MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Trailing 21-3 at halftime, the Miami University football team scored 17 unanswered points to make it a one-point contest in the fourth quarter, falling just short to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 31-26, on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the RedHawks to 0-2 on the year while Minnesota improves to 1-1.
How it Happened:
- Following a Miami turnover on the opening possession of the game, Minnesota marched down the field to take an early 7-0 advantage.
- Miami answered with an 11-play, 50-yard drive that concluded with a 46-yard field goal by Graham Nicholson.
- The Golden Gophers scored a pair of second quarter touchdowns and led 21-3 at the half.
- To begin the second half, the RedHawk defense forced a three-and-out. On the ensuing drive, Miami traveled 59 yards, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from AJ Mayer to make it 21-10.
- Following another defensive stop, the RedHawks used the short field to make it a one-score game, 21-13, after a 45-yard field goal from Nicholson with 1:30 left in the third quarter.
- Miami's defense continued its second-half dominance and handed the ball back to Brett Gabbert and the offense. Miami converted on several third downs the following drive before Gabbert hit Jack Sorenson on a 23-yard fade route to make it a 21-20 contest with 12:32 remaining.
- Minnesota scored 10 points in a span of three minutes and led 31-20 with 6:15 to play.
- Gabbert connected with Mac Hippenhammer on a 33-yard touchdown as the RedHawks trailed 31-26 with 3:43 to play, but Miami could get no closer.
Notes:
- Gabbert made his first start of the year after missing last week's contest at Cincinnati.
- Mike Brown had a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss.
- Jack Coldiron had a career-high four catches for 67 yards.
Up Next:
Miami hosts Long Island University on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
