The Miami University RedHawks football team (6-5, 5-2 in conference play) will look to close out the regular season with a win at Yager Stadium against the Ball State University Cardinals (4-7, 3-4 in conference play). A win on Nov. 29 will put the RedHawks one step closer to a spot in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship on Dec. 6.
With their last win against the University of Buffalo Bulls, as well as Buffalo’s loss to the Ohio University Bobcats on Nov. 28, the RedHawks only need to win this year’s edition of the Battle of the Red Birds to make it back to Ford Field for the third-straight year. They would face the Western Michigan University Broncos, who clinched their spot with a win over the Eastern Michigan University Eagles on Nov. 25.
Today’s game will be redshirt freshman quarterback Thomas Gotkowski’s first career start. He threw for 185 yards and scored two touchdowns, one in the air and one rushing, after stepping in for redshirt senior quarterback Henry Hesson against Buffalo.
Gotkowski’s passing touchdown went to redshirt senior receiver Kam Perry, his fifth of the season. Redshirt freshman running back D’Shawntae Jones added two more scores, and he leads the roster with six rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, the RedHawks dominated Buffalo’s offensive line with six total sacks. Five players found their way to Buffalo quarterback Ta’quan Roberson once, including redshirt junior defensive lineman Adam Trick, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Bai Jobe and redshirt senior linebacker Jackson Kuwatch.
Redshirt junior linebacker Grant Lyons and sophomore defensive lineman Jayden Fuller each forced a fumble as well, while redshirt senior defensive back Silas Walters and freshman defensive back Adrian Walker Jr. caught one interception apiece.
Miami’s win knocked the Bulls out of MAC championship contention. If the RedHawks win against Ball State, there would be a three-way tie for second place between Miami, Ohio and either the University of Toledo Rockets or the Central Michigan University Chippewas. The conference’s tiebreaker rules would put the RedHawks in Detroit for the fourth time since 2019.
Ball State sits at eighth in the MAC after dropping its last two games against Eastern Michigan and Toledo. The Cardinals are out of championship and bowl game contention, but they are instead competing for the Red Bird Rivalry Trophy, which they haven’t won since 2019.
Redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly has been the standout player in the air and on the ground for Ball State. Kelly has thrown for 1,383 yards and eight touchdowns, and he leads the roster with 547 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Redshirt junior running back Qua Ashley has been the second threat in the backfield with 525 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Freshman running back Jalen Bonds came back from injury two games ago and led the Cardinals in both rushing yards (58) and receiving yards (54) in their last game against Toledo.
Senior defensive end Nathan Voorhis headlines the Ball State defense, ranking fifth in the nation with 11 sacks and averaging one per game. Redshirt junior outside linebacker Dejuan Echoles Jr. backs him up with three sacks this season, including one in the Cardinals’ last game.
The secondary has combined for nine interceptions this year, three coming from redshirt senior defensive back Joedrick Lewis. Sophomore defensive backs Eric McClain and Willizhuan Yates each caught one against Toledo.
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Ball State’s record puts the team in a better position than last year, when the team finished 3-9 and 2-6 in MAC play. However, their loss against the Rockets officially knocked the Cardinals out of championship contention and continued their losing streak on the road. Ball State hasn’t won a game this season outside of its home stadium.
The Cardinals began MAC play with a 20-14 home win over Ohio, who defeated the RedHawks on Nov. 4. One week later, they were shut out 42-0 to Western Michigan. They finished the year with two more wins against the University of Akron Zips and Kent State University Golden Flashes while losing twice on the road and once at home to Eastern Michigan.
Miami defeated the Cardinals last season in its first midweek MACtion game. The RedHawks hold a 24-13-1 record in the rivalry and have kept the Red Bird Rivalry Trophy since 2020. One more win to close out the regular season and retain the trophy would also send the RedHawks packing for Detroit.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Yager. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
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