by The defending MAC Champion Toledo Rockets (11-1) make the trip back to Detroit as the MAC East champion Miami (OH) RedHawks (10-2) look to take the MAC title back to Oxford.
Miami wins the day and brings home a MAC title for the first time since 2019 with a score of 23-14 against the Toledo Rockets. Special teams was the deciding factor for Miami with multiple big returns, three blocked kicks, and an excellent punting game that pinned Toledo within their own ten yard line. Aveon Smith won offensive player of the game, Matt Salopek won defensive player of the game, while Graham Nicholson won specialist of the game.
The Miami RedHawks started off fast thanks to a 36-yard return from Keyon Mazee, Miami stayed with the script and drove right into the redzone of the Rockets. Chunk plays from Rashad Amos and a solid passing attack from the arm of Aveon Smith put Miami in striking distance from the endzone. Smith looked to make a play with his feet as all his receivers were covered, that’s when star pass rusher Judge Culpepper earned a sack to limit Miami to just a field goal.
Toledo had a solid drive of their own, Jacquez Stuart led the rushing attack to get his Rockets into positive territory and a fresh set of downs whenever the Rockets needed it. Dequan Finn was rushed out of the pocket and stripped of the ball as Kobe Hilton of the RedHawks recovers.
Toledo failed to even up the game, Miami continued to keep their foot on the peddle and increase their lead. Smith led his team but needed the help of a targeting call after stalling out in the redzone. This targeting call resulted in a fresh set of downs on the goal line, it also saw Judge Culpepper disqualified from the rest of the game. This was a big loss for the Rockets as Miami scored right away giving the RedHawks a ten point lead.
Toledo’s offense appeared sluggish the whole first half as they had a field goal attempt that was blocked and then recovered by Miami. Toledo would not get their first points until the last moments of the half. The Rockets scored two touchdowns that were called back, on the third try Finn connected with Torres. The extra point was blocked by Miami, this like the plays before were called back as Toledo attempted a two point conversion that saw Finn connect with Torres to bring the Rockets within two as they would receive the ball at halftime.
Despite Toledo getting the ball to start the half they failed to move the ball, Miami drove down the field and extended their small lead with a field goal. This RedHawks lead didn’t last for long as Finn led his Rockets down the field and took the lead after running one in himself to take the first lead of the game for Toledo.
Miami struggled to get into the endzone, despite not being able to score six they got in field goal range to take the lead from the Rockets, with only one quarter to play at this point in the ball game the RedHawks planned to drain the clock and walking home with a MAC Championship.
As Toledo’s offense struggled to get anything going it was Aveon Smith who used his legs to set up Rashad Amos for a MAC title sealing touchdown. Toledo kicked a field goal that would have put the Rockets in striking distance, Miami blocked another field goal attempt. Toledo recovered and got a first down but could not score and was stopped three downs later after an interception.
