2024 Know Your Opponent: Miami (Ohio) RedHawks

As the 2024 Northwestern football season kicks off in just over two months, Inside NU will provide previews for all 12 teams the Wildcats will face this year, starting with Northwestern’s first opponent: the 2023 Mid-American Conference champions, the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks.

The Basics

Returning production: 74% overall (79% offense, 70% defense); Ninth in FBS

2023 record: 11-2 (7-1 MAC)

Head Coach: Chuck Martin (11th season)

The Stats

The following metrics are courtesy of Bill Connelly and ESPN. You can read more about the rankings and theory behind them here.

2024 SP+ Overall: 62nd

2024 SP+ Offense: 110th

2024 SP+ Defense: 26th

2024 SP+ Special Teams: First

2022 Capsule

After ending the 2022 campaign with a heartbreaking 24-20 loss to UAB in the Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl, the RedHawks entered the 2023 season with a chip on their shoulder. However, in their season opener, Martin’s team got off to a slow start and were blown out 38-3 in what has been labeled “The Confusion Bowl” against the Miami Hurricanes.

In their next outing, the RedHawks swiftly turned the tide and earned a 41-28 win over UMass. This victory was fueled by a spectacular performance from quarterback Brett Gabbert, who accumulated 302 passing yards and four touchdown passes, including three to wide receiver Gage Larvadain, who also hauled in eight catches for 273 receiving yards.

Following their first victory of the year, Martin’s team faced Cincinnati in a matchup that came down to the last play of the game. Despite struggling to contain the Bearcats’ running attack which rushed for 273 yards, the RedHawks managed to bring the game into overtime. Building upon his strong performance against the Minutemen, Gabbert extended his heroics in overtime, winning the game with an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joe Wilkins Jr. This brought the gunslinger’s total to three touchdown passes, 237 passing yards and 75 rushing yards for the day.

After their first two victories of the year, the RedHawks didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal. They rode the wave of their success, winning their next four games against Delaware State, Kent State, Bowling Green and Western Michigan. This impressive six-game winning streak set up a highly anticipated matchup between Miami and Toledo, the two favorites to win the MAC. The Rockets entered the game on their own six-game winning streak.

In the conference showdown, Toledo got off to a blazing hot start, jumping out to a 21-3 lead in the second quarter behind two touchdown passes from DeQuan Finn. The RedHawks’ afternoon turned into a nightmare in the third quarter when Gabbert collided with Rockets defensive tackle Judge Culpepper. This collision resulted in Gabbert missing the remainder of the year following season-ending surgery on his right leg.

Despite a fourth-quarter rally led by backup quarterback Aveon Smith, Miami fell short, losing 21-17 to the Rockets.

The next weekend, in their first outing without Gabbert, Miami took on their cross-state rival, Ohio. The RedHawks didn’t miss a beat without their starting signal-caller, as running back Rashad Amos led Martin’s team with 163 rushing yards and one touchdown, helping them secure a 30-16 victory.

Following their first victory with Smith under center, the RedHawks continued their winning ways, winning their next three games against Akron, Buffalo and Ball State. This set up a matchup between the Rockets and the RedHawks for the MAC title in the conference championship game.

The RedHawks entered the game as heavy underdogs; however, that didn’t faze Martin’s locker room, as Miami swiftly took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Toledo managed to take their first lead of the game after Finn ran in a three-yard touchdown in the third quarter. But in the fourth quarter, the RedHawks stormed back, capped off by a game-sealing 10-yard touchdown run by Amos, securing a 23-14 victory. This final score gave Miami and Martin their first MAC championship since 2019.

After their MAC title, Miami was selected to play in the Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl but endured a miserable offensive outing, losing 13-9 to Appalachian State. With Gabbert injured and Smith already transferred to Alabama A&M, Martin was forced to turn to his reserve quarterbacks, Henry Hasson and Maddox Kopp, who combined for a mere 44 passing yards.

Offensive Overview

With Gabbert expected to return as the RedHawks’ starting quarterback this season and the return of impressive second-year offensive coordinator Pat Welsh, the RedHawks’ passing attack should pick up right where it left off with Gabbert passing for 1,634 yards and 14 touchdowns before his injury. However, Gabbert will need to find a new number one target this year, as Larvadain transferred to South Carolina after leading the team with 679 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Additionally, the RedHawks lost their starting running back to the SEC, as Amos paired up with Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, aiming to replace two-time All-SEC honoree Quinshon Judkins, who transferred to Ohio State.

However, the RedHawks added Purdue transfer Dylan Downing, who is expected to lead their rushing attack. Downing demonstrated flashes of his potential during his time at Purdue.

Defensive Overview

The RedHawks were led last season by first-year defensive coordinator Bill Brechin, who had a tremendous inaugural year on Martin’s staff. In his first season at Miami, Brechin had three pass rushers reach eight or more sacks, and two of those players will return this year. Miami’s defense will be led by linebackers Ty Wise, Brian Ugwu and Matt Salopek, who led the team with 144 total tackles. However, the RedHawks lost star defensive lineman Caiden Woullard, who led the team with 9.5 sacks, to Oklahoma in the transfer portal.

Brechin’s secondary will need retooling this year as he lost his top two interception leaders in defensive backs Yahsyn McKee and Michael Dowell. He will now turn to the younger players on the roster to fill the big shoes both playmakers left on Miami’s defense.