The Miami Hurricanes are gearing up for the 2023 college football season with high hopes of rebounding from a 5-7 season, boasting a roster now filled with 42 new additions, which features promising freshmen and impact transfers. As they prepare to face the Miami of Ohio Redhawks in their season opener at Hard Rock Stadium, let’s take a closer look at the team the Hurricanes will be facing tonight.
Quarterback
Guiding the Redhawks’ offense is quarterback Brett Gabbert. Gabbert, standing at 6-feet and weighing 205-pounds, is known for his adept execution of Miami of Ohio’s offensive strategy. Despite his limited playing time in 2022 due to a shoulder injury, Gabbert’s 2021 season earned him the distinction of a third-team All-MAC selection. During that standout year, he threw for 2,648 yards, tallying 26 touchdowns, showcasing his prowess as an aggressive downfield passer.
Running Back
In the backfield, Keyon Mozee emerges as a pivotal playmaker. Standing at just 5-foot-7 and weighing 184-pounds, Mozee defies his size with remarkable dynamism while handling the ball. Commencing his college career at Kansas State in 2020, Mozee’s versatility shone through in the past two seasons. Accumulating 1,027 yards with six touchdowns, he exhibited an impressive yards-after-contact average of 3.06 in 2022, underscoring his ability to evade tackles and churn out essential yards.
Wide Receiver
The Redhawks’ receiving corps boasts seasoned players who bring a multifaceted approach to the passing game. Miles Marshall, an Indiana transfer, towers at 6-foot-4 and weighs 212-pounds, providing a formidable presence on the perimeter. In the 2022 season, Marshall hauled in 24 passes, accumulating 390 yards and securing two touchdowns. His knack for winning contested catches bolsters the Redhawks’ aerial assault.
Joe Wilkins, a former Notre Dame standout, is poised to assume a significant role in 2023. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 190-pounds, Wilkins brings invaluable experience from his tenure at Notre Dame, amassing 370 offensive snaps and 11 receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
Gage Larvadain, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, is projected to serve as Miami of Ohio’s slot receiver in 2023. Despite his relatively diminutive stature at 5-foot-10 and 165-pounds, Larvadain compensates with rapidity and agility, rendering him a dynamic threat in the passing game.
Tight End
Jack Coldiron, a tight end standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 251-pounds, offers a versatile dimension to the Redhawks’ offense. Over the past two seasons, Coldiron has showcased his dexterity in both the passing game and as a run blocker. His statistics speak volumes, with 40 receptions amassing 479 yards and two touchdowns. Furthermore, his proficiency as a run blocker significantly bolsters the Redhawks’ ground attack.
Offensive Line
Leading the offensive line is Reid Holskey, a steadfast presence at right tackle for Miami of Ohio. With over 800 offensive snaps logged in each of the past two seasons, Holskey brings a wealth of experience and unwavering consistency to the unit. Although he allowed 24 pressures and three sacks in the 2022 season, his leadership and resilience make him an indispensable component of the Redhawks’ offensive front.
Defensive Line
The Redhawks field an imposing defensive end unit, renowned for their capacity to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. The trio of Ben Ugwu, Corey Suttle, and Caiden Woullard forms the nucleus of this disruptive force. In the 2022 season, they collectively accumulated impressive statistics, including tackles for loss, sacks, and consistent pressure on quarterbacks.
Ben Ugwu, a towering figure at 6-foot-3 and 250-pounds, proved to be particularly impactful. He tallied 43 tackles, notched ten tackles for loss, recorded five sacks, and secured one interception. His proficiency in pressuring quarterbacks was evident through 31 credited quarterback pressures.
Corey Suttle, a transfer from Iowa State, led the Redhawks with six sacks in the 2022 season. Additionally, he contributed 31 tackles and secured one interception, showcasing his ability to influence both the pass rush and run defense. At 6-foot-4 and 261-pounds, Suttle’s imposing presence renders him a versatile defensive end.
Caiden Woullard, another forceful figure at 6-foot-5 and 252-pounds, concluded the 2022 season with 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, and three pass deflections. His capacity to generate quarterback pressures proved instrumental to the Redhawks’ defensive scheme.
Linebacker
Matthew Salopek, a linebacker measuring 6-foot-1 and weighing 230-pounds, orchestrates the defensive maneuvers for Miami of Ohio. His 2022 season highlighted his remarkable tackling ability, proficiency in coverage, and prowess as a blitzer. By generating 12 pressures across 44 pass-rushing snaps, Salopek emerged as a versatile and consistently influential force on defense. His impressive 2022 stat line encompasses 124 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
Defensive Back
The safety position emerges as a stronghold within the Redhawks’ secondary. Michael Dowell, a physical nickel back, stands at 6-foot-1 and 220-pounds. In the 2022 season, Dowell made significant contributions with 97 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and six pass deflections. His adaptability and consistency render him a pivotal player capable of impacting both run defense and pass coverage.
Jacquez Warren, stationed as a free safety, stands at 6-feet and weighs 191-pounds. His leadership within the defense materialized through 63 tackles and two interceptions during the 2022 season. Warren’s role was instrumental in constraining explosive plays and mitigating yards gained after the catch.
Special Teams
The Redhawks bolster their special teams with reliable specialists. Kicker Graham Nicholson, boasting an 18-of-23 success rate in field goals during 2022, and punter Dom Dzioban, averaging 42.4 yards per punt, return to fortify Miami of Ohio’s special teams. Notably, the Redhawks excelled in net punting during the 2022 season, ranking 33rd nationwide.
