Recap: Miami football worsens MAC championship chances with second-straight loss to Toledo

The Miami University RedHawks football team (5-5, 4-2 in conference play) dropped its second-straight game to the University of Toledo Rockets (6-4, 4-2 in conference play). The loss created a five-way tie for second place in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

The Rockets outplayed the RedHawks in nearly every category. They had more passing (169) and rushing yards (147), and senior Rockets quarterback Tucker Gleason threw 169 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Redshirt senior quarterback Henry Hesson started for the RedHawks instead of seventh-year starter Dequan Finn, who was ruled out with an illness according to the MAC availability report before the game. Hesson threw for 147 yards and three interceptions while getting sacked six times.

Toledo’s defense, one of the best in the nation for total yards allowed per game, squandered most of Miami’s offensive drives. The RedHawks were 5-16 on third-down conversions and 2-6 on fourth-down conversions, and they punted four times.

“[We] didn’t have a good enough plan, and that starts with me,” head coach Chuck Martin said. “We didn’t execute the plan. Disappointing, absolutely, from an offensive standpoint. We knew they were coming in third in the country on defense.”

Miami’s defense halted two Toledo offensive drives to start the game. Redshirt junior linebacker Eli Coppess and redshirt senior defensive back Eli Blakey each caught an interception to send the ball the other way after the Rockets had made it into opposing territory twice in the first quarter. However, the RedHawks only had two punts to show for the turnovers.

The RedHawks attempted two fourth-down conversions in the first half but couldn’t convert on either. After a scoreless first quarter, Toledo got on the board first with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Chip Trayanum.

Hesson threw an interception to senior defensive back Nasir Bowers, who returned it 44 yards down the field into Miami territory, but the RedHawks forced a Toledo punt on the next drive. Miami also punted on its next drive, but sophomore receiver Bryson Hammer took off for a 54-yard gain to set the Rockets up at the Miami 6-yard line.

Gleason found senior tight end Jacob Petersen in the endzone to extend Toledo’s lead to two scores before the half.

Toledo added another touchdown on its opening drive of the third quarter. Trayanum rushed for 29 yards to put the ball in opposing territory, and Gleason later targeted freshman receiver Ryder Treadway for a 24-yard touchdown to put the Rockets up 21-0 early in the second half.

Miami’s luck took another turn for the worse when Hesson threw his second interception to junior safety Braden Awls. That set up a Toledo field goal courtesy of sophomore kicker Dylan Cunanan, putting the Rockets up 24-0.

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The RedHawks prevented a complete shutout when redshirt senior kicker Dom Dzioban put a 26-yard field goal attempt through the posts, cutting Miami’s deficit to 21 to close out the third quarter. However, this would be the final points Miami could muster.

Both teams traded punts, and Toledo junior running back Kenji Christian fumbled the ball on a carry to give the RedHawks possession halfway through the fourth quarter. However, they were unable to convert on a fourth-and-10, giving the ball right back to the Rockets.

Hesson threw his third interception to Avery Smith with three minutes on the clock. Toledo didn’t score on its last drive, but the turnover sealed any chance of Miami adding more points to the board. The RedHawks fell 24-3 in their second-straight loss in MAC play.

Martin said losing last week to Ohio University already worsened the RedHawks’ chances to make it to the MAC championship. However, the loss to Toledo dug Miami into an even deeper hole, although the RedHawks are not 100% out of contention.

“Last week stings because that’s one game we had with 2:40 left,” Martin said. “You get that one, even if you lose this one, you’re still breathing a lot better than we are. But we’re a beaten down team right now. We got a lot of work to do this week to get them as fresh as we can.”

Miami, Toledo, Ohio, Central Michigan University and the University of Buffalo all have a 4-2 record in conference play. Western Michigan University leads the MAC at 5-1, but the No. 2 spot is up in the air.

The RedHawks face Buffalo next week on the road on Nov. 19 and close the regular season out at home against Ball State University on Nov. 29.

@kethanbabu_04

babukc2@miamioh.edu