Oct. 29, 2011
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OXFORD, Ohio--Miami University's football team (3-5, 2-2 MAC) racked up its most points since 2007 in an impressive victory over the Buffalo Bulls (2-7, 1-4 MAC) Saturday, winning 41-13. Junior quarterback Zac Dysert threw for 313 yards and a school record-tying five touchdowns in the victory, while freshman wide receiver Dawan Scott posted his second straight 100-yard receiving day, hauling in 141 yards on three catches.
In addition to the offensive outburst, Miami's stingy defense gave the RedHawks a huge advantage after a shootout in the first quarter. After allowing 13 points and 160 yards on Buffalo's first two drives, Miami held the Bulls scoreless the rest of the game while forcing three turnovers.
On the second play of the game, Dysert threw a 71-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Scott to give Miami an early lead. Sophomore Mason Krysinski converted the extra point to make the score 7-0. The touchdown came just 38 seconds into the game, which was the fastest opening touchdown of the season thus far for Miami.
Buffalo responded on the very next drive with a long touchdown pass of its own. The 60-yard pass from Chazz Anderson to Alex Neutz finished off the six-play, 75-yard drive for the Bulls and tied the game at 7-7.
Dysert marched the RedHawks right down the field again on the next drive, punctuated by another touchdown pass, this one a 7-yarder to junior wide receiver Andy Cruse. The scoring play capped a 10-play, 74-yard drive and gave Miami a 14-7 lead.
The barrage of scoring continued when the Bulls' Anderson ran it in from the 1-yard line to finish Buffalo's 11-play, 85-yard scoring drive. The extra point was wide right, however, so Miami's lead was reduced to 14-13.
Miami's next drive proved no different than the previous two, as Dysert threw his third touchdown pass of the first quarter to give Miami a 21-13 lead. Dysert eclipsed 7,000 career passing yards during the drive, becoming only the 21st quarterback in MAC history to reach the milestone. He also moved into second place all-time on Miami's career passing list, passing former RedHawk Josh Betts who amassed 6,853 yards from 2002-05. Miami rifled the ball down the field in a scoring drive that spanned just 1:33.
Both teams' aerial assaults ruled the first quarter of the game, with both quarterbacks going a combined 17-19 for 333 yards and five total touchdowns. Dysert was 9-9 for 187 yards and three touchdowns.
Miami and Buffalo gave the scoreboard a breather until the RedHawks scored with 5:50 left in the second quarter on a Dysert 6-yard pass to sophomore running back Justin Semmes. Krysinski converted the PAT to extend Miami's lead to 28-13. The score held for the rest of the half, which gave Miami its first halftime lead of the season.
Miami's offense continued to produce in the second half, scoring on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Tyrone Jones, the first of his career, to give the RedHawks a 35-13 lead with 8:23 remaining in the third quarter. The four-play, 51-yard scoring drive was set up by 50 total yards from Dysert.
On Buffalo's next offensive play, Miami junior defensive lineman Jason Semmes forced his first career fumble and it was recovered by senior safety Anthony Kokal. The turnover gave the RedHawks the ball on the Buffalo 31-yard line. Miami capitalized on the good field position, scoring on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Dysert to senior wide receiver Chris Givens for Givens' second touchdown of the day. The extra point was no good, giving Miami a 41-13 lead with 4:22 left in the third quarter.
The touchdown pass was Dysert's fifth of the game, tying the Miami single-game record held by Sam Ricketts and Ben Roethlisberger. He also went over 300 passing yards for the day, giving him the tenth 300-plus yard passing day of his career.
After the Miami score, Buffalo got as close as the Miami 15-yard line, but penalties and a Jason Semmes sack forced the Bulls back to the 33-yard line. Miami then forced its second turnover of the game, an interception by Kokal in the end zone that resulted in a touchback.
Buffalo produced a turnover of its own two plays later, forcing a Miami fumble and returning it to the Miami 1-yard line. Miami's defense held strong though, stuffing three straight Buffalo running plays before sophomore cornerback Dayonne Nunley intercepted a fourth-down pass attempt in the end zone to cap the impressive goal-line stand. It was Nunley's third interception of the season and the ninth of his career.
Neither team scored in the remaining minutes, making the final score 41-13. It was Miami's first Homecoming victory since 2007.
Not to be lost in the offense's big day is the stifling defense played by the RedHawks. Kokal led all Miami defenders with eight tackles, in addition to his interception and fumble recovery. Semmes, senior linebacker Ryan Kennedy and junior defensive lineman Austin Brown all had a sack, and Buffalo's Anderson was constantly forced out of the pocket, which handicapped the Bulls' ability their offense going.
Buffalo's Fred Branch led all players with 10 tackles on the day, and Okoye Houston hauled in the first interception of his career. Anderson finished with 281 yards on 24-41 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Neutz had four catches with 110 yards and a touchdown.
Miami has a short week ahead; the RedHawks take on Akron at home on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
