When a ticket to Detroit for a the MAC Championship appearance is on the line, the Miami RedHawks often prevail. Miami (OH), which is gunning for its third-straight MAC title game appearance under head coach Chuck Martin, kept those hopes alive Wednesday night on the road.
Miami (6-5, 5-2 MAC) utilized a 20-0 second half run to push past Buffalo (5-6, 4-3 MAC), 37-20, clinching bowl eligibility for the eighth-straight season in the process. The RedHawks snapped a 2-game skid and improved to 21-4 in their
last 25 regular season conference matchups dating back to November 2022.
In order to break the dry spell, the RedHawks needed a resurgent offense, devoid of quarterback Dequan Finn — who is no longer on the roster. Miami scored just three points vs. Toledo last week without Finn, but its offense took on a new form in Upstate New York to generate its second-highest scoring output in MAC play. After two-straight three-and-outs to open the night, Miami flipped quarterbacks, swapping out fifth-year senior Henry Hesson for redshirt freshman Thomas Gotkowski, and that change paid dividends.
The former high school state champion quarterback provided an early spark, guiding a 75-yard touchdown drive on his second series, hitting deep threat Kam Perry in the end zone for a 32-yard score. Gotkowski retained the QB1 duties for the remainder of the contest, firing for 185 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 26 and another score in the victory.
Gotkowski also received a much-needed boost from the run game as the bruising tailback Jordan Brunson chugged along for 123 yards, ripping off a 60-yard scamper in the third quarter to set up a go-ahead scoring drive. Cole Weaver and Kam Perry also assisted the offensive effort, tallying 82 and 76 yards, respectively on nine combined receptions.
Miami’s defense also pulled its weight, especially in the first and fourth quarters. The RedHawks sacked Buffalo quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson on six occasions, with seven different defenders attaining a share of a sack. Miami also won the turnover battle 3-0, as Buffalo’s turnover struggles persisted. The Bulls committed five turnovers a week ago, five turnovers in their last matchup in October, and three Wednesday night. At the conclusion of Wednesday, Buffalo has 21 giveaways on the year which ties for third-most in the FBS.
The RedHawks only managed three points off these miscues, however. Free safety Silas Walters intercepted Roberson in the second quarter, setting up one of Dom Dzioban’s three made field goals on an excellent kicking night. But when Buffalo wasn’t turning it over, the offense moved quite well. Roberson fired for 303 yards and two touchdowns as his receivers made spectacular catch after spectacular catch. Nik McMillan extended his streak to five-straight 100-yard games with a 147-yard explosion on eight receptions, while Victor Snow added nine catches for 111 yards highlighted by an impressive contested snag in the end zone.
Buffalo trailed Miami 17-3 late in the second quarter, but Snow’s touchdown trimmed the deficit to one-score with 13 seconds remaining in the half. The Bulls then knotted the game at 17 apiece on their opening third quarter drive with Jasaiah Gathings as the touchdown recipient. Buffalo’s defense fed off that energy, stuffing the RedHawks on fourth down to set up a Jack Howes field goal — completing a 17-0 Bulls run to establish a 20-17 advantage.
Miami responded with its own 20-0 run to finish with Brunson’s 60-yard run and Lynel Billups-Williams’ 42-yard punt return setting up short rushing touchdowns by D’Shawntae Jones. That closing stretch allowed the RedHawks to register their first win in Buffalo since 2016, snapping a 3-game losing streak at UB Stadium.
Buffalo is no longer eligible to compete in the MAC Championship Game, and the Bulls’ title drought extends to 17 years, having last triumphed in 2008. But the stakes remain high for Pete Lembo and the Bulls. In order to qualify for consecutive bowls for the first time since the 2017-20 stretch, Buffalo must defeat Ohio on Black Friday, which will be senior day at UB Stadium.
Miami is eligible to compete in the MAC Championship Game, but the RedHawks don’t necessarily control their own destiny. They receive their best shot if they defeat Ball State in the Redbird Rivalry on Saturday, Nov. 29, as a third-consecutive December trip to Ford Field remains in the cards for Martin and the RedHawks.
