App State Edges Miami 13-9 in Cure Bowl

Saturday, December 16

Orlando, Fla.

3:30 p.m.

Miami University

11-3 , 8-1

App State (Cure Bowl)

9-5 , 6-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Miami (OH)

App State

12/16/2023 6:55:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

ORLANDO, Fla.– The Miami University football team finished its 2023 season with a 13-9 loss to App State Saturday afternoon in the Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl.

In a game that was played in a driving rainstorm and featured a combined 13 fumbles, the Mountaineers held on to improve to 9-5 (6-2 Sun Belt). Rashad Amos had a career-high 180 rushing yards and a touchdown for the RedHawks (11-3, 7-1 MAC) and ended the season with 1,075 yards on the ground.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The RedHawks got off to a perfect start as Yahsyn McKee intercepted an App State pass on the opening snap of the game. Miami converted the turnover into points, driving 24 yards in five plays to set up a 34-yard field goal from Graham Nicholson.
The Mountaineers responded with a field goal of their own on the next possession, using a 52-yard pass to get into the red zone before settling for a 29-yard kick to make it 3-3 with 9:31 left in the first quarter.
After a punt from Alec Bevelhimer pinned App State at its own seven-yard line, the Mountaineers put together an 13-play, 88-yard drive to take their first lead of the game on a 22-yard field goal by Michael Hughes.
Miami stopped App State on a pair of red-zone fourth downs in the second quarter, including a Matt Salopek tackle on 4th-and-1 in the final minute of the half, to head to the locker room trailing 6-3.
A strong drive by the RedHawks' offense to open the third quarter stalled out at the App State 27-yard line, and the Mountaineers took advantage. App State marched 73 yards in 11 plays, with Joey Aguilar rushing for a nine-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper to stretch the margin to 13-3 at the 4:46 mark of the third quarter.
Miami capitalized on an App State turnover later in the third period, as Salopek recovered a Mountaineer fumble at the ASU 23-yard line. Amos raced untouched into the end zone on the very next play, cutting the deficit to 13-9 with 2:05 left in the quarter. The extra point attempt after Amos' 23-yard scoring run was unsuccessful.
Neither team was able to score in the fourth quarter, and although the RedHawks moved the ball from their own nine-yard line into App State territory on their final offensive possession, the drive ended with a turnover and the Mountaineers were able to run out the clock.

NOTES

Henry Hesson made his first career start at quarterback and was 5-of-8 passing.
Maddox Kopp saw action under center in the second quarter, making his Miami debut.
Gage Larvadain led the RedHawks with four receptions for 36 yards.
Nicholson set the program record for field goals made in a season (27), moving past Sam Sloman.
Amos posted the first 1,000-yard rushing season for a RedHawk since Brandon Murphy in 2005.
Amos had 33 rush attempts, breaking Rob Carpenter's Miami bowl record of 30 (set vs. Georgia in 1974).
Amos also set the Miami bowl record for rushing yards, topping Chuck Varner's 157 vs. Florida in 1973.
Ty Wise led the Red and White with 12 tackles and a forced fumble, while Salopek added 10 stops.
McKee's interception was his team-leading fourth of the season.
Miami is now 8-7 all-time in bowl games.