Miami Falls to WMU in Family Weekend Duel

Saturday, October 22

Oxford, Ohio

3:30 p.m.

Miami University

Western Michigan

10/22/2022 7:28:00 PM | Football

Box Score Jacquez Warren and Brett Gabbert Press Conference Photo Gallery

OXFORD, Ohio — The return of starting quarterback Brett Gabbert wasn't enough for the Miami University football team Saturday afternoon, as the RedHawks fell at home to Western Michigan 16-10.

In his first game for the RedHawks (3-5, 1-3 MAC) since suffering an injury in the season opener, Gabbert put up 222 passing yards against the Broncos (3-5, 2-2 MAC). The narrow loss snaps Miami's 16-game home winning streak, the second-longest in school history.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After a game-opening sack from Brian Ugwu led into a quick three-and-out from WMU, the RedHawks began their first drive of the game at their own 36. Tyre Shelton rushed for 26 yards on Miami's first play, and the Red and White eventually converted the drive into points with Graham Nicholson putting up a 23-yard field goal for the early lead.
Miami allowed two field goals before the end of the first half. The first, a 52-yarder from Palmer Domschke, capped a lengthy 12-play possession, while the second closed out the half after a fourth-down penalty kept the visitors' drive alive. Domschke's 46-yard kick as the second quarter expired gave WMU a 6-3 lead.
The Broncos scored on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter. WMU got the game's first touchdown on an 11-play drive that culminated in a 20-yard rush from Sean Tyler. WMU followed that up with another Domschke field goal shortly after a fumble recovery at the RedHawks' 32 to go ahead 16-3.
Gabbert led the charge to give Miami its first and only touchdown of the game midway through the fourth quarter. Beginning with a 26-yard throw to Jack Coldiron, the RedHawks drove down the field on nine plays. Gabbert finished the drive with a nine-yard scoring run on fourth down to cut the deficit to 16-10, but the Miami comeback attempt would come up just short.

GAME NOTES:

Luke Bolden blocked the first punt of his career.
Nolan Johnson made his first career start and had a career-high eight tackles and two pass breakups.
Ugwu had a career-high three tackles for loss.
The RedHawks' last loss at Yager Stadium had been Sept. 29, 2018, also against Western Michigan.

UP NEXT:
Miami Football returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 29, as the RedHawks travel to take on Akron. Start time is set for 12 p.m. with broadcast on ESPN+.