Scouting Report | Miami (OH)
It’s hard to believe that former Notre Dame assistant Chuck Martin has been at Miami (OH) for a decade, but he’s now in his 11th season there. His 10th was his best with them winning 11 games as MAC champions.
They went 11-3 last season. That might be a lot harder to pull off this fall because they are staring at a potential 0-3 start, but a lot of that has to do with scheduling. They are about to face their third power conference program and the projected 2024 MAC champions were competitive in both of their losses.
They were right there with Northwestern all game and had some costly mistakes that allowed Cincinnati to beat them last week.
In some ways, Miami (OH) is similar to Northern Illinois because of the experience they have returning on both sides of the ball. There are also some key differences that line up pretty well for the Irish in this matchup.
This is a well coached team who will come into this game very prepared, but might not have the right pieces to pull off what NIU was able to. They are 93rd in F+ (combined FEI and SP+ rankings).
Offense
Martin has several coaches with Notre Dame connections on his staff. Offensive coordinator Pat Welsh was a graduate assistant in Martin’s final two years in South Bend. When Martin left, Welsh went with him and has been on Martin’s staff since then and the last two seasons he’s been the offensive coordinator.
He’s someone who has adapted based on his personnel and in the first two games they’ve been mostly an 11 personnel offense (one back, one tight end) and throwing the football close to 65% of the time (5th in country). That’s a stark contrast to last season when they ran the ball after their quarterback went out with a season-ending injury and threw the ball only 39.2% of the time (124th).
They’ve struggled to score points so far against tougher competition and have only managed 22 points in two games. They’re 126th in OF+ and have a very difficult matchup with Notre Dame’s defense this week.
Expected Strengths
In quarterback Brett Gabbert, they have a quarterback returning who has been through it all. He’s battled back from multiple injuries and is the rare quarterback still in college football who started games back in 2019.
He’s thrown 61 career touchdowns to only 18 interceptions and eight of those were in his first season. He’s a good decision-maker from the pocket, which is a big reason why they are 39th in passing success rate.
They had four explosives in the passing game vs Cincinnati of 30+ yards. They came into the season looking for receivers to emerge and they’ve found a legitimate number one target in slot receiver Cade McDonald. He and Gabbert have had a great connection to kick off the season and might be the top quarterback-receiver combination in the MAC.
Potential Weaknesses
Offensive line continuity was supposed to be a strength and it might be when they get into their conference schedule, but the line has not played particularly well despite returning four starters.
They’ve allowed seven sacks in the first two games and are 100th in sack percentage, 108th in havoc rate against, and Gabbert has been pressured on 32.9% of his dropbacks despite only being blitzed less than 10% of the time. They have the collective 10th worst pass block grade in the FBS according to PFF.
They have been anemic running the football as well. They averaged 1.7 yards per carry vs Northwestern and 1.3 vs Cincinnati. They’re 116th in EPA per rush. Not all of that is on the line, though. They haven’t found a replacement for RB Rashod Amos (transfer to Ole Miss) and he had over 800 yards more than the next leading rusher. One of the top candidates to replace him was RB Kenny Tracy and he’s done for the season with an injury.
They also haven’t found consistent options after McDonald. WR Gage Larvadain (transfer to South Carolina) was their leading receiver in 2023 and so far they haven’t found anyone who can replace him.
They have been in a ton of long yardage situations and are currently 118th in 3rd and 4th down success rate. 3rd and long is a horrible spot to be in against Notre Dame’s defense.
This wasn’t a juggernaut of an offense last season. They averaged 25.1 points per game vs FBS competition when Gabbert was healthy. They have more questions on offense than they did a year ago and don’t look very capable of putting big points on the board.
