Where: Yager Stadium (24,286), Oxford.
TV: ESPN 3
Radio: WMOH-AM (1450)
Stat pack: Miami QB Austin Boucher, 28-of-65 (43.1 percent), 363 yards, 2 TD, 3 int.; QB Austin Gearing, 36 carries, 140 yards; TE Steve Marck, 7 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD; LB Kent Kern 38 tackles; QB Cooper Rush 72-of-139 (51.8 percent), 970 yards, 6 TD, 7 int.; RB Saylor Lavallii, 87 carries, 370 yards, 3 TD; WR Titus Davis, 26 receptions, 484 yards, 4 TD; LB Justin Cherocci, 55 tackles.
Worth noting: The 6-foot-0, 231-pound Cherocci leads the MAC in tackles and with 26 tackles for losses, but he’s been the lone bright spot for a defense that allows an average of 39.4 points per game, the worst in the conference. Miami is second-worst with an average of 39.2 point allowed per game.
Pressure is on: The Miami offensive line. The RedHawks blockers must find a way to neutralize Cherocci, or at least keep him out of the backfield, where he could further disrupt an option offense that’s still trying to find a rhythm.
Edge goes to: Miami. The RedHawks are 43-21-1 all-time in MAC openers and are facing a team whose only win was at home against a Football Championship Subdivision team.
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