In 2023, the Miami RedHawks failed to score a touchdown in the opener at Miami (FL), falling in 38-3 fashion. The same trend translated to 2024, as Miami (OH) never invaded the end zone against Northwestern, which handed the RedHawks a 13-6 loss.
Miami shook off both disappointments, ultimately winning the MAC Championship Game in 2023 and reappearing on the title game stage in 2024. That’s the familiar territory the RedHawks hope to ultimately reach under 12th-year head coach Chuck Martin. But Miami found
itself in the other familiar waters of offensive futility at Wisconsin, failing to register a touchdown in a third-straight opener. But this time was worse than the lasts as the RedHawks suffered a 17-0 shutout — the program’s first time without notching a point since Sept. 8, 2018 vs. Cincinnati.
Miami chalked up just 117 yards of offense, burdened by two interceptions, four three-and-outs, and an 0-of-9 showing on third down. The team only racked up seven first downs the entire night. No rusher attained more than 15 yards, while starting quarterback Dequan Finn — a former MAC MVP at Toledo in 2023 — debuted in RedHawk colors with 83 passing yards on a 9-of-18 showing.
Yet, despite all of the offensive futility, Miami found a way to hang within one score until the late third quarter. Wisconsin’s offense also suffered similar lapses in the early going, punting on three of four first half possessions. The Badgers ate loads of clock, taking 15 plays and over seven minutes to notch a field goal — the lone points of the first half — and requiring 13 plays and another seven minutes just to punt the ball from the Miami 37.
Adding greater adversity to Wisconsin’s offense, starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. was lost for the game on a non-contact injury in the second quarter, suffered while conducting a handoff. The Maryland transfer checked out in the early second quarter, making way for San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil to provide relief duties.
The score sat at a steady 3-0 for the entire second quarter. O’Neil finally kick-started Wisconsin’s offense in the third with a 31-yard completion to Vinny Anthony II. But upon reaching a 4th and 3 at the 10-yard line, the Badgers kept the offense on the field and O’Neil misfired to Miami safety Silas Walters on a jump ball to the end zone. As usual, Miami’s offense failed to capitalize on the momentum, but the trajectory of Wisconsin’s offense changed after that moment. O’Neil guided the Badgers down the field on his ensuing opportunity, this time finishing the job with a 3-yard slant to Anthony. Just 4:12 remained in the third quarter when Wisconsin notched the first touchdown of the night.
Another touchdown transpired in the fourth quarter, and although it was O’Neil on a QB keeper, the Badgers’ defense did all the work. Trailing 10-0, Finn tried to thread the needle from his own end zone, but the veteran quarterback’s pass was jumped by free safety Preston Zachman. Zachman returned the goods to the 2-yard line, setting up O’Neil’s second career rushing score.
In the lowest-scoring FBS matchup of the young 2025 season, most of the game’s playmakers were on defense. For Miami, defensive end Adam Trick stepped up into a starting role with six tackles, two sacks, and a pass breakup, while Silas Walters complemented his interception with a team-high eight tackles and two deflections. Wisconsin’s individual tackle numbers weren’t as high due to Miami’s inability to stay on the field, but outside linebacker Mason Reiger thrived, tied for a team-best four tackles to go along with two QB hurries and a share of a sack.
Miami falls to 1-19 in its last 20 matchups against Big Ten opponents while dropping its opener for the fifth consecutive season. The RedHawks have not won their first matchup of the year against a non-conference FBS competition since 2002. Meanwhile, Wisconsin improved to 38-1 against the MAC all-time, earning its 30th-straight victory over the conference dating back to 1989.