Personnel notes
#5 QB Brett Gabbert
- 6-0 210
- 7th year
- had 2022 and 2023 seasons cut short with injuries
- ‘22 wa shoulder, ‘23 was broken leg
- 1st team All-MAC in preseason
- 8.6 YPA, 13 TDs vs 5 INTs
- accurate passer, 59% completion hurt by 18 drops in ‘23
- top-10 in the nation in ADOT
- 6.1 YPA and two INTS vs Northwestern
- Martin on Gabbert “As tough as any player I’ve been around”
- 0 for 5 on deep shots vs NW
- has been a frequent scrambler in the past, but not this season vs zone coverage
- NW and Cincy have dropped and played coverage against him, only been blitzed on 9.8% of dropbacks
- 50.5% completions vs the blitz over the last 3 seasons, but 8.6 YPA
- 62.5% completions, 7.9 YPA, 2 TDs vs 3 picks this season
- can put some zip on his throws, typically good decision maker
- threw the ball away six times this season
#12 Henry Hesson
- 6-2 197
- Started the bowl game, only attempted 8 passes in rainy game
- got in six plays when the game was out of hands vs Cincinnati
- scrambled twice
#6 RB Jordan Brunson
- 6-0 233
- 8 for 33 vs Northwestern, no carries vs Cincinnati
- originally started at Virginia Tech
- 11.43 100m in HS
- broke a 57 yard run against Delaware St in ‘23
#3 RB Keyon Mozee
- 5-7 187
- originally started at Kansas St
- 6 for 11 vs Northwestern
- 4.43 40, 3.88 short shuttle, 39.3 vert in HS
- make you miss in the hole, but not strong
- 21 for 171 vs NW in 2021 with long of 66
- had a 78-yard reception vs Oklahoma in ‘20
- 13 for 24 this season, has had no space to work with
- zero targets so far in the passing game
#8 RB/slot Kevin Davis
- 5-9 170
- 15 catches last season
- 9 catches in first two games
- aligned in the slot 51.3% of the time
-slippery after the catch
- 3 rushes for 14 yards vs Cincinnati
#2 RB Dylan Downing
- 6-0 228
- Purdue transfer, started at UNLV
- 4.4 YPC in ‘23, 190 career carries
- 3 for 14 rushing, 3 for 14 receiving vs NW
- led the RBs in snaps vs NW
- 4.71 40, 4.28 short shuttle, 34.9 vert at 218 in HS
- 375 4.0 YPC and 4 TDs in ‘22 at Purdue
- not a ton of juice to break away
- 113 vs FAU in ‘22
- 4.2 yards after contact this season
#15 WR Cade McDonald
- 5-11 200
- originally at Michigan State
- 3rd leading receiver in ‘23
- Caught 8 of 9 targets for 105 vs NW
- 8 for 135 and a TD vs Cincinnati
- 5 drops last season
- 11 flat 100m in HS
- 88% aligned in the slot
- 20 targets leads the team
- 51 yard reception on deep ball vs Cincinnati
#0 WR Reggie Virgil
- 6-4 190
- targeted him deep on 3 of 8 targets vs NW
- 58-yard touchdown on post route vs Cincinnati
- caught 6 of 13 targets, 0 for 2 on contested catches
- 11.5 100m in HS
- long strider with some juice
#11 WR Javon Tracy
- 6-0 206
- 22 catches, 15.8 per reception in ‘23
- 1 for 13 vs NW
- caught 3 of 7 targets this season, didn’t connect on the deep ball twice
- played QB in HS
#10 WR Kamryn Perry
- 5-9 165
- Indiana transfer
- jitterbug slot receiver
- 5 snaps this season
#1 WR Andre Johnson
- 6-4 215
- Arizona State transfer
- 32 career catches in 4 years
- caught two of five targets for 18 yards
#82 WR Lynel Billups-Williams
- 5-9 179
- 10.97 100m in high school
- 1 snap this season
#89 TE Jack Coldrion
- 6-5 258 - 6th year
- missed 13 games in ‘23 season with knee injury
- 2 for 20 vs NW
- career high 24 catches in 2022
- 5 for 46 this season
- above average run blocker
#85 TE Preston Daniel
- 6-4 246
- originally at Florida State
- 2nd TE, 13 of 15 snaps have been as a blocker
- struggled in his role in first two games
#4 FB/TE Connor Briggs
- 6-2 257
- SE Louisiana transfer
- 80% blocking snaps at previous school
- caught 5 career passes in five years
- 9 snaps this season, 8 as a run blocker
- 5 snaps as a fullback
#56 RT Ried Holskey
- 6-6 306
- 1st team All-MAC in preseason, multi-year starter
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- the best player for them up front, can get movement in the run game
- improved in pass pro
#70 LT Will Jados
- 6-8 307
- 1st team All-MAC in preseason, multi-year starter
- has surprisingly struggled in first two games, allowed 9 pressures
- considered an NFL prospect heading into the season
#78 OT Drew Terrill
- 6-6 280
- stepped in for one snap at RT in week 1
- 37 snaps as a TE last season
- missed the Cincinnati game with an injury
#51 LT Eric Smith
- 6-6 299
- brought in as a TE to block for one snap vs Cincinnati
#71 LG John Young
- 6-6 324
- originally went to Kentucky
- played both guard spots last season
- all-state in shot put in HS
- allowed 3 pressures vs Cincy, had a tough time vs DT Dontay Corleone
#77 C Charlie Nank
- 6-4 316
- new starter, 36 snaps at center in ‘23
- has been solid in first two games
#64 RG Kolby Borders
- 6-6 316
- moved from center last season
- started at RG in ‘22
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- allowed 5 pressures and a sack vs NW
- bad pass pro grades from PFF every season
Key for Notre Dame
Make them go away from McDonald
Stopping the run and getting them into long yardage situations goes without saying. If Notre Dame does that, Miami (OH) will be in a tough spot all day.
