit with who we are?” Martin said. “Because then if he likes who we are, then we’re off and running toward success.”

With the graduation of one of Miami’s most prolific passers, Brett Gabbert, the RedHawks focused on finding a new quarterback. The team secured former University of Toledo and Baylor University quarterback Dequan Finn to lead the team.

Finn’s highlight tapes feature his pocket presence and ability to extend plays, as well as his speed and creativity. However, Martin said the offense won’t change much under Finn.

“The unique thing about our offense is we have a pretty big playbook, which we don’t change regardless of who is at quarterback,” Martin said. “That said, we play to each player’s strengths. The only thing that our offense requires is a talented kid that’s a competitor. The scheme stays the same.”

Finn doesn’t lack experience going on the road against Big Ten teams, which the RedHawks can rely on for their first two games of the season. In 2023, he nearly led Toledo to an upset over the University of Illinois that was thwarted by a last-second Illini field goal.

Finn said his previous experience both playing against and for Power Four programs will be beneficial for Miami this year, especially when conference play begins.

“The experience that I have, understanding the ins and outs, helps me to get guys ready to play,” Finn said. “It’s just football at the end of the day. As long as my guys understand the standards are set high, we are ready to compete.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Miami looks to recover from the graduation of linebacker Matt Salopek, who led the RedHawks with 122 tackles and two forced fumbles. The RedHawks will also be without recent graduates, linebacker Ty Wise and defensive lineman Brian Ugwu, as well as transfer defensive back Raion Strader.

Returning redshirt senior linebacker Corban Hondru, who had three interceptions in 2024, and redshirt senior safety Silas Walters, who had 95 tackles and two fumble recoveries, will be a prominent feature in Miami’s defensive scheme. Both players will bring experience and leadership to the locker room.

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Renowned college football journalist Phil Steele named Walters to his preseason All-MAC Second Team after making eight tackles and recovering a fumble at the Arizona Bowl. The former walk-on’s veteran presence will prove vital during the RedHawks’ 2025 schedule.

Walters credits his discipline and commitment to his job on the field that helped him nearly achieve the century mark with tackles and a dozen pass breakups last season. He also said it is important to have the proper mindset, stressing how mental the game of football is.

“We got the right guys to handle it,” Walters said. “You know you’re going to get punched in the mouth and things will go wrong, so it’s just a matter of how you respond to adversity.”

Miami countered the loss of Strader to Auburn University with the addition of redshirt first-year defensive back Koy Beasley from Purdue University. Moreover, Miami picked up redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Bai Jobe from Michigan State University.

Miami’s offense will see a similar change in roster. The RedHawks lost two key wide receivers, with Javon Tracy going to the University of Minnesota and Reggie Vergil to Texas Tech University.

This loss of production forced Miami to shop in the transfer portal, acquiring redshirt senior Deion Colzie from Notre Dame University, redshirt sophomore Keith Reynolds from the University of Washington and redshirt sophomore Cordale Russell from the University of Colorado.

Furthermore, the RedHawks secured the commitment of two former Big Ten tight ends: Grant Leeper from the University of Iowa and Brody Kosin from Indiana University. These players will give Finn plenty of downfield targets this season.

Miami’s season begins with consecutive road trips to Big Ten opponents, starting with a Thursday night matchup against the University of Wisconsin on Aug. 28. The RedHawks will have one week before hitting the road to face Rutgers University on Sept. 6.

The nonconference slate continues when the RedHawks return to Yager to welcome the University of Las Vegas Rebels on Sept. 20, followed by the Lindenwood University Tigers on Sept. 27 at home.

At the start of MAC play, Miami will head to Northern Illinois University on Oct. 4 and Akron University on Oct. 11 before welcoming the Eastern Michigan University Eagles and Western Michigan University Broncos on Oct. 18 and 25, respectively.

This year’s Battle of the Bricks against the Ohio University Bobcats, whom the RedHawks beat in the regular season before falling 38-3 in the MAC championship, will begin midweek MACtion when Miami travels to Athens on Nov. 4 for a Tuesday night game.

The MACtion continues with a home game against the University of Toledo Rockets, who led the MAC preseason head coaches poll, on Nov. 12. Miami’s last away game has the team traveling to the University of Buffalo on Nov. 19 before closing out the regular season against Ball State University at Yager on Nov. 29.

Miami hopes to rebound from last year’s MAC championship loss while continuing the program’s recent success, including two conference championships in three appearances since 2019 and the team’s first bowl game win since 2021.

However, the road to Detroit and beyond starts with a trip to Camp Randall Stadium to face the Badgers on Aug. 28.

meneghcj@miamioh.edu