It’s the official start to college football’s bowl season as we get a matchup between the MAC and Conference USA down in an island paradise. The Miami (OH) RedHawks are the “road” team as they take on the UAB Blazers Friday morning in the HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl. Miami (OH) closed their regular season slate with an 18-17 win over Ball State at home on November 22, though they failed to cover the spread as a 2.5-point favorite. UAB was in a similar boat as they won their regular season finale 37-27 over Louisiana Tech on the road, failing to cover the line as an 18.5-point favorite. This marks the first time that the two teams have met on the gridiron as FBS opponents.
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Miami (OH) squeaked out a win over Ball State in their regular season finale to earn bowl eligibility. The RedHawks ended the year 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the MAC, leaving them fourth in the East Division: they did win three of their final four games. Against Ball State, Miami (OH) trailed 7-0 after the opening quarter, 14-3 at the half and 17-6 after three quarters only to score two touchdowns in the final 6:12 to get the win. Aveon Smith’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Miles Marshall with 1:42 to play gave the RedHawks the lead and the eventual victory. Miami (OH) was outgained 407-347 in total offense despite owning edges in the first down battle (26-19) and time of possession (31:10 to 28:50) in the contest. The RedHawks also forced a pair of turnovers while committing just one.
The RedHawks have had their issues on the offensive side of the ball this season: they enter this game 121st in the nation in passing offense (165.8 yards per game) and 75th in rushing (143.4 yards per game) so far. Miami (OH) is 113th in the FBS in scoring offense by putting up 20.2 points per contest and are 35th in scoring defense in the FBS by allowing 22.5 points per game. Brett Gabbert has completed 74 of 115 passes for 816 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions this season along with 55 rushing yards and a score. Aveon Smith is 93 of 190 for 1,137 yards with nine touchdowns against five interceptions along with a team-high 503 yards plus six scores on the ground on the year. Keyon Mozee is second the team on the ground with 106 carries for 455 yards plus two scores. Kevin Davis (51 carries, 276 yards, TD), Kenny Tracy (36 carries, 149 yards) and Tyre Shelton (77 carries, 290 yards, three) have all seen action as well. Mac Hippenhammer is far and away the team’s leading receiver as he has hauled in 52 passes for 726 yards and eight scores. Miles Marshall (23 catches, 377 yards, two TD), Jalen Walker (24 grabs, 246 yards) and Jack Coldiron (23 receptions, 271 yards, TD) each have cracked the 200-yard mark in receiving yards this season. Graham Nicholson has hit 25 of 25 extra points and 18 of 22 field goals with a long of 49 this season.