The RedHawks win their fourth-straight to remain in the driver’s seat for a MAC Championship appearance.
‘Tis the season.
Midweek MACtion officially kicked off Tuesday night with a two-game slate. The second of the two matchups — Miami (OH) vs. Ball State, deemed the “Redbird Rivalry” — was granted the ESPN flagship network timeslot, providing both programs an opportunity to make an impression on a national audience.
The RedHawks capitalized with a 27-21 victory in downpour conditions, winning their fourth consecutive matchup following a 1-4 start. The reigning MAC champions claimed their fifth-straight Redbird Rivalry win, and for the fifth time in a row, it came in closely-contested fashion with one possession of separation.
Miami kicker Dom Dzioban sunk a 39-yard field goal — his second of the fourth quarter — to hand the RedHawks a 27-21 lead with 1:48 remaining. That mandated Ball State cross the goal line in those final 108 seconds to complete the upset. Ball State’s final drive launched in promising fashion as the Cardinals flew down to the Miami 34-yard line in two plays. But upon reaching RedHawk territory, Miami’s defense cranked up the intensity. On 3rd and 11, reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year Matt Salopek raided the backfield to collect a pivotal sack. Then on 4th and 18, Ball State’s throw fell incomplete well short of the sticks to secure a Miami victory.
Ball State never led in the second half, but the Cardinals notched the first touchdown of the night. In a bizarre play which could only be defined as textbook “MACtion,” Ball State took a 7-0 lead on an unorthodox special teams touchdown. Miami punter Alec Bevelhimer dropped the ball on the turf without following through with his normal punting motion. He scooped it up and then tried to throw a pass while getting leveled to the turf. The Cardinals’ leading edge rusher Brandon Berger snatched it for his first career interception, racing back to the end zone 46 yards for Ball State’s only defensive touchdown of 2024.
Miami didn’t marinate in a deficit too long as sixth-year senior quarterback utilized a heavy dose of wide receiver Reggie Virgil. On the RedHawks’ third drive of the night, Virgil caught two deep balls from Gabbert spanning 75 yards, and he reached the end zone on the second of the two receptions to knot the score at seven apiece.
Ball State retook a 10-7 lead on a short field after its offense stalled inside the Miami 10, and the RedHawks made them pay. Miami jumped in front, 14-10, in the middle of the second quarter when Gabbert found running back Kevin Davis for a 12-yard touchdown connection. Ball State once again answered with a chip shot field goal inside the 10-yard line, but Miami responded to field goals with touchdowns. Gabbert delivered his third touchdown strike of the half to Javon Tracy, claiming a 21-13 advantage heading into the locker room.
The Cardinals fought their way back into the game. In the middle of the third quarter, quarterback Kadin Semonza launched a 55-yard deep ball to Justin Bowick down the left sideline for Bowick’s first touchdown of the season. The FCS Eastern Illinois transfer entered the night with just 64 receiving yards but exited as one of Ball State’s offensive stars, racking up eight receptions for 171 yards in a nationally televised showcase. Right after Bowick’s explosive touchdown, Ball State tied the game at 21 on the two-point try, running a reverse to wide receiver Cam Pickett for paydirt.
Dzioban’s two fourth quarter field goals were the only points for the remainder of the game, as Miami’s defense consistently held its ground. Ball State punted from its own territory on the three possessions following its tying touchdown, with two of those series winding up in three-and-out fashion.
Miami’s defense held its 22nd consecutive opponent to 30 points or fewer, continuing the longest streak in the MAC. Raion Strader and Corban Hondru both picked off passes for the RedHawks, which have eight interceptions since Oct. 5 after corralling zero in their first four matchups. The unit — which limited Ball State to 2.2 yards per rush — also tallied three sacks and seven tackles for loss, led by Salopek’s monumental takedown in crunch time.
Offensively, Gabbert finished with 219 yards and three touchdowns despite completing just 16-of-32 passes. He received an ample assist from tailback Keyon Mozee, who rushed for 100+ yards for the fifth time in six games. Miami is now 5-0 when Mozee hits the century mark and 0-4 when he is held to 40 yards or below. Two RedHawk receivers also left a strong impression on the result, as Virgil captured five receptions for 101 yards and Javon Tracy caught six passes for 85 yards.
Ball State (3-6, 2-3 MAC) is pushed to the brink for bowl eligibility as the Cardinals must win out to claim their first postseason appearance since 2021. Ball State remains on Tuesday night for another week, and it must defeat Buffalo on the road in order to sustain those hopes.
Miami (5-4, 4-1 MAC) is above .500 for the first time in 2024, collecting its fourth-straight win after a dreary 1-4 start. The 2023 MAC champion RedHawks remain in the driver’s seat to compete in their second-straight MAC title game. The next opponent on the docket is winless Kent State which takes a trip to Oxford, OH next Wednesday.