Preview: RedHawks visit the Victory Bell one last time

In 1888, the Miami University Redskins faced the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in what would be the first ever collegiate football game played in Ohio. The game ended in a confusing 0-0 tie, setting the pace for a rivalry that would last over 100 years.

The rivalry will come to a close at 3:30 p.m., Sept. 19 at TQL stadium in Cincinnati, as the Miami University RedHawks (1-1) will face the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (2-0). This will be the 129th time these two teams have squared off. The RedHawks are 60-61-7 against the Bearcats all-time and look to fittingly tie the record with a win.

Miami previously defeated the University of Holy Cross Crusaders 45-7 to secure its first win of the 2026-27 season. Quarterback David McComb threw for an impressive 234 yards, three touchdowns and a perfect 13-13 on pass attempts. He also scored a rushing touchdown on a read-option. He accomplished all this in just the first half. McComb will look to continue this stellar play against a Bearcat defense that hasn’t allowed more than 15 points through its first two games.

In past games, the RedHawks utilized their roster depth. Eight players had at least one carry, and seven receivers had at least one reception in the game. Miami has continued to prove that McComb is surrounded by weapons, a key aspect of the game plan against Cincinnati.

“We’re spreading the ball out to everybody,” McComb said. “Everybody’s ready. Everyone’s running routes and they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.”

Junior receiver Lynel Billups-Williams leads the team in receiving yards (104) after a 73-yard outing with a touchdown against the Crusaders. Close behind him is junior deep threat Damarion Witten who has reached the 100 total yard mark on just three receptions, two of which resulted in touchdowns.

While Miami hasn’t run the ball nearly as much, redshirt sophomore running back D’Shawntae Jones has established an effective 57 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

The Bearcats have prioritized a much heavier run scheme than the RedHawks through the first two games. Senior running back Gi’Bran Payne has led the charge with an impressive 210 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Junior back Cole Tabb and sophomore back Jalen Williams have also surpassed the 100-yard mark through two games, with 11 and nine carries, respectively.

On the passing side, Bearcat senior wideout JV Gibson has established himself as senior quarterback JC French IV’s primary target with 133 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. French IV has thrown for 322 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on 31 of 38 completions this season.

Miami’s defense, which bounced back against Holy Cross after giving up 59 points against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, will look to stifle the Bearcat run game and continue improving as a unit.

“Our defense got all the stops,” said head coach Chuck Martin after the win against Holy Cross. “That’s it. Again, it was a good step forward. We got a long, long way to go. We did a lot of things today not under duress, but we did them.”

The RedHawks now face a rival that put up 34 points in its first game and 62 in its second. With a promising McComb-led RedHawk offense, expect a high-scoring finale to the Battle for the Victory Bell.