The UAB Blazers are heading to the Bahamas Bowl for the second time in the past six seasons. The Blazers are slated to play Miami of Ohio on December 16, with kickoff slated for 10:30 a.m. CT at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, The Bahamas.
The following is a first glance at the Miami RedHawks.
Record: 6-6 overall; 4-4 MAC
Coach: Chuck Martin (Ninth season at Miami, 15th season overall: 45-58 at Miami; 119-65 overall)
Best win: The RedHawks scored 12 points in the fourth quarter of the regular season finale to beat Ball State, 18-17, this past Saturday. The teams were playing for bowl eligibility, and Miami found a way to win. The winning points came on a 34-yard pass from Aveon Smith to Miles Marshall with 1:42 left.
Worst loss: Miami had less than 200 yards of offense in a 17-13 loss at Bowling Green on October 15.
Offense: Quarterback Brett Gabbert hurt his shoulder in the season-opening loss to Kentucky, came back to play in three more games and announced on Sunday that he entered the transfer portal. Redshirt freshman Aveon Smith is the team leader in passing and rushing. He’s thrown for 1,137 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Redshirt senior receiver Mac Hippenhammer has 52 catches for 726 yards with eight touchdowns. Running back Keyon Mozee, a 5-foot-7, 179-pound sophomore, has 455 yards and two touchdowns.
Defense: The RedHawks have a pair of linebackers with 100-plus tackles. Sixth-year senior Ryan McWood (6-foot-2, 221 pounds) has 121 tackles and redshirt sophomore Matthew Salopek (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) has 109 tackles. The RedHawks have 26 sacks, with 6-foot-4, 261-pound redshirt sophomore Corey Suttle (six sacks) and 6-foot-3, 246-pound junior Brian Ugwu (five sacks) leading the way. Miami has 10 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
Bowl history: Miami is making its 14th bowl appearance, including three in a row during full seasons. The RedHawks are 8-5 in bowl games with a 27-14 win over Conference USA member North Texas in the Frisco Football Classic last year.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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