By the second quarter of Saturday’s matchup against the Central Michigan University Chippewas (3-5, 1-3 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play), it wasn’t looking favorable for the Miami University RedHawks (4-4, 3-1 in MAC play).
The RedHawks were down 7-3, and sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert exited the second quarter with a left-shoulder injury, echoing the loss last October against Toledo.
When the clock ran out in the fourth quarter, the RedHawks emerged victorious with their biggest win differential of the season, 46-7.
Their win cemented Chuck Martin as the head coach with the most wins in Miami history at 60, one more than Randy Walker.
In the first quarter, redshirt junior placekicker Dom Dzioban put up three for the RedHawks with a 31-yard field goal attempt. However, the Chippewas responded with a drive composed of on-the-ground attacks from senior running back Marion Lukes and redshirt first-year quarterback Tyler Jefferson.
Central Michigan got to the 1-yard line, and an outside run from senior running back Myles Bailey earned the Chippewas a touchdown and a four-point lead.
On Miami’s next drive, Gabbert was sacked. After several seconds, RedHawks fans realized he wasn’t standing up. He left the field with an injury to his left shoulder, bringing in backup redshirt junior quarterback Henry Hesson.
Kevin Davis reaching for a pass on Saturday against the Chippewas.
Senior running back Keyon Mozee found a gap and took a monstrous run for 71 yards to put the RedHawks at the 7-yard line to close out the first quarter.
Hesson threw the first touchdown of his career with an endzone throw to Virgil to bring Miami up 10-7 at the start of the second quarter.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Adam Trick stifled Central Michigan’s next drive with a 9-yard sack on Jefferson, forcing the Chippewas to punt.
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Miami ran the ball down the field, and a 15-yard pass to Virgil brought them to the 10-yard line. Hesson’s pass to senior running back Kevin Davis on third down was incomplete, bringing Dzioban out for a 22-yard field goal attempt.
Dzioban’s kick brought Miami up 13-7 halfway through the second quarter.
Towards the end of the half, Central Michigan set up redshirt senior kicker Tristan Mattson for a 46-yard field goal attempt. Mattson’s kick was no-good, giving Miami the ball with under two minutes in the half.
Tracy hauled in a catch with one hand to get Miami to the 5-yard line. Hesson spiked the ball with three seconds on the clock, allowing Dzioban to kick a 23-yard field goal and bring the RedHawks up two scores.
“In pre-game, I always do one-hand catches,” Tracy said after the game. “On that play, I saw the safety on top, and I know if Henry’s gonna throw, it’s going to be high, and I saw the corner coming. I got to brace for the hit, [and I] snagged it.”
Despite the injury, Gabbert returned in the third quarter. Over halftime, Martin planned on keeping Hesson in, but Gabbert pleaded his case.
“He was cleared to go back in, but he was hurting,” Martin said. “[Henry] may not be exactly what we want, but we’re doing fine with him. Brett came over and basically told us, ‘I’m going back in, coach. I came back, this is all I got.’”
Cade McDonald reaching for an endzone pass from Henry Hesson in the second quarter
The second half was entirely in Miami’s hands.
After a 51-yard field goal from Dzioban put Miami up 19-7, Tracy got wide open for a 36-yard passing touchdown from Gabbert on Miami’s next drive.
The RedHawks sent Dzioban out for his fifth field goal of the game to bring Miami up 29-7 with 13 minutes in the fourth quarter. This kick tied the record for most field goals in a game in Miami history.
Davis and redshirt junior running back Jordan Brunson combined for 135 yards and two rushing touchdowns on back-to-back drives, extending Miami’s lead to 43-7.
An interception by redshirt sophomore wide receiver Christian Schomer allowed Miami to kick another field goal, this time from redshirt first-year Kellan McLaughlin.
McLaughlin’s kick ended the game 46-7 and brought the celebration to the field for Martin’s accomplishment.
After the game, a video played on the jumbotron with Martin’s family and former players and coaches, including Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay.
“It was an amazing video,” Martin said. “I didn’t think NFL head coaches would be congratulating me. Then all the players; we all know that’s how you get wins. You need good coaches too, but [you need] good players.”
Miami wrapped up its weekend games and will start midweek MACtion on Nov. 5 at Ball State University.
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