By Anna Bella Ramirez

11/13/2024

OXFORD, Ohio– The Miami University football team rolled to a 34-7 victory over Kent State Wednesday night to become bowl-eligible for the seventh consecutive season. Keyon Mozee rushed for a career-high 196 yards and a touchdown for the RedHawks (6-4, 5-1 MAC), who won their fifth consecutive game. KSU falls to 0-10, 0-6 MAC.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the Golden Flashes grabbed a 7-0 lead on their opening possession, the RedHawks answered back to even the score midway through the first quarter. Brian Ugwu tipped a pass that Matt Salopek intercepted at the Miami 31-yard line, and Brett Gabbert threw a 69-yard touchdown to Reggie Virgil on the next play to make it 7-7 with 8:09 remaining in the period.
• Miami took a 10-7 lead on its next possession, capitalizing on a pair of Javon Tracy catches to set up a Dom Dzioban field goal. A 23-yard gain for Tracy moved the RedHawks into KSU territory, and his fourth-down catch later on the drive put the Red and White in field goal range. Dzioban ultimately converted from 45 yards out to give Miami its first lead of the night.
• The RedHawks only needed three plays on their next drive to stretch their advantage. A 39-yard rush by Mozee started the drive, and a 34-yard scoring strike to Tracy ended it, as Miami went on top 17-7 with 11:18 left in the half.
• Miami scored on its opening drive of the second half to extend its lead to 24-7. Kevin Davis carried the ball three straight times for a total of 31 yards, including a six-yard scoring burst up the middle to give the Red and White a three-possession lead with 9:52 left in the third quarter.
• Just before the period expired, Mozee ripped off a career-long 74-yard touchdown run to stretch the Miami cushion to 31-7.
• After Ty Wise forced a fumble that Adam Trick recovered, the RedHawks took over at the Kent State 22-yard line. Miami eventually added a 25-yard Dzioban field goal with 11:40 left in the game to account for the final margin.

NOTES

• Gabbert, who threw for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns, went over 10,000 passing yards for his career.
• Virgil caught a touchdown pass for the fifth game in a row, while Tracy now has touchdown receptions in four straight contests.
• Mozee recorded his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game.
• Miami out-gained the visitors by nearly 300 yards (477 to 178).
• Salopek and Reid Holskey each made the 50th starts of their careers.
• Ugwu, Wise, Corey Suttle and Christian McKinney each collected a sack for the RedHawks.
• Dzioban moved into a tie for third place on Miami’s all-time single-season list with his 20th made field goal of the year.

UP NEXT:
The RedHawks welcome Northern Illinois to Yager Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 19 for the final regular-season home game of the year. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN.

COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS