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Recap: Miami’s rushing attack dominates in 34-14 win over Akron

<p>Rodney Nelson runs the ball to the end zone in game against Akron</p>

Rodney Nelson runs the ball to the end zone in game against Akron

The Miami University RedHawks (4-3, 2-1) faced off against the University of Akron Zips (1-6, 0-3) on Oct. 17 at Yager Stadium. 

Akron got off to a hot start, with sophomore quarterback Brayden Roggow completing two chunk passes for 31 and 49 yards, respectively. Roggow capped off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Marcel Williams. 

Miami ignited a spark with just over two minutes left in the first quarter when a tipped pass by Roggow was intercepted by senior safety Ben Minich. The RedHawks took over on Akron’s 26-yard line. 

Three plays later, junior running back Rodney Nelson reached the endzone on a 9-yard touchdown run. 

Senior quarterback Caleb Heavner had a 22-yard rush on Miami’s next drive to get the RedHawks near the 50-yard line, but a 9-yard sack by Akron junior defensive end Cyrus Durham stalled Miami’s drive. 

Miami got the ball back at its own 20-yard line with five minutes left in the half, and on the first play of the drive freshman wide receiver Scoop Smith ran for 69 yards on a jet sweep to Akron’s 11-yard line. 

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Junior kicker Kellan McLaughlin converted a 28-yard field goal to put Miami up 17-14 after the RedHawks failed to capitalize on Smith’s big play. 

Akron went three-and-out on its next drive, and a poor punt by Zips senior punter Joseph Castle gave the RedHawks the ball back with under two minutes in the half at Akron’s 37-yard line.

Nelson rushed for 10 yards on the first play, and then Heavner threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to junior wideout Damarion Witten in the corner of the endzone. 

The two teams traded possessions in the final minute. A Heavner interception and later a 1-yard rush by senior running back Jordan Grant took the game to halftime with the RedHawks leading 17-7. 

After Akron’s 97-yard touchdown drive on its first possession of the game, the Miami defense only allowed three more first downs forin the remainder of the first half. 

The Zips opened the second half by working their way into field goal range, but sophomore kicker Matthew Schramm’s 53-yard field goal attempt was no good.  

Miami drove down the field following the miss, fueled by a 36-yard rush by Nelson. The RedHawks capped off the drive with a successful 24-yard field goal by McLaughlin to go up 20-7. 

Senior linebacker Blayne Myrick intercepted a Roggow passing attempt, and he returned it 36-yards for a RedHawk touchdown. The score extended Miami’s lead to 27-7.

“We had more confidence than they did,” Myrick said. “We knew we were going to win. We knew we were better than them, and so we just kept playing.”

Akron junior wide receiver Brandon Hills returned the kickoff back to the Miami 28-yard line, and four plays later, Gant scored a touchdown on a 10-yard rush to narrow Miami’s lead 27-14.

The Zips successfully converted an onside kick and immediately got the ball back with under a minute in the third quarter. 

Roggow threw his third interception of the game to senior cornerback Amariyun Knighten, and the RedHawks took over at their own 42-yard line. 

Nelson got a carry on the first play of the drive and took the ball 58 yards to the endzone for his second touchdown of the game.

“We tried to emphasize this week running the ball, putting force on blocks and opening the run lanes,” Nelson said. “So I think we did a good job at that.”

Akron picked up one first down on the following drive, but then Roggow threw another interception, this one to junior cornerback Kaleb Martin. 

It was Miami’s first game forcing four interceptions since the 2011 Godaddy.com Bowl. 

Neither team scored the rest of the game, and Miami earned the win, the final score 34-14. 

The RedHawks totaled 324 rushing yards, with an average of 9.3 yards per rush. Nelson led the charge with 13 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns. 

It was head coach Chuck Martin’s 150th career win.

“Everything was a positive day,” Martin said. “Our running game is the best it’s been. It’s been getting better the last couple weeks. We need to run the ball, and the defense is stopping the run and then making plays and passes.” 

Next, Miami will face the Central Michigan University Chippewas on the road on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+.

hartlapo@miamioh.edu

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