The Miami University RedHawks football team (7-6) will head west to play in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl looking to defend its title from last year’s bowl game. The Mid-American Conference (MAC) runner-ups will face the Fresno State Bulldogs (8-4), who finished fifth in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), at 4:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 27 in Tucson, Arizona.
Looking to rebound from a tough loss in the MAC Championship, the RedHawks will push to reach eight wins for the third-straight season. In a recent press conference, Miami head coach Chuck Martin said the break between games will be crucial to the team's recovery, which has been decimated by injuries recently.
The Arizona Bowl will be the final game for several seniors who have been instrumental for the RedHawks this season. Defensive back Eli Blakey, the team’s leader in tackles, and standout safety Silas Walters will close out their time with the team in Tucson. After suffering a season-ending injury in the regular season , linebacker Corban Hondru will miss the bowl game; however, he plans to make the trip for the final time as a RedHawk.
Miami will continue to rely on redshirt freshman quarterback Thomas Gotkowski, who has embraced a starting role during a turbulent season for the position. Sidelined by injury during the second half of the championship game, Gotkowski looks to return to the impressive play from his previous two games.
Gotkowski will have to lead the offense without leading receiver Kam Perry, who entered the transfer portal and will not be a part of the bowl game. Redshirt sophomore receivers Cole Weaver and Keith Reynolds will have the tough task of filling the shoes of the nearly 1,000-yard receiver.
Redshirt senior running back Jordan Brunson will return for what is likely his final game. Expect Brunson to add to his team-high 724 rushing yards, but do not be surprised if redshirt freshman D’Shawntae Jones takes on a more prominent role in the Arizona Bowl.
On the defensive side of the ball, Miami will be without breakout defensive lineman Adam Trick and defensive back Mychal Yharbrough, who have opted out of the bowl game with intentions of entering the transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Malcolm McCain and redshirt freshman defensive back Koy Beasley are strong candidates to replicate the missing production.
Fresno State is led by first-year head coach Matt Entz, who is on the hunt to get his first bowl game win with the Bulldogs. Senior quarterback EJ Warner has been the starter for most of the season. However, Entz played coy about who would start in the bowl game in a recent press conference, so sophomore Carson Conklin may get the nod.
Each quarterback has put up impressive passing yard numbers, but both have a propensity to throw interceptions. Warner leads the MWC with 11 interceptions this season, while Conklin has thrown two picks of his own.
In the Bulldogs’ season finale, redshirt junior leading running back Rayshon Luke suffered a season-ending injury. Sophomore Bryson Donelson, who split a share of the rushing duties with Luke, will likely be the featured back, and senior Johnathan Arceneaux may contribute as well.
On defense, senior linebacker Jadon Pearson leads the Bulldogs in tackles and should feature prominently in what is likely his final game. The cornerback duo of redshirt junior Simeon Harris and senior Al'zillion Hamilton will test Gotkowski’s accuracy as they combined for nine interceptions this season.
The Bulldogs do not have any notable opt-outs for the Arizona Bowl at this point; however, two other key injuries could potentially limit Fresno State offensively. Senior tight end Jake Tarwater, who played over 300 snaps for the Bulldogs, and junior offensive line stalwart Edward Fonua, who played over 750 snaps, both suffered season-ending injuries in Fresno State’s last game of the regular season and will not play in the Arizona Bowl.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Miami has never faced Fresno State on the football field. Last year’s win over Colorado State maintained the RedHawks’ perfect record in bowl games against MWCopponents. Overall, Miami is 9-7 in bowl games, but the RedHawks have not won consecutive postseason games since the 1970s.
Martin shared his excitement about returning to the so-called “Snooper Bowl” as the RedHawks earned another week to hang out with rap icon Snoop Dogg. Miami will travel to Arizona no doubt blasting iconic Snoop Dogg hits – “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “California Gurls” – however, Martin said amongst the fun, the team will continue to take advantage of the week of practice ahead.
For the Miami fans heading south to Tucson for the bowl game festivities, there are a variety of other bowl festivities to take place. A pep rally featuring bands, cheerleaders and potentially Snoop Dogg himself will take place on Dec. 26 in downtown Tucson. Prior to kickoff on Dec. 27, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s joint venture, Gin and Juice, will host a tailgate featuring a battle of the bands.
Read More
5 cute and cozy classics to read this winter
By Karma Abboud | December 19, 2025As falling leaves turn to snow, there’s no better way to pass the time indoors than to brew a cup of tea, curl up on the couch and get lost in a good book. But rather than reaching for the latest Colleen Hoover, why not broaden your horizons with a beloved classic?
Fake or fir: The Christmas tree dilemma
By Jacob Van Riper | December 15, 2025"The choice between a fresh-cut tree and a synthetic one is a choice between two ideas of Christmas. One is living, innately imperfect and genuine. The other is precise and mass-produced, but empty of the warmth and story that made our cultural habit so meaningful in the first place."
Miami Board of Trustees approved campus renovations and new master's degree, announced arena update at upcoming February meeting
By Taylor Stumbaugh | December 12, 2025The Miami University Board of Trustees adopted resolutions to remove four buildings on Spring Street during the summer of 2026 and approved the Morris, Emerson and Tappan Hall renovations during the Dec. 12 meeting.