Aug. 31, 2006
Recap | Final Stats
NORTHWESTERN 21, MIAMI 3
AUGUST 31, 2006
MIAMI GAME NOTES
TEAM:
- Miami and Northwestern met for the eighth time and the first time in Oxford. The Wildcats ended a five-game losing streak to the RedHawks and closed their deficit in the series to 6-2.
- Miami fell to 78-34-6 in season openers and 86-25-4 in home openers. The RedHawks have won seven of their last 10 home openers. The Red and White dropped back-to-back home openers for the first time since 1994-95 and have lost four of their last seven home games since setting a Yager Stadium record with a 10-game win streak from 2003-04.
- Miami had 11 combined first-time starters on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, while four other players made only their second career start.
- Miami was held scoreless in the first half for the second straight home game. Last season it was blanked in the opening half in a loss to Bowling Green (Nov. 15).
- The RedHawk defense, featuring nine new starters, was strong in the first half, blanking an opponent in the first half for the first time since its win over Buffalo last season (Nov. 5), and holding NU to less than four yards per play.
- Miami was held without a touchdown for the first time since a 21-3 loss at Iowa to open the 2003 season.
INDIVIDUAL
- Miami entered the game without starting running back Brandon Murphy (ankle) and starting left tackle Charlie Norden (foot).
- Junior Mike Kokal made his debut as Miami's starting quarterback, completing 16-of-26 passes for 175 yards. He also rushed for 32 yards on 14 carries.
- Senior wide receiver Ryne Robinson recorded his ninth 100-yard receiving day on the night, hauling in nine receptions for 144 yards. He ranks second all-time at Miami in career 100-yard receiving days.
- Senior safety Joey Card, totaled a game-high 10 tackles, including a career-high nine solo stops.
- Sophomore punter Jacob Richardson booted a career-long 69-yard punt on the night, surpassing his previous long of 60 yards established last season versus Bowling Green (Nov. 15). On the night he averaged 45.2 yards on five punts but also had a punt blocked for the first time in his career.
- Sophomore place kicker Nathan Parseghian made his debut as Miami's starter, converting a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter for Miami's first points of the season. He later missed from 37 yards out.
