RedHawks Beat RMU 31-14 in Home Opener

Saturday, September 10

Oxford, Ohio

6 p.m.

Miami University

1-1 , 0-0

Robert Morris

0-2 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Robert Morris

Miami (OH)

9/10/2022 9:07:00 PM | Football

Box Score Aveon Smith and John Saunders Press Conference Photo Gallery

OXFORD, Ohio— Aveon Smith threw three touchdown passes in his first career start and the Miami University football team won its home opener 31-14 over Robert Morris Saturday night.

Mac Hippenhammer caught two touchdown passes for the RedHawks (1-1), who scored 28 consecutive points after an early touchdown by Robert Morris (0-2). Miami recorded its 15th straight victory at Yager Stadium, extending the second-longest home win streak in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Miami scored on its opening drive, sparked by a Kevin Davis 31-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. After a key third-down conversion on a pass to Davis, the RedHawks entered field goal range. Graham Nicholson's 45-yard kick made it 3-0.
Robert Morris answered back on its first possession, starting with a 79-yard pass on the second play of the drive. Anthony Purge later found the end zone from two yards out to give RMU a 7-3 lead.
The RedHawks re-took the lead with 3:42 to play in the first quarter. Smith led Miami on an 11-play, 71-yard drive, including picking up a 4th-and-2 with a six-yard pass to Jalen Walker. Smith capped the drive with a scoring toss to Luke Bolden from 17 yards out to put Miami on top 10-7.
Miami stretched its advantage to 17-7 in the second quarter. After a career-long 67-yard punt from Dom Dzioban flipped the field position, a John Saunders Jr. interception gave Miami the ball at the Colonials' 22-yard line. Smith connected with Hippenhammer for a touchdown pass on the next play.
A Ryan McWood interception later in the period set up the RedHawks at the RMU 43-yard line. Seven plays later, Keyon Mozee bulled his way into the end zone from a yard out to help the Red and White to a 24-7 halftime lead.
After neither team scored in the third quarter, the RedHawks put together a 67-yard scoring drive to go up 31-7. Smith made plays on the ground and through the air both, scampering for 26 yards to pick up a 3rd-and-5 and eventually finishing off the drive with an 18-yard scoring strike to Hippenhammer.
Robert Morris closed the scoring on an eight-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining in the game.

NOTES:

Smith finished 14-22 through the air for 155 yards and became the first Miami quarterback to throw at least three touchdowns in his first career start since Andrew Hendrix in 2014.
Bolden's touchdown was his first career score and first career catch after playing the previous three seasons at linebacker for Miami.
Ty Wise and Camden Rogers were credited with sacks for the RedHawks; Rogers' sack was the first of his Miami career.
Miami out-rushed the visitors 216 yards to 40.
McWood recorded his second career interception.
Hippenhammer matched his career high with two touchdown catches.
Smith, Ja'Von Kimpson, Will Jados, and Michael Dowell made their first career starts for the RedHawks.
Henry Hesson made his first career appearance at quarterback in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT:
Miami hosts Cincinnati next Saturday, Sept. 17 at Paycor Stadium (formerly Paul Brown Stadium) in downtown Cincinnati. Kickoff is set for noon.