AKRON, Ohio - A hungry Miami defense came up with five takeaways, including four in the final quarter, to help the RedHawks cruise to a 41-17 win over Akron at InfoCision Stadium Saturday. The RedHawks improve to 2-4 (2-1 Mid-American Conference) with the victory, while the Zips fall to 2-2 (0-1 MAC).
Brad Koenig was the standout of the game for the RedHawk defense, coming up with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Offensively,
Kenny Young led the way with three total touchdowns.
Neither team could generate much offense to start the game, with only five first downs combined in the first quarter.
The RedHawks started to get the ball moving in the second quarter, putting together a 17-play, 71-yard drive to get on the board first. Facing a 4th & one on the Akron 3-yard line,
Alonzo Smith took the handoff and punched it in for a touchdown, giving Miami the 7-0 lead five minutes into the quarter.
After a quick three-and-out forced by the Miami defense, the offense would come right back with another big drive. This time, the RedHawks would march 78 yards in just over three minutes and find the end zone on a seven-yard connection from
Gus Ragland to Young.
The Zips would answer back with their next drive, getting into the end zone on a 17-yard pass from Kato Nelson to Nate Stewart, narrowing the Miami lead to 14-7 with under two minutes to play. Akron would get one more score before the half came to a close converting an interception into a 40-yard field goal. The RedHawks would go into the locker room with this 14-10 lead.
Ragland would end the first half completing 16-of-19 passes, including 12-of-13 in the second quarter.
Both teams would start the third quarter with a three-and-out punt. However, the Zips' punt would result in a fumble, recovered by Akron's Ulysses Gilbert and returned for a touchdown. This gave the Zips their first lead of the game at 17-14 with 11:06 left in the quarter. Miami would waste no time retaking the lead, as the Red and White strung together a 6-play, 57-yard drive in just over two minutes, capped by Young's second touchdown of the day.
The RedHawks extended the lead before the third quarter come to a close after a fourth-down conversion from Ragland led to a 27-yard field goal from Sam Sloman. Miami would take this 24-17 lead into the fourth.
Young would continue his big day into the final quarter. After the Miami defense forced another Akron punt to start the quarter, Young would break free for a 74-yard run and his third touchdown of the day.
The Miami defense would step up in the fourth to preserve the lead, as the RedHawks would come up with takeaways on four straight Akron possessions.
Bart Baratti and Koenig would each come up with back-to-back diving interceptions on consecutive Akron drives, and Koenig would recover a fumble on the very next series. Koenig's third takeaway would then follow in the form of another interception. The 'Hawks would turn these turnovers into 10 points, extending their lead to 41-17 and cruising to the victory.
The RedHawks outgained Akron 422-259 with a balanced attack that saw Miami gain over 200 yards both through the air and on the ground. Miami limited the Zips to just 94 yards in the second half.
Ragland finished the game completing 24-of-33 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown, while
Dominique Robinson led all receivers with 77 yards.
Miami will be back home next weekend, hosting Kent State for a 2:30 kick at Yager Stadium.
