After being labeled as underdogs against the defending champion Toledo Rockets, the Miami Redhawks claimed the 2023 MAC championship on Saturday afternoon with 23-14 victory. The win marks the Redhawks' first league title since 2019.
Miami improve to 11-2 on the season, their best record since they won 13 games in 2003. Toledo also finish 11-2 with the loss, still with a bowl game to play.
Here's what stood out from the championship performance from Chuck Martin's group.
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Aveon Smith Gets It Done
Smith had a difficult task in the later part of the season, assuming the starting role in place of the injured Brett Gabbert. However, he led the Redhawks to five straight victories since Gabbert went down in a loss to toledo on October 21.
The South Carolina native played well again in the championship game, completing six passes for 109 yards and rushing 21 times for 99 yards. That included a 50-yard run that Smith broke off on Miami's final scoring drive of the night. Smith was named the Offensive MVP of the game.
Running back Rashad Amos also made a substantial contribution to the ground game, reaching the end zone twice and accumulating 74 yards on 15 carries.
Critical Special Teams Play
In a game as close as this one, success and failure on special teams made a significant difference.
For Miami, kicker and Lou Groza Award finalist Graham Nicholson tied the FBS record for most consecutive field goals made, but missed one, and his chance to have sole possession of the record. His three field goals and two extra points helped give his team an edge. Redhawks punter Alec Bevelhimer also had an impressive night, putting four of his six punts on Saturday inside the opposing 20-yard line.
On the other side, Toledo junior Luke Pawlak had just about the worst day possible. Pawlak missed two field goals and his only extra point attempt of the day. Toledo punter Emilio Duran also put just one of his eight punts inside the 20.
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Defense And Penalties
Neither team played mistake-free football. Miami was flagged eight times for 84 yards while Toledo was flagged nine times for 91 yards.
Both defenses played fairly well, allowing just four third down conversions each.
Miami linebacker Matt Salopek was named Defensive MVP of the game.
Both teams will find out their bowl fate on Sunday afternoon when the next set of College Football Playoff rankings are released.
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