RedHawks get first MAC win despite spirited UMass comeback attempt

The Miami University football team (3-3, 1-1) traveled to the easternmost reaches of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), to take on the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Minutemen (4-2). It was a battle of the backups at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, as both teams came in without the quarterbacks who started their seasons.

UMass freshman quarterback Aedan McCarthy made his first collegiate start, replacing the injured senior Pop Watson III. McCarthy showed his poise early, as the Minutemen opened the scoring. Senior running back Curtis Kimmons IV capped off the 11-play, 83-yard drive with a 23-yard rushing touchdown, his fourth of the season.

Senior quarterback Caleb Heavner got the start for the RedHawks. On Miami’s first scoring drive of the game, Heavner led the team down the field with several chunk scramble plays. Freshman wide receiver Scoop Smith showcased his elusiveness with a 20-yard scamper into the endzone on a reverse play, tying the game 7-7.

The Minutemen turned the ball over on fourth down on their next drive, so the RedHawks started their next drive with a short field to go. Heavner capped off the 34-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.

UMass would kick a field goal on its next drive to make the score 14-10, the only points of an otherwise scoreless second quarter.

The third quarter was also marked by effective defense. With three minutes to go in the quarter, fifth-year senior Grant Lyons recovered a UMass fumble inside the Minutemen redzone. The RedHawk offense took the ball inside the 10-yard line, however, Miami ultimately settled for a field goal. Reigning MAC Special Teams Player of the Week, Kellan McLaughlin, nailed a 27-yard chip-shot field goal to extend the RedHawk’s lead to a touchdown.

After a UMass three-and-out, Miami drove the ball into field goal range. The RedHawks called on their redshirt-junior kicker, who converted the 47-yard try. Miami took a 20-10 lead with under 12 minutes of playing time.

The Minutemen drove down the field into the red zone but, McCarthy was injured on the drive. Third-string sophomore quarterback Logan Inagawa would be undercenter for the rest of the game. UMass cut the lead to just a touchdown with a 34-yard field goal.

After a quick, unsuccessful Miami drive, UMass got the ball at its own 9-yard line with a little more than two minutes left. A sack pinned the Minutemen inside their own 3-yard line.

Inagawa and the offense drove the ball 97-yards down the field, scoring a 21-yard touchdown pass with one second remaining. The Minutemen converted both a second-and-16 and fourth-down play on their drive. Looking for the win, UMass decided to go for a two-point conversion. On a double reverse play, junior linebacker Malcolm McCain secured the win with a tackle for loss.

Throughout the game, Miami’s defense was routinely charged for a variety of unforced pass interference and holding penalties. The defense played well for stretches of the game, but when it mattered most on the final drive, they almost gave the game away.

Although the RedHawks secured the victory 20-19, Miami fans will continue to ask questions about the coaching decisions made. As online narratives continue to swirl, Miami will look to get another convincing conference win against the University of Akron at Yager Stadium next weekend at 3:30 p.m.