Drew Bellisari shines in Miami debut, leads 34-17 comeback win over Ohio

Backs against the wall in the MAC race, the Miami RedHawks (6-4, 4-2 MAC) found a way to keep their title hopes alive by shutting out their bitter rival Ohio Bobcats out in the second half, 20-0, to send the crowd home happy. In the process, Ohio (7-3, 5-1 MAC) lost their first MAC game of the year, opening up the conference title race.

The contest looked like Ohio was going to walk away with the win in a laugher, with the visitors largely dominating the first half action. Ohio started each of the first two quarters with a touchdown; their first quarter score the best of the night on a crisp eight-play, 75-yard drive for a 7-0 lead. Key on the drive were back-to-back runs, a 16-yard scamper by running back Duncan Brune and a 19-yarder from wideout Preston Bowman. The 'Cats ultimately hit paydirt on a eight-yard pass from quarterback Nick Poulos to wideout Riley Neer.

The teams traded punts leading to Ohio's second touchdown, with Miami notably off the mark on a golden opportunity for points in between Bobcat scores. Late in the first quarter, at the Ohio 46-yard line, the RedHawks went against tendency when wideout Scoop Smith– instead of running around end, pulled up an uncorked a bomb to a wide-open receiver in Maleek Huggins but the throw was off the mark.

Ohio responded in the second quarter by capping a scoring drive in line with their usual gritty operation this season to take a 14-0 lead. The 'Cats moved 49 yards in 10 plays, overcoming multiple missed opportunities and self-inflicted wounds to ultimately score. Key to the success was two runs by Poulos for a total of 26 yards and two fourth down conversions-the second by Brune for the one-yard rushing touchdown.

Ohio continued to pour it on, moving 70-yards to set up backup kicker Brack Peacock's 22-yard field goal for a 17-0 lead.

Meanwhile, to that point, the 'Cats played stellar team defense for the first half, befuddling the RedHawks offense by forcing five straight punts, including four straight three-and-out drives.

On its last possession of the half, Miami cashed in to reduce the deficit to 17-7. With fourth-team quarterback Drew Bellisari in for an injured Caleb Heavner, Miami moved the ball quickly on two passes from Bellisari to wideout Braylon Isom for 30 yards. Miami went to the well again on a Scoop Smith trick play pass, and this time it was filled with water, as Smith's jump pass to Maleek Huggins was completed this time for a 15-yard touchdown.

There were a lot of plays before and after Ohio's last drive of the first half, but the outcome did as much as anything to seal the Bobcats' fate.

As Ohio had done throughout the second quarter, the moved the ball well, driving into the redzone with a few seconds remaining. Looking to extend their lead at the halftime break, Ohio trotted out Brack Peacock once again for a 34-yard field goal attempt– one which clanged off the upright, no good.

Ohio got a reprieve, however, when Miami was flagged on an unsportsmanlike conduct call for scoreboard interference. On the field goal miss, the Miami scoreboard operator showed an image of multiple field goal posts while the kick was in progress, an illegal maneuver which forced a retry.

Ohio tried to take advantage, calling a fake field goal on what would have been a 20-yard attempt. Punter/holder Magnus Haines uncorked a beautiful throw to an eligible defensive end in Evan Herrmann, who was uncovered in the endzone, but Herrmann dropped the pass, allowing Miami to dodge a major bullet.

The second half started with some punts, but Miami slowly chipped away at the deficit and ultimately took command late in the fourth. Ohio players like Poulos displayed incredible toughness but the RedHawks controlled the action, dominating the trenches to shut the Bobcats offense down with four punts, a fumble recovered by Miami and an interception to seal the deal.

Bellisari, a true freshman, got things rolling to bring the score to 17-14 on a scoring drive set up by a 21-yard pass to Lynel Billups-Williams and a 31-yard run, allowing halfback D'Shawntae Jones to cross the goal lien from one yard out.

The RedHawks tied the game and took the lead for the first time late in the fourth quarter, as new placekicker Brady Stidham (in for the benched Kellan McLaughlin) connected on two field goals, from 36 and 22 yards for a 20-17 advantage.

Ohio moved the ball for a few plays on a drive late in the fourth but ultimately fumbled on a fourth-down collision at the sticks where linebacker Malcom McCain collided with Ohio's quarterback to jar the ball lose. McCain would eventually recover the fumble, gifting the ball back to the offense.

The wheels fell of the wagon completely for Ohio on the next play, when the RedHawks' running back Jones gashed the visitors for a 48-yard scamper for score and a 27-17 lead. Defensive back Amariyun Knighten buried the Bobcats on the last score of the night on a 58-yard interception return touchdown, putting the final score at 34-17.

Bellisari's stellar night helped lead a 34-point comeback campaign for Miami, with the true freshman from Columbus, Ohio finishing with 99 yards on 8-of-15 passing and an additional 64 rushing yards on three carries.

The running game did the heavy lifting, with D'Shawntae Jones' 115 yards and two touchdowns pacing the RedHawks offense. Maleek Huggins (three catches, 61 yards, TD) led the receivers, with fellow receiver Scoop Smith notching a touchdown pass in the effort.

Malcolm McCain played the hero once again for the Miami defense, clinching a second MAC win with a turnover play. He finished with the team lead in tackles (12) and also notched a tackle-for-loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Grant Lyons had two sacks, while Amariyun Knighten had a pick-six and two pass break-ups.

Brady Stidham hit both field goals in his first start for the RedHawks, while previous placekicker Kellan McLaughlin handled kickoff duties.

For Ohio, they struggled for air in the second half, getting shut out. The RedHawks defense forced Nick Poulos to win the game on his own late, and the senior finished 20-of-39 for 193 yards, a touchdown and a pick through the air and 68 yards and a lost fumble on the ground. Duncan Brune was second on the team in rushing (47 yards, TD) while Riley Neer (six catches, 75 yards, TD) led Ohio in receiving.

Darren James-Hamilton and Michael Molnar both led Ohio in tackles (eight) and each had a TFL, with Molnar also claiming a sack. DJ Walker recovered a fumble to aid the Bobcat effort.

Brack Peacock filled in once again for the injured Will Hryszko, making his lone field goal attempt.

Both squads suit up again next Tuesday to keep their title hopes alive, as Ohio hosts Ball State while Miami travels to Kent State.