Recap: Miami football falls to Bobcats at the 2024 MAC championship

In 2014, the Northern Illinois University Huskies defeated the Bowling Green State University Falcons 51-17 at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship. It was the largest score differential at the championship game in conference history.

Today, the Ohio University Bobcats established a new record with a 38-3 victory against the Miami University RedHawks at Ford Field. It was the Bobcats’ first MAC title since 1968.

By the end of the first half, the Bobcats had out-performed the RedHawks in every way. Miami had under 100 total yards going into the third quarter while Ohio had 230.

The RedHawks’ opening drive culminated in a field goal by redshirt junior kicker Dominic Dzioban. Miami held a 3-0 lead, but the Bobcats’ offense dominated the rest of the game.

Graduate student quarterback Parker Navarro rushed for a touchdown on Ohio’s first offensive drive to take the lead. The Bobcats held the lead for the rest of the day. Navarro rushed for another touchdown and threw for one before halftime.

Going into the third quarter, Ohio kept its dominance with another passing touchdown from Navarro to graduate student receiver Coleman Owens. A field goal from sophomore kicker Gianni Spetic and a rushing touchdown from graduate student running back Anthony Tyus III sealed Miami’s defeat.

Ohio scored on every offensive drive except one.

Photo by Sarah Frosch | The Miami Student
The RedHawks lined up against the Bobcats' offense

Navarro finished the day with 235 passing yards, 67 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Graduate student receiver Coleman Owens and redshirt first-year tight-end Mason Williams combined for 105 yards and each caught a touchdown.

Sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert threw for 127 yards and one interception. Receivers Javon Tracy and Reggie Virgil caught 87 of those yards.

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Defensively, senior linebacker Ty Wise led with 17 tackles. The RedHawks sacked Navarro once.

After the game, Gabbert and sixth-year linebacker Matt Salopek said this game was overall a disappointment for the RedHawks after their late rally during the regular season.

“You start 1-4, and you win seven-straight [to get] to this point,” Gabbert said. “We’re proud of ourselves, proud of the team. [It’s] certainly not the way you want to go out as a sixth-year senior.”

The RedHawks conclude the 2024 football season with a bowl game appearance. The game they will play is set to be announced on Dec. 8.

@thekethan04

babukc2@miamioh.edu