Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.
McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst
TV/STREAM: ESPN+
RADIO: WMUA 91.1, WHMP 101.5 FM & 1400 AM; Varsity Network app
SERIES: Miami (Ohio) leads, 5-1
LAST MEETING: Miami (Ohio) 23, UMass 20 (OT), Sept. 28, 2024
UMass gets its first opportunity to respond to a loss this season when Miami (Ohio) visits McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday.
The Minutemen are 4-1 after last week’s 38-14 loss to Eastern Michigan, while the RedHawks enter at 2-3 following a narrow defeat to Bowling Green. Despite Miami’s losing record, UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak believes the RedHawks could be the most talented team his squad has faced.
Miami has played a challenging schedule, opening with a loss at Pittsburgh before defeating Holy Cross, falling to Cincinnati and beating UConn. The RedHawks dropped their MAC opener last week, 24-20, against Bowling Green.
UMass is also coming off its first conference loss after starting 4-0, including a win over Sacramento State in its MAC opener.
Harasymiak isn’t putting much stock in Miami’s record.
“I’m willing to say the most talented team that we’ve played so far as an overall product,” he said.
Head Coach: Chuck Martin
Chuck Martin is in his 13th season at Miami and has established the RedHawks as one of the MAC’s most consistent programs.
Martin has a 74-77 record at Miami and a 148-84 career record that includes six seasons at Grand Valley State, where he went 74-7 and won two Division II national championships.
He is Miami’s winningest head coach and the longest-tenured active coach in the MAC.
Under Martin, the RedHawks have reached the MAC Championship Game in each of the last three seasons and earned six consecutive bowl appearances.
Martin previously worked at Notre Dame, serving as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator before becoming the Fighting Irish’s offensive coordinator under Brian Kelly.
Harasymiak recognizes the program Martin has built.
“They’ve played for the MAC title the last three years,” Harasymiak said. “They’ve been to six straight bowl games.”
Miami has already demonstrated an ability to compete with quality opponents this season, pushing Cincinnati in a 35-31 loss and defeating UConn 24-21.
The consistency of Martin’s program is one reason Harasymiak isn’t overlooking the RedHawks.
Miami (Ohio) Offense
Miami enters Saturday averaging 26.8 points and 371.2 yards per game, including 271 passing yards and 100.2 rushing yards.
Those season averages don’t fully reflect the offense UMass will face this weekend.
The RedHawks have lost their top two quarterbacks to season-ending injuries, leaving Caleb Heavner to take over the offense.
Thomas Gotkowski suffered his injury during fall camp, while David McComb was lost during Miami’s victory over UConn. McComb had provided much of Miami’s early offensive production, completing 65 of 103 passes for 1,121 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.
Heavner made his first career start against Bowling Green last Saturday and has completed 24 of 33 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception this season.
The former Fort Hays State quarterback brings experience from the Division II level, but the transition has forced Miami to adjust its offensive approach in the middle of the season.
The RedHawks haven’t been particularly productive on the ground.
Miami is averaging just 100.2 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. The running game has struggled to provide consistent support for the passing attack.
Rodney Nelson leads Miami with 154 yards on 44 carries, while Lazaro Rogers has rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts. D’Shawntae Jones has added 72 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, while Heavner has contributed 60 rushing yards on 22 attempts.
Miami has been considerably more dangerous through the air.
Damarion Witten leads the RedHawks with 274 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 12 catches, averaging 22.8 yards per reception. Lynel Billups-Williams leads the team with 19 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns, while Maleek Huggins has caught 14 passes for 262 yards and a score.
Those three have combined for 801 receiving yards, providing Miami with multiple downfield threats.
Braylon Isom has added 10 receptions for 153 yards, while Scoop Smith has 14 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Miami has converted 15 of its 16 red-zone opportunities into points, although only nine have resulted in touchdowns.
The RedHawks have been productive through the air when they’ve had consistent quarterback play, making the adjustment to Heavner one of the most important developments in their season.
Matchup To Watch: Caleb Heavner vs. UMass’ Defense
UMass enters Saturday allowing 17.8 points and 308.8 total yards per game.
The Minutemen lead the MAC in scoring defense and rushing defense, allowing just 98.2 yards per game on the ground.
Those numbers took a hit against Eastern Michigan, which scored 38 points and took control of the game during the third quarter.
Harasymiak has emphasized the need for an immediate response, particularly after the Minutemen struggled to recover from a series of mistakes early in the second half.
Miami’s quarterback injuries could give UMass an opportunity to make things difficult for an offense still adjusting to a new starter.
The Minutemen have forced 11 turnovers through five games, including six interceptions and five fumble recoveries. Their plus-eight turnover margin is among the best in the country.
Jahmad Harmon leads UMass with three interceptions, while Timmy Hinspeter is among the team’s leading tacklers.
With Miami struggling to run the football consistently, UMass should have opportunities to put Heavner in passing situations.
The challenge will be taking advantage without allowing the RedHawks to generate explosive plays or establish a rhythm through quick throws.
Witten and Huggins are both averaging more than 18 yards per reception, making them threats to turn individual completions into significant gains.
If the Minutemen can control the running game and force Heavner to operate under pressure, they should have an opportunity to dictate how Miami attacks offensively.
Miami (Ohio) Defense
Miami has struggled defensively through five games, allowing 29.2 points and more than 400 yards per game.
The biggest problems have come against the pass.
