OXFORD — Miami University returns to Yager Stadium looking to build on an encouraging performance against Cincinnati when the RedHawks host Connecticut on Saturday for Homecoming.
Miami (1-2) and UConn (2-1) kick off at 3:30 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. The RedHawks are coming off a 35-31 loss to Cincinnati at TQL Stadium, while the Huskies rolled past Southern Mississippi 48-20 for their first road victory of the season.
Here are five things to know:
1. McComb is quickly emerging as Miami’s offensive centerpiece
David McComb entered the season having never started a college game, but the Kansas transfer has quickly established himself at quarterback.
McComb has completed 46 of 74 passes for 809 yards, five touchdowns and one interception through three games. His 17.6 yards per completion leads the nation, according to UConn’s game notes.
His best performance came against Cincinnati. McComb threw for a career-high 334 yards and accounted for two touchdowns as Miami built a 28-7 halftime lead before the Bearcats rallied. His interception against Cincinnati was his first after beginning his Miami career with 62 consecutive pass attempts without one. McComb has also rushed for a touchdown in each of Miami’s last two games.
Maleek Huggins has developed into one of McComb’s primary targets. Huggins had a season-high 128 receiving yards against Cincinnati and has 205 yards through three games.
2. Miami has to contain another dangerous dual-threat quarterback
After dealing with Cincinnati quarterback JC French IV last week, Miami faces another quarterback capable of creating problems with his arm and legs.
UConn junior Kalieb Osborne has completed 45 of 69 passes for 635 yards and six touchdowns while throwing just one interception. He also leads the Huskies with 152 rushing yards and has scored four touchdowns on the ground.
Osborne accounted for four touchdowns in UConn’s victory over Southern Miss, throwing for 214 yards and two scores while rushing for 32 yards and two touchdowns. The Huskies finished with 436 yards — 223 passing and 213 rushing — in one of their most balanced offensive performances of the season.
UConn enters Saturday averaging 443.3 yards and 39.3 points per game. The Huskies are rushing for 193.7 yards per game and averaging 5 yards per carry.
3. Scoop Smith gives Miami a game-changing special teams weapon
Freshman Scoop Smith has needed only three games to become one of Miami’s most dangerous players.
Smith returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati, Miami’s first kickoff-return touchdown since Keith Reynolds against UNLV on Sept. 20, 2025. It was also the RedHawks’ first touchdown on an opening kickoff since Maurice Thomas against Western Michigan in 2018.
The Cincinnati return continued a remarkable start for the 5-foot-5 freshman. Smith had a 55-yard kickoff return against Pittsburgh in the opener and blocked a punt against Holy Cross that Miami recovered for a touchdown.
Smith’s explosiveness gives the RedHawks another avenue to change field position — or the scoreboard — without their offense taking the field.
4. Miami’s defense faces UConn at its most confident
The Huskies arrive in Oxford after arguably their most complete performance of the young season.
UConn scored on five of its seven first-half possessions at Southern Miss and built a 27-6 halftime advantage. The Huskies eventually stretched the lead to 41-6, with defensive lineman Anas Luqman returning an interception 24 yards for a touchdown. UConn forced two turnovers that led to points and held Southern Miss to 102 rushing yards.
The Huskies have scored 104 points in their two victories — beating Lafayette 56-7 and Southern Miss 48-20 — with their only loss coming 38-14 against Maryland.
Miami showed signs of increased pressure against Cincinnati. Grant Lyons recorded a career-high two sacks, including a fourth-quarter strip-sack that Roosevelt Andrews III recovered. Lyons leads Miami with three tackles for loss and two sacks, while Tyler Dikos has recorded a sack in consecutive games.
Miami’s pass defense remains an area to watch. Opponents have completed 69.6% of their passes for 930 yards and 10 touchdowns through three games.
5. It’s a first-time matchup with a familiar face on the other sideline
Saturday will mark the first football meeting between Miami and UConn, but Huskies coach Jason Candle is plenty familiar with the RedHawks.
Candle faced Miami four times while coaching Toledo, going 3-1. His lone loss came in the 2023 MAC championship game, when Miami defeated Toledo 23-14 to capture the conference title.
UConn has also enjoyed success against the MAC. The Huskies are 23-11 all-time against current conference members and have won their last three games against MAC opponents dating to 2022.
Saturday is Miami’s final tuneup before conference play begins. The RedHawks open their MAC schedule Oct. 3 against Bowling Green.
It is also Miami’s Homecoming game and just its second appearance at Yager Stadium this season. Miami won its first home game 45-7 over Holy Cross on Sept. 12.
