Miami University
6-5 , 5-2
Buffalo
5-6 , 4-3
RedHawks Become Bowl-Eligible With 37-20 Win at Buffalo
11/19/2025 10:39:00 PM | Football
BUFFALO, N.Y.—Thomas Gotkowski came off the bench to throw for 185 yards to lift the Miami University football team to a crucial 37-20 road win at Buffalo Wednesday night. Gotkowski threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the RedHawks became bowl-eligible for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons and kept their MAC title hopes alive heading into the final week of the regular season.
You always want your opportunity in life, and I always tell them, 'No matter what the case is, just be excited about your opportunity, because sometimes you don't get them,' said head coach Chuck Martin. [Gotkowski] got an opportunity tonight and obviously not only took advantage of it but he helped us win a huge, huge football game.
He's prepared every day to be the starter, even when he was third and didn't get any practice reps…he's prepared all year and I'm very proud of him.
It felt amazing coming out and being able to kind of prove what I've done in practice, Gotkowski said later. I've been behind a couple guys and kind of working my way, but I've been taking mental reps. Being able to come out here and execute our game plan…felt amazing. It felt good to get into a little rhythm.
Jordan Brunson added 123 yards on the ground and D'Shawntae Jones contributed two rushing touchdowns for the RedHawks (6-5, 5-2 MAC), who scored the final 20 points of the contest. The Bulls fall to 5-6, 4-3 MAC on the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Buffalo moved into Miami territory midway through the first quarter, but an Adrian Walker Jr. interception ended the threat. The home team took a 3-0 lead in the final minute of the period after an apparent touchdown catch was reversed on review. Gotkowski led his first career scoring drive on the RedHawks' next possession, finding Kam Perry on a 30-yard pass to cross midfield and then connecting with Perry on a 32-yard play-action strike for a touchdown four plays later. The speedster got behind a pair of UB defensive backs to give Miami a 7-3 lead.
- The RedHawks made it 14-3 with 3:31 left in the half as Gotkowski hit on four consecutive completions to move the ball to the Buffalo six-yard line and then scrambled for a three-yard touchdown on third down to extend the visitors' lead.
- Silas Walters intercepted a pass on the Bulls' next snap to set Miami up in scoring position at the UB 22-yard line. The RedHawks went on to add a 42-yard field goal by Dom Dzioban to go ahead 17-3. The Bulls answered with a touchdown drive to pull within a possession at halftime, 17-10.
- Buffalo re-took the lead in the third quarter, starting the period with a six-play, 75-yard drive to make it 17-all and then tacking on a 48-yard kick on the next possession. Miami responded with a quick three-play drive to go back on top at 24-20. A 60-yard carry for Brunson set up Jones' seven-yard scoring run with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
- Five minutes later, the RedHawks struck again, taking over at the Buffalo 27 after a massive 42-yard punt return by Lynel Billups-Williams. Cole Weaver then skied for a one-handed catch at the Bulls' one-yard line, with Jones plunging in for a touchdown on the next play to give the Red and White a 31-20 cushion.
- Miami methodically stretched its lead through the final quarter, as Dzioban drilled a 37-yard field goal with 8:09 to play and then converted from 49 at the 3:48 mark to give the RedHawks a three-score advantage.
BRUISING BACKS: Brunson went over 100 yards on the ground for the second time this season and the third time in his career, including a season-long 60-yard run. Jones produced the first multi-touchdown game of his career, including his longest scoring run (seven yards) as a RedHawk. Martin was pleased with how both backs broke tackles at the line of scrimmage on the pair of pivotal plays. Both of those runs could have been no gain…both very physical runs, Martin said in his postgame press conference.
I just want to say thank you to the O-line for a couple big run plays tonight, Gotkowski added when asked about Brunson's run that swung momentum after Buffalo had briefly re-taken the lead. It was amazing being able to break those off.
PICKS, PLURAL: Wednesday's game was the fourth time this season (and the second week in a row) that Miami has recorded multiple interceptions. Walters' pick was his third of the season, while Walker grabbed his first career interception.
THIRTY-SOMETHING: Miami hit on three passes of 30 or more yards in the first half alone, marking the first time in conference play the RedHawks had done that.
MARTIN'S MISHAP: A second-quarter tackle left its mark on Martin, who was run over by Buffalo's Solomon Brown in a sideline collision and went down for a few moments before getting helped to his feet and resuming his play-calling duties. I have never taken a hit like that in my life…and I haven't taken a hit like that on the sidelines ever, Martin said afterward. When I played, I was way too smart to ever get involved in anything like that. I got smoked pretty good. It was not good; it didn't feel good.
That's why I was a pathetic Division III free safety, the former Millikin safety/placekicker continued. I played really deep and stayed away from contact.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS: Lynel Billups-Williams' 42-yard punt return was the RedHawks' longest since Oct. 28, 2023 (Cade McDonald vs. Ohio, 43).
17 AGAIN: After Miami scored 17 consecutive points in the second quarter to take a 17-3 lead and the Bulls answered back with 17 straight points of their own, the RedHawks then rattled off 17 more points to regain a two-possession lead before closing the scoring with a late Dzioban field goal to make it 20 in a row.
DOMINATING DEFENSE: Nine different RedHawks recorded at least one tackle for loss… Seven Miami players registered at least half a sack…Mychal Yharbrough made a career-high eight tackles...The RedHawks held the Bulls to 44 yards on 22 fourth-quarter plays (2.0 yards per snap).
POSTSEASON PLANNING: We always want to be bowl eligible. We're excited, Martin said about his team reaching the six-win mark. I'm glad we got to bowl-eligible and I'm glad we're still tied and right in the hunt for the conference. We've got a huge game next week and hopefully things break our way and we've still got a chance to play for a conference championship.
Interested in more information about a potential Miami Football bowl game? Click here to fill out the bowl interest form today.
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks close the regular season at home against Ball State on Saturday, Nov. 29. Kickoff is set for noon at Yager Stadium.
Team Stats
MIA 0, BUF 3
BUF - Howes,Jack 33 yd field goal 13 plays, 77 yards, TOP 06:49
MIA 7, BUF 3
MIA - Perry,Kam 32 yd pass from Gotkowski,Thomas (Dzioban,Dom kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:14
MIA 14, BUF 3
MIA - Gotkowski,Thomas 3 yd run (Dzioban,Dom kick), 7 plays, 62 yards, TOP 03:14
MIA 17, BUF 3
MIA - Dzioban,Dom 42 yd field goal 4 plays, -3 yards, TOP 01:20
MIA 17, BUF 10
BUF - Snow,Victor 9 yd pass from Roberson,Ta'Quan (Howes,Jack kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:38
MIA 17, BUF 17
BUF - Gathings,Jasaiah 10 yd pass from Roberson,Ta'Quan (Howes,Jack kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:29
MIA 17, BUF 20
BUF - Howes,Jack 47 yd field goal 8 plays, 30 yards, TOP 03:34
MIA 24, BUF 20
MIA - Jones,D'Shawntae 7 yd run (Dzioban,Dom kick), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:18
MIA 31, BUF 20
MIA - Jones,D'Shawntae 1 yd run (Dzioban,Dom kick), 2 plays, 27 yards, TOP 00:37
MIA 34, BUF 20
MIA - Dzioban,Dom 37 yd field goal 7 plays, 25 yards, TOP 03:30
MIA 37, BUF 20
MIA - Dzioban,Dom 49 yd field goal 6 plays, 11 yards, TOP 01:52
