The Arizona Bowl created a great environment for the fans in attendance. With Snoop Dogg on the mic and so many events, this was one big party. However, once the game started, the party was clearly over for the Colorado State Rams. Things went south after scoring a field goal on their first drive. Despite having plenty of starters playing, they were thoroughly outclassed by the RedHawks. With a final score of 43-17, the route was on in the second half. Getting as bad as 29-3, the Rams were their own worst enemy. With countless turnovers and failed fourth downs, the Rams looked unprepared for this bowl game. However, despite the blowout, the atmosphere of the game was a huge success. In brief, this was a great time for all the fans, Snoop Dogg should be proud of his Arizona Bowl and his impact.
Miami (OH) Downs Colorado State 43-17
Miscues for the Rams
After their first drive, the Rams looked shell-shocked. The next three drives resulted in a turnover. Unfortunately, their fifth drive of the game was a turnover on downs. Luckily for them, the defense was standing tall, and the halftime score was only 9-3. Coming out of the half, things didn’t improve for this offense. The first two drives out of the gate were a fumble and a turnover on downs. A potent offense all season, this was an embarrassingly bad performance. Head Coach Jay Norvell did not appear to have his squad ready to go in their first bowl game of his tenure. Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi did throw for 321 yards, but he had two costly interceptions. Spacing the ball out, no single receiver had a big impact on the outcome.
Ending on a High Note
For the Miami (OH) RedHawks, the Arizona Bowl was a great way to end a successful season in the MAC Conference. After recovering from a 1-4 start, Miami (OH) went on a run. The RedHawks finished the regular season with an 8-4 record. Unfortunately, they came up short in the MAC championship. So, this was a much-needed morale boost to end the year.
Quarterback Brett Gabbert finished with 184 yards through the air. In addition, he scored a rushing touchdown in his farewell game. After an up-and-down career, he will forever be remembered by RedHawks fans for his grit and longevity. Senior running back Kevin Davis had quite the game on the ground. Entering this matchup, he only had 183 yards on the season. However, he burst onto the scene with 148 yards rushing and two touchdowns. A real statement win for Chuck Martin, the RedHawks proved that they are in the top class of Group of Five teams.
Unprepared?
Unfortunately, the Colorado State Rams seemed unprepared early on. That is a reflection of the coaching staff. They limped to the finish line and lost two of the last three. This was expected to be a close game, but there were too many miscues. Colorado State was able to move the ball early. However, they kept shooting themselves in the foot. Despite the stingy first half, the Rams’ defense was blown apart in the second half. The Rams have plenty of returning production, all hope is not lost. This was a harsh ending to an otherwise impressive season for Norvell and his group. They should be ready to go next season, as they make another push towards the Mountain West Championship.
Making a Statement
As discussed above, the RedHawks made a real statement in the Arizona Bowl. Written off after getting dismantled in the MAC Championship, they could have easily packed up shop. A real testament to the culture of this program, they came to play in the final game of their season. Even after the loss of receiver Reggie Virgil to the transfer portal, the passing game was working all day long. With Gabbert spreading the ball out, eight different players caught a pass. This was a RedHawks team with high expectations for this season, and they were punched in the mouth early. After their 1-4 record they finished 8-1 down the stretch. With Gabbert moving on after a prolific career, the next season will look much different. However, RedHawks fans have learned to trust Martin, and they know they will be competitive again next year.
Final Thoughts
Boy, was this prediction wrong. Two solid eight-win teams, of course, it was expected for this one to be much closer. Despite scoring first, the Rams were embarrassed off the field by the RedHawks. This was a game of two programs looking to end on a high note. Each with a disappointing loss at the end of the year, the cultures of both programs were tested.
It is safe to say that Miami (OH) showed no signs of quitting. Putting up nearly 50 points, this was an impressive bounce back after their MAC Championship loss. In a competitive first half, the Rams made too many mistakes to compete in the game. This unique environment was a nice atmosphere for everyone involved. Certainly, a success for Snoop Dogg, look for him to continue to be the partner for this bowl game. Above all, congratulations to the Miami (OH) RedHawks for an impressive 9-4 season.
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