Miami Shows They Are A Still A MAC East Contender, Beating CMU 31-14

The Miami RedHawks lost a couple of non-conference games this season in unsettling ways. In both the Marshall and Cincinnati games, Miami had a lot of coulda, shoulda wouldas. If there is one thing that coach Chuck Martin has proven over the last couple of seasons, he can keep his team focused after bad things happen.

Miami jumped out to an early lead with a 75 yard scoring drive that took over 5 minutes off the clock. Gus Ragland ran it in from 6 out. After a couple of stops by the Miami defense and once by CMU, Miami capped another long drive with a 3 yard Ragland to Quentin Hardy pass.

CMU answered with a long drive of their own, capped by a Shane Morris TD run. Miami responded almost immediately with a 3 play drive, with Ragland connecting on a 50 yard TD strike to Sam Martin.

Miami missed a field goal on the ensuing drive, and then both teams combined for 4 straight three and outs. Exciting football, I tell ya. CMU went 80 yards before Shane Morris was picked off by Matt Merimee, who then returned it 47 yards. Miami was able to kick a field goal and end scoring.

Statistically it was a fairly even game. The Chippewas turnovers were the key to the game. TOP was almost dead even, with CMU holding a 1 second edge. Miami won the yardage battle 394 to 345. The RedHawks did hold a 177-117, which was another key factor.

Gus Ragland was 11/19 with 217 yards and 2 touchdowns. Shane Morris was 15/33 with 195 yards and 2 picks.

Miami running back Kenny Young led all rushers with 91 yards. He only needed 14 carries and scored a touchdown. Eric Cooper had 81 yards on 6 catches for the Chippewas, while Sam Morris caught 2 passes for 71 yards for the RedHawks.

Joe Ostman, the standout DE for the Chips had 8 tackles and 2 sacks.

Miami takes on Notre Dame in another huge non-conference match-up next, while CMU has a big non-conference game themselves, taking on Boston College.