Making Gabbert look to someone else other than McDonald might make it impossible for them to find any kind of consistency. He’s caught 80% of the targets thrown his way in the first two weeks. No other wide receiver is above 47%.
Defense
It was the defense that carried them to a MAC title in 2023. They allowed 11.3 points per game in their final 10 and have some key pieces returning that helped them achieve that.
Defensive coordinator Bill Brechin has taken them from 82nd to 66th to 12th in SP+ since he took over in 2022. They were 16th in yards per play, ninth in third down defense, six in red zone touchdown percentage, and I can keep going.
16th in EPA (expected points added) per rush and fourth in pressure percentage and eighth in sack percentage means they were great in just about every category last season.
They have had a few issues to start this season, but it's still a well-coached group that plays really well within the scheme. They play hard and have given the team a chance to win their first two games.
They’re 43rd in DF+ and though they were a heavy zone coverage team last season, they’ve played more man to start this season with a cornerback duo that is very solid.
Expected Strengths
It’s a very experienced front seven with proven playmakers. There’s a few of them who could have moved on to Power 4 programs if they wanted to and could eventually play on Sundays as well. They aren’t busts from this group and mental mistakes are very rare.
That’s one of the reasons why they are 25th in points per Eckel (scoring opportunities) and have only three touchdowns on six trips to the red zone by Northwestern and Cincinnati. They are replacing some key pieces in the secondary, but haven’t missed a beat so far. They have only allowed four passing plays of 20+ yards and one of 30+ yards.
Opposing quarterbacks are averaging 5.8 yards per attempt in the first two games. They pressured Cincinnati’s QB on 40.5% of his dropbacks and though they might not have anyone who is truly dominant as a pass rusher, they have some players with motors that won’t quit if the ball isn’t out when it’s supposed to be.
Potential Weaknesses
It’s a bit shocking that they have the 3rd worst PFF run defense grade right now, but the tackling was a major problem against Cincinnati. They are third last in tackling grade and had 24 missed tackles last week.
That poor tackling led to some big runs from Cincinnati’s backs. They gave up a 40 and 60-yard run. If they aren’t tackling better against Notre Dame’s run game, their backfield will do the same against them.
They don’t blitz very often and they are missing edge Caiden Woullard (transferred to Oklahoma) from last season. He was maybe the best pass rusher in the MAC and they haven’t done enough to disrupt the quarterback with him gone. They are 125th in havoc rate.
