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Home > Blogs > RedHawk rumblings | Miami University sports news > Archives > 2008 > August > 28
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Some final notes
Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson rushed for a career-high 166 yards on 20 carries in his team’s 34-13 victory, leading the Commodores to their biggest road win since 1991. The last time a Miami team gave up more than 34 points in an opener was 1978, a 38-14 loss to Ball State.
Early to rise: Thursday’s game equaled the earliest start to a season in the 121-year history of Miami football. The RedHawks also opened the 2004 season on Aug. 28, beating Indiana State 49-0 at Yager Stadium.
Bad start: The 17 first-quarter points Miami allowed were the most in an opening quarter since the RedHawks surrendered 18 in a 42-14 loss to Bowling Green on Nov. 16, 2005.
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Miami adds 3
After a big three-and-out by the Miami defense, the RedHawks drive for a 29-yard field goal by Nathan Parseghian.
On third down at the Vanderbilt 12, Miami did a good job of picking up a blitz, but quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh threw behind receiver Eugene Harris. Raudabaugh is 11-of-26 for 141 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown.
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Strange stats
At halftime, Miami has more first downs than Vanderbilt (9-7) and more passing yards (107-79).
But the Commodores lead in the only stat that matters, the score — 27-10.
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Commodores settle for 3
Vanderbilt stalls at the 15, so the Commodores settle for a Bryant Hahnfeldt 32-yard field goal that gives them a 27-10 lead with 14 seconds remaining in the first half.
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Vandy looking for dagger
Leading 24-10 with time running out in the first half, Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson rambles 35 yards down the right sideline to give the Commodores a first down at the Miami 22 with a little more than a minute remaining in the second quarter.
The rush puts Nickson over the 100-yard mark with 102.
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Dumb penalty by Vandy, but Miami can’t capitalize
In danger of falling behind by more than 14 points they already trail by, the RedHawks catch a break when Vanderbilt gets caught with 12 men on the field on a Miami punt on fourth-and-5.
But the RedHawks can’t do much with the break. Quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh is sacked on first down, and and they’re called for holding on second down, setting up second-and-29 at their own 26 with 2:49 left in the half. Another holding call follows, and this half can’t end soon enough for the RedHawks.
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So much for momentum
One play after Miami cuts the deficit to 17-10, Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson runs 59 yards to the RedHawk 7. After running back Jeff Jennings loses 7 yards on the next play, Nickson goes 14 yards around left end for a touchdown that puts the Commodores up 14-10 with 5:33 left in the half.
Nickson rushed for 73 yards on that 66-yard drive.
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Raudabaugh answers
Miami quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh shakes off his two early interceptions and hits Eugene Harris with a 30-yard touchdown pass that cuts the Vanderbilt lead to 17-10 with 6:58 remaining in the first half.
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Beltin’ out the Belton?
After another interception by Miami quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh, you have to wonder how long it’s going to be before the MU student section starts screaming for Clay Belton, the strong-armed lefty from Northmont.
It’s been a less-than-stellar start for Raudabaugh. In addition to the two picks, he also held on to the ball too long on a third down play, resulting in a sack that took the RedHawks out of field goal range.
Raudabaugh and the RedHawks are driving in Vanderbilt territory, with a first down at the 45 with 9 minutes left in the first half. They need some sort of score here to get back a little of the momentum that Vandy stole with 17 unanswered points in the first quarter.
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Bad decision, bad coverage, bad results
Miami quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh held the ball too long on a third-and-7 play at the Vanderbilt 37-yard line, resulting in a 5-yard sack that took the RedHawks out of field goal range.
Commodores punt returner D.J. Moore fields Jake Richardson’s punt at the 8-yard line and returns it 91 yards to the Miami 1 for the second longest punt return in Vanderbilt history. It led to a 1-yard plunge by Chris Nickson that puts the Commodores on top 17-3 with 11 seconds left in the opening quarter.
Moore has set up 10 of the Commodores’ 17 points. His interception earlier in quarter led to Bryant Hahnfeldt’s 42-yard field goal.
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Miami defense holds
Vanderbilt is unable to do much with the gift interception, settling for a 42-yard field goal by Bryant Hahnfeldt.
The kick gives the Commodores a 10-3 lead with 6:23 left in the first quarter.
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Vanderbilt threatening again
One play after surrendering the lead, the RedHawks turn the ball over to Vanderbilt when Daniel Raudabaugh’s pass bounces off the hands of Eugene Harris and goes right to the Commodores’ D.J. Moore.
The interception sets up Vandy with a first-and-goal at the MU 19-yard line.
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Vanderbilt answers
Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson hit wideout Sean Walker with a 49-yard bomb down to the Miami 1, and two plays later the pair hooked up again on a 4-yard touchdown pass to put the visiting Commodores up 7-3 with 8:01 left in the first quarter.
The drive covered 71 yards in 8 plays and ate 3:02 off the clock.
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Miami D rises up
It didn’t take long for the Miami defense to come up with the first turnover of the season as junior free safety Jordan Gafford put his helmet right on the ball while tackling Vanderbilt running back Jeff Jennings. The shot popped the ball into the air, and senior linebacker Joey Hudson fell on it at the Commodores 42-yard line.
Five plays later, MU kicker Nathan Parseghian converted the turnover into a 37-yard field goal, giving the RedHawks an early 3-0 lead with 11:08 remaining in the first quarter.
