OXFORD — Miami University found itself in another fourth-quarter fight Saturday, Sept. 26.
This time, the RedHawks finished it.
Miami erased an early 14-point deficit, overcame starting quarterback David McComb leaving with an injury and got a late 33-yard field goal from freshman Brady Stidham to beat UConn 24-21 in its Homecoming game at Yager Stadium.
The RedHawks improved to 2-2 heading into Mid-American Conference play, while UConn fell to 2-2. Miami finished with 414 yards of offense, including 312 passing yards from McComb.
Here are five takeaways:
1. Miami finished a close one
A week after a 35-31 loss to Cincinnati in which Miami moved out to three score lead before the half and had opportunities to win late, the RedHawks found themselves in almost the same position.
This time, they made the necessary plays.
UConn took possession with 1:42 remaining and a chance to tie or win. Miami’s defense ultimately forced an incompletion on fourth down to seal the victory.
It was an important step for a young Miami team that coach Chuck Martin has repeatedly said is learning how to handle critical moments.
“Last week, we had opportunities on O and D and special teams to end the game and failed in all three opportunities,” Martin said. “Our defense obviously gets a stop at the end to win the game.
“We talked about it last Sunday. It’s going to be like this most weeks. Somebody’s going to have to make a play at the end.”
Miami did exactly that Saturday.
2. The defense grew up after a disastrous start
For roughly the first 10 minutes, it looked like Miami’s defensive problems were continuing.
UConn covered 159 yards on its first 16 plays and scored touchdowns on its first two possessions. The Huskies quickly built a 14-0 lead and had Miami reeling.
Then everything changed.
Miami allowed just seven points over the remainder of the game and came up with the stops it needed down the stretch.
“They grew up a lot today,” Martin said. “It was a great step in the right direction. … When the game was on the line, we actually executed and won the game.”
Defensive lineman Brach Rice said the emphasis was on Miami’s front taking control.
“We knew that our D-line was going to be the group that had to take this game over,” Rice said. “Second half, we got after them a little bit.”
After surrendering 35 points to Cincinnati and struggling defensively in its season-opening loss at Pittsburgh, Miami produced the kind of response Martin had been waiting to see.
3. McComb continues to be the answer at quarterback — now his health becomes the concern
McComb again showed why Miami turned the offense over to the Kansas transfer.
After a slow start, McComb helped erase the 14-0 deficit and finished 19 of 29 for 312 yards. He accounted for three touchdowns — two through the air and another on the ground — before leaving with an injury. He did not return.
His biggest throw came when he connected with Brendan Loftus for a 57-yard touchdown that helped Miami erase the early deficit.
McComb later found freshman Scoop Smith for another touchdown.
“He’s here from dawn to dusk,” Loftus said of McComb. “I’ve never been around someone who puts in more time than David. … I’m so grateful to be his teammate.”
Martin did not have an immediate update on McComb afterward.
“If he could survive, David would have been out there, I promise you,” Martin said.
With MAC play approaching, McComb’s status immediately becomes one of Miami’s biggest questions.
4. Miami’s depth produced some unlikely heroes
Miami entered Saturday battered by injuries. By the fourth quarter, the RedHawks were digging even deeper.
Loftus was thrust into an expanded role with Christian Ross unavailable and delivered the biggest performance of his young career. The tight end turned McComb’s throw into a spectacular 57-yard touchdown, making a one-handed catch before racing to the end zone.
Martin said Miami had identified the play during preparation as one that could produce a touchdown.
“We talked all week,” Martin said. “If we hit this right, it was going to be a touchdown.”
Then McComb went down.
Backup quarterback Caleb Heavner entered in a 21-21 game and helped Miami move into position for the winning field goal.
The RedHawks even turned to defensive lineman Brach Rice as a short-yardage ball carrier. Rice converted a crucial fourth-and-1 during the fourth quarter.
Rice said carrying the football wasn’t entirely foreign territory.
“I played quarterback my senior year,” Rice said. “I’ve always had the ball in my hand, so it really wasn’t that big of a deal.”
On a day Miami was missing pieces and losing more as the game progressed, the RedHawks found enough answers.
5. A freshman kicker delivered when Miami needed him most
Miami’s kicking situation had become one of the afternoon’s biggest concerns.
The RedHawks had already missed field-goal opportunities with Kellan McLaughlin before Martin made a change with the game tied in the fourth quarter.
True freshman Brady Stidham got the call.
According to Martin, Stidham had not taken a rep with Miami’s first-team field-goal unit all season.
None of that mattered.
Stidham drilled a 33-yard field goal to put Miami ahead 24-21.
“Freshman kicker making a big kick,” Martin said. “Hasn’t taken a rep with the ones all year, and all of a sudden, fourth quarter, Game 4, you’re going out there trying to win a game — and he knocked it through.”
For a Miami team still trying to find its footing after opening the season with difficult games against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, Saturday required contributions from seemingly everywhere.
The RedHawks got them.
