by The Miami RedHawks and Toledo Rockets faced off in an exciting 2023 MAC Championship rematch, reigniting the intensity of their matchups from the previous year. With Miami looking to improve to 2-3 and Toledo looking to improve to 4-1, both teams came into the game with a lot on the line but Toledo remained in control to secure the victory.
First Quarter
Toledo struck first as Tucker Gleason punched in a rushing touchdown to give the Rockets a 7-0 lead. After a Miami (OH) punt, Toledo blocked the RedHawks’ punt and recovered the ball on Miami’s 15-yard line. Gleason quickly capitalized, connecting with wide receiver Jerjuan Newton for a touchdown to extend the Rockets’ lead to 14-0.
With Brett Gabbert finding Johnson and McDonald for key first downs, Miami tried to respond, moving the ball into Toledo’s red zone. However, Gabbert was forced to throw the ball away after an offside penalty on Toledo set up a 3rd-and-4. Miami settled for a field goal, cutting the deficit to 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Toledo opened the second quarter driving deep into Miami territory, thanks to an unnecessary roughness penalty on the RedHawks’ defense. However, as the Rockets reached the 8-yard line, Tucker Gleason’s pass was deflected and intercepted by Miami, halting the drive. The RedHawks couldn’t capitalize, going three-and-out on their next possession.
Toledo quickly regained momentum with a deep pass from Gleason to Jerjuan Newton, moving into the red zone. Miami’s defense stepped up, forcing Toledo to settle for a field goal, extending the Rockets’ lead to 17-3.
The Red Hawks answered with a deep pass from Brett Gabbert to Virgil, setting up a red zone appearance of their own. Unable to find the end zone, Miami kicked a field goal to make it 17-6.
Just before halftime, Toledo threatened again as Gleason found Newton for a first down. However, Gleason’s next pass was picked off by Miami’s defense with just over a minute remaining. Miami went three-and-out, giving Toledo another shot before the break. Shortly after, a would-be touchdown pass was ruled incomplete, and the Rockets tacked on a 48-yard field goal to close the half with a 20-6 lead over the RedHawks.
Third Quarter
Toledo opened the third quarter stringing together consecutive first down passes. Tucker Gleason then connected on a spectacular one-handed grab by wide receiver Jaden Dottin, putting the Rockets at Miami’s 30-yard line. The drive ended in a field goal, stretching Toledo’s lead to 23-6.
Miami’s offense continued to struggle, unable to gain any traction, and was forced to punt. Toledo responded with a 15-yard pass to Jerjuan Newton but eventually had to punt as well. In a sequence of back-and-forth punts, Miami finally caught a break, taking over at Toledo’s 39-yard line. Capitalizing on the excellent field position, Brett Gabbert found Kevin Davis for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 23-13 late in the third quarter as Toledo held onto their lead.
Fourth Quarter
Toledo opened the final quarter with a big reception by Zsiros, followed by a powerful run from running back Connor Walendzak, putting the Rockets in the red zone. Tucker Gleason capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Torres, extending Toledo’s lead to 30-13.
Miami responded with urgency, driving down to Toledo’s 25-yard line. Brett Gabbert found Cade Macdonald for a clutch first down, placing the RedHawks at Toledo’s 3-yard line. Gabbert then connected with J. Tracy for a touchdown, cutting Toledo’s lead to 30-20 with just under six minutes remaining.
The RedHawks’ defense stepped up, forcing Toledo to punt on a 4th and 12. Gabbert took advantage of soft coverage from the Rockets, hitting Tracy four times to move deep into the red zone. A costly unnecessary roughness penalty on Toledo set Miami up even closer, but Gabbert’s comeback attempt ended when his pass was intercepted by Toledo’s Braden Awls, sealing a 30-20 victory for the Rockets.
