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.

 
Up Next:
Miami hosts Toledo on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. The Homecoming game will air live on ESPNU.