When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Yager Stadium
Watch: ESPN+
First All-Time meeting
Miami hosts UConn on Saturday in a matchup that ESPN’s analytics predict as a complete toss-up. The RedHawks are coming off heartbreak last weekend at TQL Stadium, and the final battle for the Victory Bell. They are 1-2 with a win over Holy Cross, and losses to Cincinnati, and Pitt. UConn comes in 2-1 with wins over Lafayette and Southern Miss. They lost to Maryland in week 2 .
On offense, UConn is averaging 39.3 points per game, 9.5 yards per passing attempt, and 5 yards per rushing attempt. They average 193.7 rushing yards per game, and 443.3 total yards per contest. Miami averages 30 points, 10..4 yards per passing attempt, 3.5 yards per rushing attempt. They have leaned on the passing game a bit more, with 277 yards through the air per game to just 101 rushing. That brings them to 378 yards per game. As expected, Coach Martin’s defense will help lead the way for the RedHawks.
The quarterback play will be the deciding factor in this one. David McComb has quickly come in and taken control of the QB room with 809 yards on 46-74 passing, and 5 touchdowns to 1 interception. He has been sacked 5 times this year, which is something that the offensive line needs to do a better job of. Last week, Cincinnati had 3 sacks in their dramatic win. UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne is doing everything for the Huskies. He has 635 yards on 45-69 passing, and 6 TDs to 1 INT. He has been sacked an alarming 8 times this season. He also has 31 carries for 152 yards and 4 TDs.
Keys to the Game:
Defensive Pressure. Miami has managed just 5 sacks through three games, while UConn has surrendered 8, averaging nearly three allowed per contest. Miami’s front 7 will have to win the trenches and pressure Osborne. If they can force the issue, it’ll speed up his process, forcing quick decisions and creating turnover opportunities.
Ground game. Miami’s rushing attack has been practically non-existent.
- Lazaro Rogers leads the rushing attack with 12 carries for 71 yards and 1 TD
- D’Shawntae Jones has carried it 21 times for 67 yards and 2 TDs
- Rodney Nelson has 16 carries have resulted in 55 yards and no TDs.
- McComb has rushed 15 times for 12 yards and 2 TDs.
Play four full quarters. After last weekend’s first half, it looked like Miami was going to be triumphant in their final matchup with Cincinnati, and things looked great. However, the second half was a completely different story. Cincinnati stormed back and did just enough to grab a win. Miami has to keep the intensity up throughout the game or they will fall to 1-3 on the season.
Miami and UConn are very evenly matched up, and a turnover, long touchdown or special teams miscue could be the deciding factor. Both teams will need to value the ball and impose their will in this matchup to grab a victory.