Miami (OH) by the Numbers:
- Location: Oxford, OH
- Enrollment: 16,500
- Stadium: Yager Stadium
- Capacity: 24,286
- 2025 Record: 7-7 (6-2 MAC)
- 2026 Record: 1-2 (0-0 MAC)
- Record over Last Three Years: 27-15
- Last Bowl: 2025 Arizona Bowl (L Fresno State 18-3)
- History: First meeting
Miami (OH) Through Three Games:
Miami (OH) has been somewhat of a mystery in 2026. Widely expected to compete with Western Michigan for the top of the MAC, they’ve gotten out to a 1-2 start, losing badly to Pitt (59-14), losing in excruciating fashion to rival Cincinnati (35-31), while beating up on an overmatched Holy Cross squad (45-7). The Redhawks were up 28-7 at the half over the Bearcats, before allowing Cincinnati to complete the comeback on a 53 yard TD run with 1:29 left. Miami (OH) QB David McComb and the Redhawks drove to the Cincinnati 33, but McComb had the ball punched out and was recovered by the Bearcats to end it.
In week one, Miami (OH) hit the road to take on Pitt at Heinz Field and were completely outmatched, getting outgained 646-289, allowing Pitt QB Mason Heintschel to throw for 453 yards on 31-41 passing with 7 TDs, while also allowing 5.4 yards per carry on the ground. Miami (OH) was just 3-13 on 3rd downs, had 9 penalties for 88 yards, and accrued just 28 yards rushing.
Miami (OH) performed much better against Cincinnati, although they were outgained 446-410, Miami (OH) had 7.3 yards per play, compared to Cincinnati’s 5.9. McComb threw for 334 yards on 17-28 passing, with one TD and one INT. The ground game struggled, rushing for just 2.7 yards per carry, led by Monmouth transfer Rodney Nelson’s 32 yards on 7 carries.
In the passing game, the Redhawks are led by Bethune-Cookman transfer Maleek Huggins’ 205 yards on 10 catches. Ohio State tranfser Damarion Witten is behind Huggins, with 184 yards on 6 catches, followed by Lynel Billups-Williams and his 149 yards on 10 catches. The pass game is the strength of this offense, throwing for 831 yards through three games, averaging 10.4 yards per attempt, with a completion percentage of 62.5%. As a team, they are 87th nationally in yards (387.7 ypg), 37th in passing yards (277.0 ypg), and 129th in rushing yards (101.7 ypg).
Defensively, Miami (OH) is led by a trio of LBs; Malcolm McClain (22 tackles), Blane Myrick (16 tackles), and Eli Coppess (12 tackles). As a team, they’ve sacked the QB five times for 26 yards, but do not have an interception forced, and have recovered a fumble twice. Nationally, they are 120th in yards allowed at 424.3, of course elevated by playing two power teams, 135th in passing yards allowed (310.0 ypg), and 55th in rushing yards allowed (114.3 ypg).
Final Analysis:
We’ve spoken at length on the SC Football Show about this game, and how it is one of the biggest challenges the Huskies will face this season. The Redhawks are a formidable team, with a strong passing game, which should match up well with the Huskies and their young secondary. Despite the improvement against Southern Miss, I’m not confident in UConn’s ability to stop the pass. However, if they can keep the Redhawks out of the end zone and force some FGs, the Huskies will be in position to win this one.
Kalieb Osborne and the offense have another opportunity to go up against a struggling defense. I anticipate a relatively high-scoring game, where each team will rack up yards, but the winner will need to prevent touchdowns. Each team has a strong front defensively, so can either team get the run game going? Right now, it would seem the team that can do that is UConn.
This is a tremendous opportunity for UConn to win against a good G6 team. They’ve proven they can beat bad ones over the past few years, it’s time to take the next step.
Visit your nearest Splash Car Wash location and use code SCWASH5 for $5 off any wash! 🚗💦
