RedHawks Make it Six-Straight With 34-21 Win Over Broncos

Saturday, October 14

Kalamazoo, Mich.

3:30 p.m.

Miami University

6-1 , 3-0

Western Michigan

2-5 , 1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Miami (OH)

Western Michigan

RedHawks Make it Six-Straight With 34-21 Win Over Broncos

10/14/2023 7:02:00 PM | Football

Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Brett Gabbert threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and added a career-best two rushing scores as the Miami University football team captured its sixth-straight win, downing Western Michigan 34-21 on Saturday. The RedHawks (6-1, 3-0 MAC) are off to their best start since 2003, while the Broncos fall to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

In honor of Miami Football's best start in 20 years, Miami Athletics is holding a 48-hour flash sale, featuring tickets at $20 or less for the Saturday, Oct. 21 Homecoming contest versus Toledo at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased HERE by using the promo code: TAKEITBACKTO2003. Act quick! This offer ends Monday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.

How it Happened:

A failed fake punt attempt to begin the game set up Miami's offense at the Broncos' 46-yard line. Six plays later, Gabbert connected on a nine-yard touchdown to Gage Larvadain to spot the Red and White an early 7-0 advantage.
On the ensuing drive, WMU drove inside the Miami red zone, but a third-down tackle from Matt Salopek forced the Broncos to settle for a 30-yard field goal with under four minutes left in the first quarter.
Following the WMU score, Kevin Davis gave Miami outstanding field position, returning the kick to the Miami 46. Gabbert and Cade McDonald connected on a 42-yard reception and three plays later Gabbert hit Larvadain for a 5-yard score for a 14-3 lead late in the opening quarter.
A Gabbert interception spotted the Broncos inside Miami's 30. On a fourth-and-1, WMU rushed for a 19-yard touchdown. Miami led 14-10 with 11:39 remaining in the half.
Gabbert's four-yard touchdown run with 1:27 left in the first half extended Miami's lead to 21-10.
After Miami punted to begin the third quarter, WMU used 6:55 of game clock on a 15-play, 56-yard drive that ended with a 49-yard field goal. Miami led 21-13 with 4:50 left in the third quarter.
Miami answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown run by Gabbert. The 5:03 drive put Miami up 28-13 early in the fourth.
Less than four minutes later, a five-yard WMU touchdown run (including a two-point conversion) made it 28-21.
Graham Nicholson made it a two-score game, connecting on a 39-yard field goal with six minutes left in the contest. Moments later, Brian Ugwu recorded his second sack of the game, forcing a turnover on downs. Nicholson extended the Miami advantage to 34-21 with a 40-yard field goal with 4:54 to go.

Game Notes:

With the win, Miami is bowl eligible for the seventh time in the past eight years.
With 223 passing yards on Saturday, Gabbert moved past 7,500 passing yards in his career and ranks third in program history.
Gabbert (8,179) became the third player in Miami history to surpass 8,000 total yards, behind just Zac Dysert (12,678) and Ben Roethlisberger (11,075).
Western Michigan's touchdown in the second quarter was the first touchdown Miami allowed in the last 165:46.
Cade McDonald had a career-high six receptions for 78 yards and had a career-long 42 yard catch as well.
Graham Nicholson connected on both of his field goal attempts and is now a perfect 13-of-13 on the season.
Larvadain returned after missing the past two weeks, finishing the game with five catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns.
Matt Salopek had a game-high 15 tackles and has 69 stops on the season.
Brian Ugwu and Caiden Woullard each had two sacks for the Miami defense.