SATURDAY’S GAME
OXFORD — Buffalo already had won on Saturday to improve to 3-0 in the Mid-American Conference before Miami squared off against Kent State at Yager Stadium.
The Bulls win left the RedHawks in desperate need of a win over the visiting Golden Flashes to keep from falling further behind front-running Buffalo in the MAC East Division.
The RedHawks took an early 17-0 lead and led, 27-14, going into the fourth quarter, but they still needed a time-consuming last possession to hold off Kent State for a 27-24 Homecoming win.
“We were 0-1,” ninth-year Miami coach Chuck Martin said. “We’d lost to an East opponent. If we want to win the division, we’ve got to win this game. Now, we’re 1-1, and we have a chance to play another week.
“I’m really proud,” he added. “In 31 years, I’m as proud of this as much as any.”
Quarterback Aveon Smith completed a 16-yard, fourthdown pass to tight end Jack Coldiron to keep alive the drive, which started on the 15-yar line after two penal- ties. Smith sprung free for a 31-yard run to get the RedHawks out of that hole. Miami maintained possession the rest of the way.
“We dug a hole,” said Smith, who finished 9-of-14 for 179 yards with one inter- ception and gained 71 yards on 10 carries. “We went deep. I said in the huddle, ‘Stay calm. I’ll get us out of this. Just block.’
“I was excited. I was happy he let us go for it. You know how much he loves defense.”
“I thought we would get more on third down,” Martin said about going for the first down instead of trying
Miami at Bowling Green, Noon, ESPN+, 980, a field goal on fourth-and-6 from the Kent State 28. “I thought we’d get it on third down. We only have so many bullets in the gun. I kind of felt like the offense was roll- ing a little better than the defense at that point. It just felt good. If we make it, it’s only a six-point lead. It ended up being perfect.”
Running back Tyre Shelton scored two touchdowns and sophomore kicker Graham Nicholson kicked two field goals of 49 and 45 yards to help Miami improve to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the MAC East.
The RedHawks are scheduled to meet East rival Bowl- ing Green at Bowling Green on Saturday at noon. The
Falcons slipped to 2-4 overcapitalized with a 49-yard all and 1-1 in the MAC with field goal with 6:34 left in a 38-7 home loss to Buffalo the first quarter. on Saturday. The Bulls, who “That was a huge play in the edged Miami, 24-20, in Buf- game,” Martin said. “I know falo on Oct. 1, improved to it was only the first half, but 3-3 and 3-0. the less possessions you give
“It was a hard week com- these cats, the better your ing off the loss,” Martin said. chances of beating them.” “There was a ton of pressure.” Smith and wide receiver
Kent State quarterback Myles Marshall connected Collin Schlee was 23-of-40 on a 76-yard pass that set for 306 yards and three up Shelton’s 2-yard touchtouchdowns while operat- down run with 5:07 left in ing the fast-paced Golden the quarter.
Flashes offense. Running back Kevin Davis
“All week, we focused on scored on a 41-yard run with controlling our own des1:58 left in the quarter. Davis tiny,” said Miami linebacker finished with a career-high Matt Salopek, who had nine 72 yards on eight carries. tackles, including a careerSmith found Coldiron wide high two sacks. “We came open along the left sideline in on Sunday and fixed what for a 41-yard pass down to the needed to be fixed and came 3-yard line. Shelton stretched out and executed the game the ball across the goal line plan.” from there for his first career
Miami scored on three multi-touchdown game. straight possessions to open Kent State responded with up a 17-point first quarter an 83-yard, nine-play drive, lead. Defensive back Michael overcoming penalties on conDowell recovered a fumbled secutive plays with Schlee’s punt return at Kent State’s 23-yard touchdown pass to 31-yard line and Nicholson Walker.