APSU traveled to Oxford, Ohio, where they took on the Miami RedHawks in a losing effort, falling 31-10 on Saturday, Sept. 9.
APSU entered the game, still searching for a way to shake off the nation’s longest active losing streak, which is now at an absimal 29 games.
This was the second week in a row APSU was able to hold its opposition to less than 300 total yards of offense. Although the team allowed 31 points, the defense looked stout as they racked up four sacks and forced three turnovers.
The RedHawks scored the game’s first points as the team methodically strolled down the field on a 15-play 60-yard drive. The drive ended as Gus Ragland found Kenny Young for the five-yard score, leaving a 7-0 hole for APSU.
APSU seemed undaunted. The team struck back almost immediately, cruising 71 yards down the field in just five plays. JaVaughn Craig used his feet to help find the end zone on a 22-yard scamper, knotting the score up at 7-7 to end the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter the RedHawks found the end zone again on a drive that took half the plays and a third of the time as their previous one. They found the end zone in just eight plays. Ragland threw his second touchdown of the day, this time finding James Gardner on a 42-yard connection.
The Govs would not answer back, and just five minutes later the RedHawks were on the board again. Ragland found Gardner again, this time for 34-yards and the touchdown.
APSU would not score again in the first half, but would recover a fumble, stopping the opposing offense from creating a bigger deficit. APSU went into the half trailing 21-7.
The third quarter belonged to APSU as the team put the RedHawks into -1 yards for the quarter and recovered another fumble.
After the fumble the team was able to put points on the board following a 37-yard Cole Phillips field goal. The ReadHawks lead 21-10 at the end of third quarter.
An APSU fumble in the fourth led Miami to another long drive and a score, as the team held the ball for five minutes and scored after Leonard Ross punched the ball into the end zone on a one-yard carry. The RedHawks led 28-10 with just 7:54 left.
The RedHawks later added on a field goal, taking the 31-10 victory.
APSU played well, accumulating 270 yards of offense. Craig finished with 129 yards of total offense and the only touchdown of the day, but left the game in the first half and did not return.
Gunnar Scholato finished with 11 tackles, a forced fumble and also recovered a fumble.
APSU comes home to Clarksville for their next game, hosting Morehead State in their home opener. The game will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16 in Fortera Stadium.
