Saturday afternoon in Oxford, OH set up a matchup between the MAC’s best.
Miami (OH) and Western Michigan saw similar season trajectories, both overcoming 0-3 starts with four-game win streaks, entering
a critical showdown sporting identical 3-0 MAC records. Only one would remain perfect though, and as recent history would suggest, that team would be the Miami RedHawks.
Miami (5-3, 4-0 MAC) outlasted Western Michigan (4-4, 3-1 MAC) 26-17 at Yager Stadium, collecting its 20th MAC regular season win in its last 22 outings.
Doing the trick was Adam Trick, who forced a critical fumble in a 23-17 ballgame with 2:54 remaining. Miami’s leader in sacks flew around the left tackle and tomahawk chopped the quarterback’s arm to jar the ball loose. Defensive tackle Roosevelt Andrews III pounced on the loose ball, denying Western Michigan of a go-ahead score and providing Miami the punishing blow. Four snaps later, the reliable Dom Dzioban sunk a 51-yard field goal to create a two-score lead.
Fourth quarter execution was the story of the game as Miami commandingly won the final frame 17-0. The RedHawks trailed 17-9 at the end of the third, but quarterback Dequan Finn led two long touchdown drives to provide his team the advantage. Finn hit deep threat Kam Perry on a 36-yard sideline shot to position the RedHawks in scoring position. Then on an RPO, tight end Brian Shane broke loose in the end zone, receiving a 3-yard touchdown strike from Finn. Miami missed the two-point try, however, keeping Western Michigan with a slight 17-15 cushion.
After the defense forced a punt, Finn went right back to work with a 6-play, 88-yard go-ahead drive. Upon reaching the red zone, the seventh-year senior quarterback faked a handoff and sprinted toward the front left pylon on a well-designed zone read. Finn’s 31st career rushing touchdown was followed by a Perry 2-point conversion, handing the RedHawks a lead which would not be relinquished.
Finn set a new season-high with 260 passing yards, delivering his fourth-straight 50+ yard rushing performance on the side. Stellar offensive performances were seen across the board as running back Jordan Brunson attained 90 yards on a 6.9 average, Perry collected 68 yards on four receptions (along with the aforementioned two-point conversion), while sophomore wide receiver Cole Weaver set new career-bests with nine receptions and 96 yards.
Defensively, Corban Hondru, Eli Blakey, and Jackson Kuwatch all stuffed the stat-sheet with 14, 11, and 11 tackles, respectively. The RedHawks did not allow a single Western Michigan second half touchdown, upending the previously-undefeated MAC team 17-3 after halftime.
The peak of Western Michigan’s offensive success transpired in a 14-point second quarter. Quarterback Broc Lowry connected on back-to-back 40+ yard pickups, hitting Aveion Chenault on a 45-yard strike and Tailique Williams on a 43-yard touchdown to claim a 7-6 lead. Those two passes were Western Michigan’s lone completions exceeding 16 yards as Miami amplified its aerial defense afterward. Later in the second quarter, the Broncos established a 14-9 lead courtesy of a 72-yard Devin Miles kick return. Tight end Michael Brescia provided the finishing efforts on the 21-yard drive, punching in a 2-yard rushing score out of the wildcat.
Western Michigan dropped its first MAC game of 2025 but the Broncos remain alive in the race after falling in Oxford. The four-game win streak is no more, but they look to spark a new streak next Saturday when arch rival Central Michigan strolls into towns.
Miami remains perfect in MAC play after its fifth-consecutive victory. The RedHawks are alone at the top of the conference standings in prime position for their third-straight MAC Championship Game appearance. But there is more work to be done by head coach Chuck Martin and Co. Miami shifts toward the midweek slate with a 2024 MAC Championship rematch against rival Ohio awaiting on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
