The Miami RedHawks looked the part, properly gearing up for its second-straight postseason in Tucson.
Last December, Miami (OH) seized its opportunity in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl — the first edition
of the bowl sponsored by the famous rapper formally known as Calvin Broadus Jr. Head coach Chuck Martin celebrated on stage with Snoop Dogg, and the rapper bestowed a custom chain upon MVP Kevin Davis.
Snoop Dogg’s favorite team was back in the bowl, and the RedHawks accordingly unveiled themed helmets as a nod to the rapper, with the Miami “M” logo depicted as a chain on the helmet decal. However, once the game started, Miami did not drop it like it’s hot. Instead, the RedHawks fell cold, falling 18-3 to Fresno State without recording a single touchdown.
The opening kickoff featured pure electricity as Snoop — mid-interview — actually caught the ball booted off the tie by Miami kickoff specialist Kellan McLaughlin. But after that viral moment, the game turned into a low-scoring defensive slugfest deprived of highlights. Miami struck first with a 33-yard field goal by First Team All-MAC kicker Dom Dzioban, but that kick stood as the RedHawks’ final snap from the red zone. Miami never possessed the ball inside the 20 for the final 54 minutes and 9 seconds of action.
The RedHawks’ defense held firm and only allowed one touchdown — a 2-yard touchdown pass with 11:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. Due to a bend-don’t-break mentality, Fresno State only notched field goals for the majority of the contest. Denis Lynch sunk three short kicks in the second quarter, hitting from 28, 23, and 25 yards out to provide the Bulldogs a 9-3 halftime advantage. He had an opportunity to make it a multi-score game in the third quarter, but his 28-yard kick sailed outside the uprights, keeping Miami within striking distance through the transition into the final frame.
Miami redshirt freshman quarterback Thomas Gotkowski — making his third collegiate start — finished 6-of-22 with 72 yards and an interception in the offensive struggle. It was the RedHawks’ third game without a touchdown in 2025, and the run game didn’t add enough firepower to reach the end zone. Miami’s most promising possession of the final three quarters traveled as far as the Fresno State 22-yard line, but a fumble forced Jadon Pearson and recovered by Jakari Embry reversed the RedHawks’ fortune.
Miami collected 192 yards of offense, severely disadvantaged when compared to Fresno State’s 391. The Bulldogs’ ability to sustain long drives allowed them to consume 38 minutes and 40 seconds in the time of possession category, and they crafted three 10+ play scoring drives in the victory. Quarterback E.J. Warner won MVP honors of the Arizona Bowl for his 16-of-23, 214-yard, 1-touchdown performance in his sendoff game.
Fresno State (9-4, 5-3 Mountain West) concludes year one of the Matt Entz era with a defensively dominant bowl victory. The Bulldogs now own four bowl wins in the last five seasons, and overall, they’ve won six of their last seven bowl matchups dating back to 2017. Saturday marked the final time Fresno State repped a Mountain West patch on its chest, and the Bulldogs now sail off into the sunset as they prepare a transition to the rebuilt Pac-12.
Miami (7-7, 6-2 MAC) finishes .500 after dropping the MAC Championship Game and Arizona Bowl. Still, the RedHawks remain in a prosperous era, finishing .500 or better in seven of the last eight seasons with three-straight MAC title game appearances. Miami was unable to repeat as Arizona Bowl champions and the team eyes new hardware in 2026, hoping to keep its winning tradition alive.
