OXFORD — The nonconference portion of the schedule is complete. Now comes the part of the season that has defined Miami University football under Chuck Martin.
Miami opens Mid-American Conference play Saturday when Bowling Green visits Yager Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+.
The RedHawks enter conference play at 2-2 after rallying from a 14-point deficit to beat UConn 24-21 last Saturday. Bowling Green comes to Oxford 0-4 in its second season under coach Eddie George.
Here are five things to know heading into Saturday’s MAC opener:
- Miami begins another chase for Detroit
Whatever happened during the first four weeks, Miami has established itself as one of the MAC’s most consistent programs once conference play begins.
The RedHawks are 55-22 in their last 77 games against MAC opponents after beginning Martin’s tenure 4-14 in conference play. Miami is 22-5 over its last 27 MAC games and has appeared in three consecutive MAC championship games.
Miami owns a conference-record 17 MAC championships and 330 all-time conference victories. Martin is 57-34 in MAC play and has become the winningest coach in Miami history with 74 victories.
The RedHawks enter their conference slate in better position than they have in several recent years. Miami started 0-3 in 2025 before eventually reaching the MAC championship game and opened 1-4 in 2024 before finishing 8-5.
Bowling Green is also looking at Saturday as a fresh start. The Falcons are winless but have won their last two MAC openers, beating Toledo 28-23 last season and Akron 27-20 in 2024.
- McComb’s status changes everything
David McComb has been one of the biggest developments of Miami’s season, but the RedHawks will have to begin MAC play without him. The Kansas transfer is out for the season.
Martin said earlier this week that McComb is done for the season after the redshirt freshman left the UConn game during the fourth quarter. Martin said McComb was dealing with both upper- and lower-body issues.
Before leaving against UConn, McComb completed 19 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another score. Through four games, he had thrown for 1,121 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception. His 17.3 yards per completion leads the nation.
Caleb Heavner is expected to take over as the starter.
Heavner, a transfer from Division II Fort Hays State, was thrust into the UConn game with the score tied 21-21. He completed all three of his passes and helped move Miami into position for Brady Stidham’s game-winning field goal.
Unlike McComb when he took over Miami’s offense, Heavner has starting experience at the college level after spending two years as a starter at Fort Hays State.
“The biggest thing is, he’s started for two years in college,” Martin said Monday.
With Thomas Gotkowski already sidelined by an injury suffered during fall camp, true freshman Drew Bellisari could move into the backup role Saturday with Lakota West grad Mitch Bolden moving into the quarterback depth chart as well.
- Miami’s passing game meets Bowling Green’s strength
One of Saturday’s most interesting matchups will come when Miami throws the football.
The RedHawks average 289.3 passing yards per game, ranking among the top 25 nationally, and have developed a deep group of targets. At least seven Miami players have caught a pass in every game this season, including eight against UConn.
Bowling Green, despite its 0-4 record, has been difficult to throw against.
The Falcons are allowing just 170.5 passing yards per game, best in the MAC and among the top 30 nationally entering the week.
They can also get after the quarterback.
Myles Bradley recorded 4½ sacks in Bowling Green’s 14-6 loss to South Florida, part of a six-sack performance by the Falcons. Bradley entered the week leading the MAC and ranking among the national leaders in sacks per game.
That creates an important challenge for a Miami offensive line that has plenty of experience. Miami’s projected five offensive linemen have combined for 100 career starts, including four returning starters from last season.
- Can Miami make Bowling Green’s offensive struggles continue?
The Falcons have had a difficult time finding the end zone.
Bowling Green is averaging just 8.3 points per game, last nationally entering the week, after losses to Tarleton State, Nebraska, Iowa State and South Florida. The Falcons have scored seven points or fewer in three consecutive games.
BGSU averages 232 yards of total offense and only 13.5 first downs per game. Its 28.9% third-down conversion rate also ranks near the bottom nationally.
Quarterback Jay Kastantin has completed 58 of 91 passes for 565 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Austyn Dendy has 174 yards on 55 carries, while Winn Sharp has emerged as a receiving threat and has led the Falcons in receiving yards in each of their last two games.
That gives Miami’s defense an opportunity to build on what it did after a rough start against UConn.
The Huskies drove 87 and 84 yards for touchdowns on their first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead. Miami then allowed only seven points the rest of the game, and CJ Young’s fourth-quarter interception — Miami’s first of the season — helped set up the winning possession.
- Scoop Smith continues to be Miami’s wild card
Few players have impacted Miami games in as many different ways as freshman Scoop Smith.
Smith has been involved in a touchdown in three consecutive games — and has done it three different ways.
He blocked a punt against Holy Cross that Leo Colombi returned for a touchdown. A week later, Smith returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown against Cincinnati. Against UConn, he caught his first career touchdown pass.
Smith enters the Bowling Green game averaging 43.6 yards per kickoff return, second nationally, and gives Miami an explosive element capable of changing field position without the offense taking a snap.
Saturday will also feature a different look for the RedHawks. Miami will wear special Cradle of Coaches-inspired uniforms featuring black and gold elements, a retro arched “Miami” helmet design and gold facemasks.
The uniform is a nod to Miami’s history, but the RedHawks’ immediate focus is adding to their recent one.
Miami is trying to reach the MAC championship game for a fourth consecutive season.
The road back to Detroit starts Saturday.
