TOLEDO, Ohio– The Miami University football team dropped its Mid-American Conference opener 30-20 at Toledo Saturday afternoon.
Javon Tracy caught 10 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown for the RedHawks (1-4, 0-1 MAC), while
Corban Hondru recorded two interceptions and a career-high 11 tackles for the Miami defense. Tucker Gleason threw for 318 yards for the Rockets, who move to 4-1 (1-0 MAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Toledo scored on its opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, as Gleason recovered a fourth-down fumble and plunged into the end zone midway through the first period.
- After the Rockets extended the margin to 14-0, capitalizing on a blocked punt with a three-play scoring drive, the RedHawks got on the board. Miami moved into Rocket territory on back-to-back completions from Brett Gabbert to Andre Johnson and Cade McDonald, and Dom Dzioban finished off an 11-play, 68-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal.
- The Rockets responded with a 10-play, 67-yard drive of their own, moving the ball into the red zone, but Hondru made an interception at the RedHawks' three-yard line to end the UT threat.
- Toledo went ahead 17-3 on a second-quarter field goal, and the RedHawks came right back with a field goal of their own. A 51-yard pass to Reggie Virgil set up a 35-yard kick from Dzioban with 2:38 left in the half.
- Hondru picked off another pass to thwart the Rockets' next possession, but the home team eventually tacked on a 48-yard field goal before halftime and a 47-yard field goal to begin the third quarter.
- After an Adam Trick sack near the UT goal line, Miami took advantage of good field position on the ensuing punt to claim their first touchdown of the day. A 22-yard strike to Tracy set up a nine-yard scoring pass to Kevin Davis with 24 seconds left in the third quarter.
- The deficit grew to 30-13 early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard Toledo touchdown pass, but Miami wouldn't go away. The RedHawks drove 75 yards in 15 plays and reached the end zone on a three-yard pass from Gabbert to Tracy with 5:46 remaining. The visitors would get one more possession, but were unable to put any additional points on the board.
NOTES
- Hondru's interceptions were Miami's first of the season; the redshirt junior linebacker matched his previous career total with two picks in the game.
- Gabbert threw for 296 yards and two scores.
- Miami was a season-best 10-of-18 converting third downs.
- Oscar McWood matched his career high with nine tackles.
- Mychal Yharbrough made a career-high seven tackles.
- Connor Briggs and Preston Daniel made their first career starts as RedHawks.
- The RedHawks and Rockets played for the third time in less than 12 months after not having faced each other for the previous 12 years.
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks travel to Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 12. Kickoff in Ypsilanti, Mich. is set for 2 p.m.