AKRON, Ohio – Behind a dominating defensive effort, the Miami University football team (4-5, 2-3 MAC) picked up a 27-9 win over the Akron Zips (1-8, 0-5 MAC) on Saturday afternoon at Infocision Stadium. The RedHawks' defense forced three turnovers, recorded four sacks, had a pick-six and held the Zips to 80 yards rushing on 25 carries in the victory.
Offensively,
Brett Gabbert was 13-of-23 passing for 184 yards and one touchdown.
Mac Hippenhammer recorded four catches for 84 yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Miami used complimentary football to set up its first touchdown. After Dom Dzioban pinned Akron deep, Brian Ugwu recorded a third-down sack, forcing the Zips to punt from their own endzone. Gabbert capped a seven-play 39-yard drive, connecting with Nate Muersch on an 11-yard touchdown with 3:21 left in the first quarter.
- On the ensuing drive, Akron answered with a 25-yard field goal.
- Keyon Mozee's three-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep made it 14-3 with 4:26 left in the first half. Graham Nicholson added a 33-yard field goal to make it 17-3 with 1:11 to go.
- After neither team scored in the third, Nicholson added a 35-yard field goal 56 seconds into the fourth quarter to extend Miami's lead, 20-3.
- Jacquez Warren's 62-yard pick-six made it 27-3 with 10:15 to play. It was Warren's first touchdown of his career.
GAME NOTES:
- Ben Jackson made his first career start at right guard.
- Brian Ugwu recorded a career-best two sacks.
- Facing a high-profile passing attack, Miami's secondary recorded seven pass breakups in the win.
- Dom Dzioban averaged 48.1 yards per punt, with three punts over 50 yards.
- Saturday was Chuck Martin's 100th game as head coach of the RedHawks, the most all-time in program history, passing Randy Walker's 99.
UP NEXT:
Miami hosts Ohio on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Game time will be 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m.