Opponents are averaging 290 passing yards per game against the RedHawks, compared with approximately 110 rushing yards.
The defense has surrendered 13 passing touchdowns while producing just one interception. That imbalance has created difficulties for a Miami program that has traditionally relied on strong defensive play under Martin.
The RedHawks are led by defensive coordinator Bill Brechin, whose units have been a significant part of Miami’s recent success.
But Martin acknowledged this week that the defense hasn’t performed to the standard the program expects, particularly in passing situations and on third down.
“Our pass defense overall has to improve,” Martin said.
He identified several areas that need work, including the pass rush, man coverage and zone coverage. Miami has also struggled to get off the field in important situations.
“Our third down defense has really, really let us down,” Martin said.
Those problems were evident against Bowling Green, when the RedHawks were unable to protect a late lead.
Linebacker Malcolm McCain leads Miami with 39 tackles, including 17 solo stops. Blayne Myrick has added 24 tackles, while defensive back Dillon Tatum has 23. CJ Young has recorded 20 tackles and owns Miami’s lone interception, which he returned 16 yards.
Grant Lyons and Tyler Dikos have each recorded two sacks. Lyons also has a forced fumble, while Roosevelt Andrews III has contributed 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
In the secondary, Kaleb Martin has 17 tackles, while Eli Coppess has 14 tackles and three passes defended.
Amariyun Knighten has recorded four passes defended and a fumble recovery.
Miami has eight sacks through five games, but the pass rush hasn’t consistently prevented opponents from producing through the air.
Martin has made it clear that improvements will need to come from both the front and the secondary.
Matchup To Watch: Pop Watson III vs. Miami’s Pass Defense
UMass quarterback Pop Watson III enters Saturday having completed 74 percent of his passes for 820 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
Watson has also rushed for 167 yards and four touchdowns, giving the Minutemen a dimension Miami will have to account for on every snap.
The matchup appears favorable for UMass on paper. Miami is allowing 290 passing yards per game, while Martin has openly acknowledged the RedHawks’ difficulty getting off the field on third down.
Watson’s ability to extend plays and create opportunities with his legs could complicate Miami’s efforts to improve in those areas.
T.Y. Harding has emerged as UMass’ leading receiving threat with 19 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Harding has also scored as a runner and punt returner, making him one of the most versatile players on the roster.
UMass is averaging 31.8 points and 343.2 total yards per game, with a rushing attack producing 177 yards per contest.
Curtis Kimmons IV leads the Minutemen with 262 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Elijah Faulkner has added 246 yards.
The offensive line has also been a strength, allowing just three sacks through five games. That protection could be particularly important against a Miami defense looking for ways to generate more pressure.
UMass doesn’t necessarily need Watson to throw for 300 yards to exploit the matchup.
If the Minutemen can establish their running game, remain ahead of the chains and give Watson opportunities to attack favorable coverage, they should be able to move the football.
The bigger question may be whether UMass can avoid the mistakes that contributed to last week’s loss. The Minutemen had been efficient and opportunistic during their unbeaten start, but Eastern Michigan forced them out of that rhythm.
Getting back to that approach will be critical against a Miami defense that has struggled but still features experienced personnel.
Special Teams
Miami has a dangerous special teams weapon in Scoop Smith.
Smith blocked a punt against Holy Cross and returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati. He also caught a touchdown pass against UConn, demonstrating his ability to contribute in multiple phases.
The RedHawks are averaging 27.6 yards per kickoff return, giving them an opportunity to generate favorable field position even when the offense struggles.
Kellan McLaughlin has made six of his 10 field-goal attempts this season and is a perfect 15-for-15 on extra points.
McLaughlin is 2-for-5 from 40 to 49 yards, with a season long of 41 yards. He made all four of his field-goal attempts against Bowling Green last weekend.
Brady Stidham has also converted his lone field-goal attempt, giving Miami a combined seven makes in 11 attempts.
UMass has been particularly dangerous in the punt-return game.
The Minutemen are averaging 29.8 yards per punt return, a figure that ranks among the best in the country.
Harding has been the driving force behind that production, including an 82-yard touchdown return.
Special teams could be an important factor in a game featuring two teams coming off disappointing conference losses.
For Miami, generating field position could help an offense adjusting to its third quarterback.
For UMass, another explosive return could provide a spark as the Minutemen try to regain the momentum they established during their 4-0 start.
Bottom Line
UMass and Miami enter Saturday in different positions, but both are facing an important test.
The Minutemen are trying to prove their 4-0 start was more representative of their identity than last week’s loss to Eastern Michigan. Miami is trying to overcome significant quarterback injuries and defensive struggles while maintaining the standard Martin has established over more than a decade.
The RedHawks have played for three consecutive MAC championships and have the experience of a program accustomed to competing near the top of the conference.
But UMass has been the more productive team on both sides of the ball through five games. The Minutemen are averaging 31.8 points while allowing 17.8. Miami is scoring 26.8 and allowing 29.2.
UMass also has a significant advantage in turnover margin, entering Saturday at plus-eight compared with Miami’s even mark. Those advantages won’t matter much if the Minutemen repeat the mistakes that allowed Eastern Michigan to take control last weekend.
Harasymiak made the message clear after reviewing that loss with his team.
“I think response is the theme this week,” he said.
The Minutemen have an opportunity to demonstrate that response at home against one of the MAC’s most established programs.
And with both teams trying to recover from conference losses, the result could have implications beyond simply getting back into the win column.
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