Preview: Miami football to face Ohio University in the MAC Championship

The Miami University RedHawks football team (8-4, 7-1 in conference play) will return to Ford Field this Saturday, Dec. 7, for its second consecutive run at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship title.

The RedHawks won last year’s title 23-14 against the University of Toledo Rockets. They look to continue their seven-game winning streak with a rematch against the Ohio University Bobcats (9-3, 7-1 in conference play).

This game will mark the season's second meeting between the RedHawks and the Bobcats. Miami won the first game 30-20 on Oct. 19.

The rivals have played every year since 1945 excluding the 2020 season. Miami holds the series advantage with a 56-42-2 record. Saturday’s game will be the first time the schools have faced each other in a championship game.

Last week’s win against the Bowling Green State University Falcons brought the RedHawks their seventh-straight win and earned them a spot in Detroit. The Bobcats earned their ticket with their fifth-straight win over the Ball State University Cardinals.

Having started the season 1-4, Miami head coach Chuck Martin had his doubts about returning to the championship, describing the beginning of the season as “one of the hardest in his coaching career” in last week’s postgame press conference.

Despite early challenges, the RedHawks recovered and will face the third-ranked offensive team in the MAC.

Graduate student quarterback Parker Navarro leads Ohio. Along with 10 passing touchdowns, Navarro leads the MAC with 13 rushing touchdowns and places fifth with 876 yards.

Graduate student running back Anthony Tyus III placed second in the conference behind Miami running back Keyon Mozee (1,045 yards) with 960 rushing yards.

Navarro has targeted graduate student receiver Coleman Owen for 62 receptions, totaling 1032 yards. Owen has caught seven of the Bobcats’ 12 receiving touchdowns this season.

Ohio’s record had the team facing stiff competition, accounting for two losses early in the season against Syracuse University and the University of Kentucky.

The Bobcats claimed two non-conference wins against the University of South Alabama and Morgan State University.

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“[Ohio is] a good program that does stuff the right way,” Martin said as he looks forward to a high-caliber game this weekend between two top MAC schools.

With a championship ring on the line, the RedHawks look to bring it home in back-to-back years for the first time in program history. Kickoff is set for noon at Ford Field, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

lubyhj@miamioh.edu