By Garin Turner
The Miami (OH) RedHawks (7-5, 6-2 MAC) take on the (8-4, 7-1 MAC) Western Michigan Broncos Saturday December 6, at noon EST on ESPN for the MAC Championship.
What’s at stake (besides the MAC Championship)
The winner of the game will play in the GameAbove Sports Bowl (formerly known as the Quick Lane Bowl against a Big Ten opponent. It could be against Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, or Penn State this year. Whoever comes up on the wrong end of the scoreboard will likely end up in the Salute to Veterans Bowl, Bahamas Bowl, Arizona Bowl, or the Famous
Idaho Potato Bowl as those are the MAC affiliations. There’s always the possibility of other bowls based on matchups and availability.
The RedHawks got off to a rough start this year losing their first three games before turning it around with a five-game winning streak including a 26-17 victory over Western Michigan. They then lost their next two before finishing the regular season with two wins. This will be Miami (OH) eighth appearance in the MAC Championship (4-3, last won 2023).
For Western Michigan it was much of the same, losing their first three before winning its next four. After the loss to Miami (OH), the Broncos are riding a four-game winning streak. This will be Western Michigan’s fifth appearance (1-2-1, last won 2016).
First game
Western Michigan held a 17-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter when the RedHawks scored 17 unanswered points to come away with the win. For Miami (OH), DeQuan Finn threw for 260 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 11 times for 52 yards and a score. Kamryn Perry had four catches for 98 yards and Cole Weaver added nine catches for 96 yards.
Broc Lowry threw for 172 yards and a touchdown for Western Michigan. He was the leading rusher as well, carrying 20 times for 82 yards. Talique Williams had five catches for 71 yards and a score.
Keys to the game
How aggressive will Western Michigan be? The Broncos turned the ball over on downs three times.
Can Miami (OH) convert better on third down? The RedHawks went 4/12.
Western Michigan Team Leaders
Passing: Broc Lowry, 1,572 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
Rushing: Broc Lowry, 174 carries for 875 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Receiving: Tailique Williams, 35 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns.
Miami (OH) Team Leaders
Passing: DeQuan Finn, 1,451 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
Rushing: Jordan Brunson, 141 carries for 665 yards and three touchdowns.
Receiving: Kamryn Perry, 35 catches for 865 yards and six touchdowns.
Prediction
Western Michigan wins this one 17-10.