Personnel notes
#8 Edge Brian Ugwu
- 6-3 256
- originally started at Rutgers
- 12 TFLs in ‘23, 64 total pressures
- 22.7% win rate vs TPS
- 11 pressures vs Toledo in MAC Championship game
- six pressures vs NW, 2 TFLs vs Northwestern
- play RB in HS, high motor kid
- would start for most Power 4 programs
#20 Edge Adam Trick
- 6-4 242
- started vs NW
- converted LB
- just a guy
#94 Edge Josh Lukusa
- 6-4 257
- rotation player, 2 pressures vs NW
- plus pass rusher, 24.3% win rate vs true pass sets in ‘23
#52 DT Nasir Washington
- 6-4 269
- rotation player last season
- started first two games at 3T
- undersized, but gets after it
#96 DT Kobe Hilton
- 6-3 254
- multi-year starter
- plays hard, but underwhelming pass rusher
#0 DT Savio Frazier
- 6-0 290
- Mercer transfer
- started 23 games there
- had 3 pressures vs NW
#92 DT Roosevelt Andrews
- 6-2 264
- RS in ‘23
- undersized 3T, 21 snaps in first two weeks
#11 DT/DE Corey Suttle
- 6-4 278
- originally at Iowa State
- started four games and six sacks in ‘22
- 4.51 short shuttle, 29.4 vert in HS
- started week 2 vs Cincy
#10 LB Ty Wise
- 6-2 249
- All-MAC
- originally started at Indiana
- 122 tackles, 15 havoc plays, 28 pressures in ‘23
- line him up off the edge to rush the passer, over 150 pass rush snaps each of last 2 seasons
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- 4.44 short shuttle, 28.7 vert in HS
- leads team with 3 TFLs
- good first step
#15 LB Matt Salopek
- 6-1 230
- All-MAC, Defensive Player of the year in ‘23
- legit NFL prospect
- 143 tackles, 11.5 havoc plays vs ‘23
- 3 straight seasons of 100+ tackles
- 19 tackles in first two games
- high football IQ, instinctive
#23 LB Oscar McWood
- 6-1 216
- nickel backer
- 5 missed tackles vs Cincy
- doesn’t get isolated in man, but just ok in coverage
#12 LB Corban Hondru
- 6-1 227
- 2 INTs last season
- good speed, can close quickly
- 52 snaps in first two games as 3rd ILB
#16 S Eli Blakey
- 6-2 214
- 4.65 40 in HS
- big games vs Kentucky and Northwestern in 2022
#29 S Silas Walters
- 6-1 198
- led the country in special teams tackles in ‘23
- banged up in the Cincinnati game
- same HS program as Ben Minich and Taebron Bennie-Powell
- intelligent and responsible in coverage
- missed three tackles vs Cincy
- has been their primary slot defender
#19 S Ambe Caldwell
- 6-1 212
- 4.74 40, 4.31 short shuttle, 34.9 vert in HS
- role has decreased over last two seasons, 15 snaps in two weeks
- struggles to find the football in coverage
#24 S Mychal Yarborough
- 6-2 199
- 4 game RS in ‘23
- 29 snaps vs Cincy was highest of his career
#13 CB Raion Strader
- 6-0 182
- 15.5 havoc plays as a freshman
- 3 PBUs in first two games
- very good tackler last season, but took a couple of bad angles in first two games
- their top cover guy
- only gave up 2 TDs all of last season, both vs Toledo
- allowed 40.7% completions in man coverage last season
#5 CB Luke Evans
- 6-2 186
- Miss St transfer
- 11.25 100m in HS -
started vs Cincinnati, missed 3 tackles
- played well in man coverage vs Cincy
#14 CB Caleb Tubbs
- 6-1 184
- 16 snaps vs NW, 0 vs Cincy
- 48 snaps in his career
- gave up an explosive in week 1
#3 CB Williams Hardrick
- 6-1 160
- started out at Miss St
- was out for the Cincinnati game
- 3rd CB, 20 snaps in week 1
- 147 career snaps
- willing tackler despite size
Key for Notre Dame
Make them tackle and look for YAC
When a team tackles that bad the previous week, the offense better make them prove they can tackle better this week. Force their defensive backs and nickel defenders to tackle on the perimeter and look for big play opportunities through yards after the catch.
Special Teams
The special teams was outstanding last season, but they are replacing their kicker (transferred to Alabama) and their special teams coach (now at Pitt). They blocked six kicks last season.
With Martin, I’d still expect them to be very good all-around on special teams. McDonald is the punt returner and finished 10th in return average last season. Davis the kick returner and though he hasn’t made a splash yet this season, his 23.5 per return average was solid.
Personnel notes
#31 K Dom Dzioban
- 6-1 208
- 2 for 3 vs NW, long of 43
- missed from 50
- missed the ‘23 season with an injury
- was previously the punter for Miami in ‘22, 42.4 average
- 3 of 4 on kicks this season, missed beyond 50
#35 P Alec Bevelheimer
- 6-3 213
- preseason All-American
- 43.1 net punting average was tied for seventh in the country
- 28 kicks downed inside the 20 last season
- 42.4 per punt in first two games
Men's Under Armour Navy Notre Dame Fighting Irish Classic Adjustable Hat
