9/10/2022

OXFORD, Ohio— Aveon Smith threw three touchdown passes in his first career start and the Miami University football team won its home opener 31-14 over Robert Morris Saturday night.

Mac Hippenhammer caught two touchdown passes for the RedHawks (1-1), who scored 28 consecutive points after an early touchdown by Robert Morris (0-2). Miami recorded its 15th straight victory at Yager Stadium, extending the second-longest home win streak in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Miami scored on its opening drive, sparked by a Kevin Davis 31-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. After a key third-down conversion on a pass to Davis, the RedHawks entered field goal range. Graham Nicholson’s 45-yard kick made it 3-0.
• Robert Morris answered back on its first possession, starting with a 79-yard pass on the second play of the drive. Anthony Purge later found the end zone from two yards out to give RMU a 7-3 lead.
• The RedHawks re-took the lead with 3:42 to play in the first quarter. Smith led Miami on an 11-play, 71-yard drive, including picking up a 4th-and-2 with a six-yard pass to Jalen Walker. Smith capped the drive with a scoring toss to Luke Bolden from 17 yards out to put Miami on top 10-7.
• Miami stretched its advantage to 17-7 in the second quarter. After a career-long 67-yard punt from Dom Dzioban flipped the field position, a John Saunders Jr. interception gave Miami the ball at the Colonials’ 22-yard line. Smith connected with Hippenhammer for a touchdown pass on the next play.
• A Ryan McWood interception later in the period set up the RedHawks at the RMU 43-yard line. Seven plays later, Keyon Mozee bulled his way into the end zone from a yard out to help the Red and White to a 24-7 halftime lead.
• After neither team scored in the third quarter, the RedHawks put together a 67-yard scoring drive to go up 31-7. Smith made plays on the ground and through the air both, scampering for 26 yards to pick up a 3rd-and-5 and eventually finishing off the drive with an 18-yard scoring strike to Hippenhammer.
• Robert Morris closed the scoring on an eight-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining in the game.

NOTES:

• Smith finished 14-22 through the air for 155 yards and became the first Miami quarterback to throw at least three touchdowns in his first career start since Andrew Hendrix in 2014.
• Bolden’s touchdown was his first career score and first career catch after playing the previous three seasons at linebacker for Miami.
• Ty Wise and Camden Rogers were credited with sacks for the RedHawks; Rogers’ sack was the first of his Miami career.
• Miami out-rushed the visitors 216 yards to 40.
• McWood recorded his second career interception.
• Hippenhammer matched his career high with two touchdown catches.
• Smith, Ja’Von Kimpson, Will Jados, and Michael Dowell made their first career starts for the RedHawks.
• Henry Hesson made his first career appearance at quarterback in the fourth quarter.

COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS