By Cord Rankin

EVANSTON, Ill.– The Miami University football team dropped its season opener 13-6 at Northwestern Saturday afternoon in a defensive battle. Cade McDonald led the Red and White with a career-high eight receptions for 105 yards, while Matt Salopek made a game-high 10 tackles. The Wildcats move to 1-0 on the season, and the RedHawks fall to 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Northwestern took a 3-0 lead midway through the opening quarter on a 45-yard kick, Miami promptly responded to tie the score. A pair of key third-down conversions on passes from Brett Gabbert to Javon Tracy and McDonald moved the RedHawks into Northwestern territory. Dom Dzioban capped the drive with a 43-yard field goal to pull Miami even at 3-3.
• In the second quarter, the Wildcats marched from their own 40-yard line to inches away from the end zone, but Salopek recovered a fumble near the goal line to thwart a 10-play drive and keep the score knotted at 3-all heading to intermission.
• Northwestern capitalized on its opening drive of the second half, as Wildcat quarterback Mike Wright scrambled and completed a pass to the Miami 13-yard line on 3rd-and-long. Wright rushed for a touchdown on the next play to give the home team a 10-3 advantage at the 9:42 mark of the third quarter.
• A 43-yard Alec Bevelhimer punt pinned the ‘Cats at their own three-yard line, but Northwestern was able to move the ball into Miami territory on back-to-back completions to Bryce Kirtz before settling for a 38-yard field goal with 14:47 remaining in the game.
• The RedHawks battled back to make it a one-score game on the following possession. Gabbert completed passes to Reggie Virgil and McDonald on the first two snaps, and then eluded a near-certain sack to find McDonald again. A late hit personal foul moved the ball into the red zone, and Dzioban came through with a 26-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 13-6.
• On Northwestern’s ensuing drive, the Wildcats missed a 45-yard field goal attempt wide left with 2:56 to play. Miami drove to the Northwestern 35 in the game’s final minute, but an interception ended the RedHawks’ comeback hopes.

NOTES

• Gabbert finished 22-37 through the air for 227 yards in his first action since Oct. 21, 2023.
• Dzioban made the first field goal of his career.
• Salopek moved into 10th place on Miami’s all-time list with 402 career tackles, passing Joe Farais (1976-78).
• Northwestern lost two fumbles in the first half after losing just one in the entire 2023 season.
• Ugwu led Miami with two tackles for loss, matching his career high.

UP NEXT:
The RedHawks host Cincinnati in the Battle for the Victory Bell on Saturday, Sept. 14 at noon at Yager Stadium. Tickets to the home opener are available for purchase here.

COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS