Miami University
7-5 , 6-2
Ball State
4-8 , 3-5
Miami Rolls Past BSU 45-24 to Earn Third-Straight Trip to Detroit
11/29/2025 3:45:00 PM | Football
OXFORD, Ohio— The Miami University football team earned its third consecutive trip to the MAC Championship Game with a 45-24 win versus Ball State Saturday afternoon. Thomas Gotkowski threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns for the RedHawks (7-5, 6-2 MAC), who have finished the season with back-to-back wins. The Cardinals fall to 4-8, 3-5 MAC.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After forcing a three-and-out on Ball State's first offensive possession, the RedHawks capitalized by going on a seven-play, 52-yard drive that resulted in Miami taking a 7-0 advantage. Jordan Brunson accounted for 20 yards on the ground, and Gotkowski finished the drive by connecting with Braylon Isom on a 23-yard pass for a touchdown.
- The Cardinals responded with a 56-yard rush up the middle that set them up in scoring position. Ball State went on to capitalize by punching the ball in from the Miami two-yard line and evening the score at 7-7.
- The Red and White wasted no time getting back on the scoreboard, as Gotkowski found a wide-open Keith Reynolds streaking down the right sideline for 44 yards. Gotkowski went on to find Isom in the right corner of the end zone for his second touchdown of the afternoon to help the RedHawks regain the lead at 14-7.
- The Red and White regained possession of the football with 2:21 remaining in the first quarter, eventually using a run up the middle from Gotkowski and a reverse sweep from Reynolds to reach the Ball State 18-yard line. Brunson finished the drive off with a pair of runs, including a 12-yard rush for a touchdown to extend Miami's lead to 21-10.
- With 10:17 remaining in the second quarter and the first play of that offensive possession for the RedHawks, Gotkowski threw a 55-yard strike down the left sideline for a touchdown to Kam Perry to make it a three-possession game at 28-10.
- Miami closed the second quarter out with an 11-play, 44-yard drive that led to a 33-yard field goal from Dom Dzioban, sending the Red and White into halftime ahead of the Cardinals 31-10.
- Miami scored the only points of the third quarter, as D'Shawntae Jones smashed his way in for a one-yard run touchdown to stretch the score to 38-10. A 33-yard catch from Cole Weaver highlighted the eight-play, 60-yard drive that lasted just over five minutes.
- Ball State responded with its second touchdown drive of the game, which included 13 plays and cut five minutes off the game clock to trail 38-17 with 7:44 to play in the fourth quarter.
- With two minutes of action left, Jayden Fuller forced a sack fumble that was recovered by Jermaine Agee for the RedHawks' final touchdown of the day, increasing the scoring gap to 45-17. The Cardinals scored the final points of the day with a 75-yard touchdown drive to cut their deficit to 45-24 with 1:16 to go.
NOTES
- Miami is the first team to play in three-straight MAC Championships since NIU did so from 2010-15.
- Quarterback Gotkowski made his first career start and posted career highs in yards (226) and touchdowns (three).
- Isom set a career-best today with two receiving touchdowns.
- The RedHawk defense combined for seven total sacks.
- In Miami's previous four games, the RedHawks scored two offensive touchdowns in the first half. Miami recorded three touchdowns in the first quarter versus Ball State.
UP NEXT:
Miami will play Western Michigan for the MAC Championship at noon on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Ford Field in Detroit.
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Team Stats
BSU 0, MIA 7
MIA - Isom,Braylon 23 yd pass from Gotkowski,Thomas (Dzioban,Dom kick) 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 02:58
BSU 7, MIA 7
BSU - Bonds,Jalen 2 yd run (Pippin,DC kick), 3 plays, 65 yards, TOP 00:55
BSU 7, MIA 14
MIA - Isom,Braylon 10 yd pass from Gotkowski,Thomas (Dzioban,Dom kick) 5 plays, 69 yards, TOP 01:39
BSU 10, MIA 14
BSU - Pippin,DC 43 yd field goal 7 plays, 53 yards, TOP 03:49
BSU 10, MIA 21
MIA - Brunson,Jordan 12 yd run (Dzioban,Dom kick), 4 plays, 63 yards, TOP 02:00
BSU 10, MIA 28
MIA - Perry,Kam 55 yd pass from Gotkowski,Thomas (Dzioban,Dom kick) 1 plays, 55 yards, TOP 00:08
BSU 10, MIA 31
MIA - Dzioban,Dom 33 yd field goal 11 plays, 41 yards, TOP 03:20
BSU 10, MIA 38
MIA - Jones,D'Shawntae 1 yd run (Dzioban,Dom kick), 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 05:05
BSU 17, MIA 38
BSU - Ashley,Qua 2 yd pass from Kelly,Kiael (Pippin,DC kick) 13 plays, 74 yards, TOP 05:13
BSU 17, MIA 45
MIA - Agee,Jermaine 0 yd fumble recovery (McLaughlin,Kellan kick)
BSU 24, MIA 45
BSU - Weatherly,Eric 35 yd pass from Kelly,Kiael (Pippin,DC kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:55
