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RedHawks show progress in 35-13 loss to Broncos

For a Miami University football program stuck in a rebuilding process, any improvement, even in a loss, is a good sign. At least that's what head coach Chuck Martin said after losing 35-13 to Western Michigan University on Saturday in Kalamazoo, Mich.

"Vast improvement on our side," head coach Chuck Martin said. "Our compete level is so much better. Our intensity, our focus were so much better than they've been … we ran the same calls we ran a week ago, but we ran them with a lot more intensity and competed a lot harder."

Freshman quarterback Billy Bahl had his best start of the season, completing 13 of 26 passes for 200 yards. He had five interceptions in his previous two starts, but on Saturday, he had none.

"He's definitely making monumental leaps," sophomore tight end Ryan Smith said. "I think being a true freshman is a little overwhelming at times. I can attest to that myself, being a true freshman last year. It's a lot on his plate, quarterback is a tough position. I think he handled it well today. I think it was one of his better games passing-wise."

Smith, who grew up near the area and played in front of numerous friends and family members Saturday, totaled 34 yards on two catches.

Sophomore wide receiver Sam Martin had a season-high six catches and 134 yards.

The RedHawks' one glaring blunder was a sack-fumble in the first quarter.

"We had one really big mistake in the first half," Martin said. "It should've been a 14-10 game at halftime, maybe even 10-7, but you give up a sack-fumble."

On Miami's third play of the game, sophomore safety Asantay Brown sacked Bahl for a loss of seven yards and forced a fumble. WMU recovered the ball at Miami's 8-yard line, and two plays later, took a 7-0 lead on redshirt junior wide receiver Daniel Braverman's 6-yard touchdown catch.

The RedHawks answered with what was one of their best drives in weeks.

After an 18-yard catch from Martin and a 38-yard rush from freshman running back Alonzo Smith, redshirt freshman Gus Ragland stepped in as signal caller. After connecting with Ryan Smith on an 18-yard pass, he rushed 8 yards into the end zone. Senior Kaleb Patterson's point after the kick tied the game at 7-7 with 10:51 left in the quarter.

On the first play of Miami's next drive, Bahl hit Martin with a 60-yard bomb, but the Broncos forced the 'Hawks to kick a field goal. Patterson nailed a 31-yarder, putting Miami up 10-7 with 3:44 left.

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It was Miami's first lead in a first quarter since Week 1 against Presbyterian College and its first lead in any game since its late fourth quarter 33-30 lead against University of Cincinnati in Week 3.

"Offensively, it gave us a little bit of life," Martin said. "Any time you score, any time you take a lead, any time you're in a game that gives you energy and makes you wanna play better and makes you believe."

WMU scored touchdowns on two of its next three drives, taking a 21-10 lead into halftime.

The Broncos opened the second half with a 12-play, 78-yard touchdown drive in 5:17.

Bahl led the 'Hawks to the WMU 11 in a five-play, 40-yard drive, but was sacked for a loss of 10 yards on third down, forcing MU to kick a field goal again.

Patterson's 38-yarder hit the right post and ricocheted in, diminishing Western Michigan's lead to 28-13 with 7:02 on the clock.

A 3-yard touchdown from redshirt freshman running back Jamauri Bogan in garbage time solidified the Broncos' win.

We competed," Ryan Smith said. "Coach was harping on us all week to compete, and I thought that we did. I think as an offense we executed well in the first half. But came out in the second half and our defense was on the field a lot, so we didn't get a lot of chances."

Braverman and junior wideout Corey Davis combined for 248 of WMU's 278 total passing yards. Entering the game, the duo ranked third in the country in combined catches.

"Braverman and Davis, I think, are the best we've ever seen," Martin said. "I don't love to play against them, but I love them when we're watching."

Sophomore linebacker Paul Moses led the RedHawk defense with 12 tackles (five solo). Junior defensive lineman JT Jones totaled nine tackles (two solo), including 1.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

The Broncos outgained Miami 421 to 276 in total yardage and 25 to 12 in first downs. MU falls to 1-7 (0-4 Mid-American Conference) on the season, while WMU improves to 4-3 (3-0 MAC).

The Red and White return to Oxford for the first contest of a three-game home stand against University of New York at Buffalo on Thursday.

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