Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University
University of Florida
RedHawks Hang Tough at Florida
9/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 4, 2010
Gainesville, Fla. - Miami's defense turned in a stellar performance - limiting Florida to just 41 yards through three quarters - but the Gators capitalized on several big plays for a 34-12 victory Saturday afternoon in "The Swamp". The RedHawks were within nine points in the fourth quarter at 21-9 before the Gators sealed the game with a pair of touchdowns late in the fourth quarter.
Miami (0-1) and Florida both finished the game with 212 yards of total offense, with 208 of the RedHawks coming through the air. Florida had minus-16 yards on the ground until posting 115 yards rushing in the fourth quarter.
Trevor Cook kicked a career-best four field goals and Zac Dysert completed 25 of 44 for 191 yards to pace the RedHawks. Armand Robinson tallied a career-high 11 catches for 111 yards as well.
Miami jumped out to a 3-0 lead by capitalizing on a Florida fumble. Sophomore Pat Hinkel recovered an errant shotgun snap at the Gator 24, setting up Cook for a 33-yard field goal with 7:01 left in the first quarter. The period ended with Miami holding Florida to minus-nine yards of total offense, including -28 on the ground.
Florida stormed back in the second quarter with 21 points, all set up by Miami miscues. The Gators took the lead, 7-3, on a 67-yard interception return by Janoris Jenkins at the 13:14 mark. Florida went up 14-3 after taking over on downs after a missed fake punt attempt at the Miami 21. The five-play drive was capped with a 21-yard pass from John Brantley to Omarius Hines with 9:27 left in the period.
A second Dysert interception helped the Gators add to their lead less than 90 seconds later. Ahmad Black returned a pick 40 yards to the RedHawk 3, setting up Trey Burton from there on the second play. The point-after made the score 21-3 with 8:03 before halftime.
But Miami answered right back, driving 61 yards on 16 plays for a field goal just before halftime. Cook connected from 31 yards out this time, marking the sixth time in his career that he hit multiple field goals in a game.
Cook added to his total with another pair in the second half to cut the margin to 21-12 early in the fourth quarter. Another 31-yarder with 6:33 left in the third capped a six-play, 15-yard drive. The defense again proved strong, nearly earning a safety on a third-and 31 tackle at the Florida 1.
After a missed Florida field goal, Dysert directed the RedHawks to a first-and-goal at the five, but the drive stalled and Cook tacked on Miami's final points of the day with another 33-yarder.
Florida's team speed and depth helped put the game out of reach. Jeff Demps broke through the RedHawks' line for a 72-yard touchdown run just two plays later, while Chris Rainey caught a tipped pass in the endzone with just over one minute to play to make the final score 34-12.
Miami heads home to Oxford next week for its Mid-American Conference opener. The RedHawks host Eastern Michigan Saturday at 2 p.m. at Yager Stadium.
