Nov. 17, 2010
Final Stats | Notes
AKRON, Ohio - Trevor Cook booted four field goals and Thomas Merriweather rushed for a career-best 141 yards leading Miami to a 19-14 victory over upset-minded and winless Akron Wednesday night at InfoCision Stadium. With the win, the RedHawks (7-4, 6-1) climb back into a first-place tie with Ohio in the Mid-American Conference East Division.
Redshirt freshman Austin Boucher, starting in place of the injured Zac Dysert, executed a limited offensive package for 395 yards of total offense, including 213 through the air. He completed 22 of 32 attempts in just his fourth career game. Akron was poised to pull the upset in the final minute, driving to the Miami 13 with just under two minutes remaining, but Jordain Brown stripped Jeremy LaFrance at the 8 and Jordan Gafford recovered.
Miami dominated the battle of field position in the opening 15 minutes, twice starting drives in Akron territory, but the RedHawks had to punt three times. The Zips took possession for the third time at its own 9 late in the period, embarking on their longest scoring drive of the season. The Zips marched 91 yards on 12 plays to take a 7-0 lead just four seconds into the second quarter. Pass completions of 56 and 22 yards made up the majority of the attack.
But Miami immediately responded, needing just five plays to cover the 67 yards needed to even the game at 7. Thomas Merriweather covered the final four yards for his seventh rushing touchdown of the season. Boucher completed all three pass attempts on the drive, hitting Armand Robinson for 22 yards, Chris Givens for 13 and Nick Harwell for 22. He also saved a sack by scrambling for a yard.
The RedHawks took the lead 10-7 on its next possession. Taking over at the 21, Miami covered 75 yards on 11 plays to set up by 22-yard field goal by Trevor Cook. Another big play helped Akron jump out to a 14-10 lead early in the third. On the second play from scrimmage, Alex Allen burst through the right side of the line for a 91-yard touchdown run, the fourth-longest rush in Zips history.
But Cook hit field goals of 25 and 27 yards on the RedHawks' next two possessions to take a 16-14 lead.
Miami concludes the regular season Tuesday night at home against Temple on ESPN2. The RedHawks can clinch at least a share of the MAC's East Division title with a victory.
