Miami Redhawks Athletics
The Miami RedHawks return to Yager Stadium this Saturday for football alumni weekend, looking to steady themselves after an 0-2 start. Standing in their way is a red-hot UNLV team riding momentum into Oxford for the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPNU.
A Tough Opening Stretch
Miami’s schedule has done them no favors. The RedHawks opened with a 17-0 loss at Wisconsin, followed by a 45-17 setback at Rutgers. In both games, quarterback Dequan Finn showed flashes of his dual-threat ability—throwing for 251 yards and rushing for 85 more against Rutgers—but turnovers and inconsistent protection have kept Miami from finishing drives.
Wideout Keith Reynolds emerged as a bright spot last week, hauling in seven passes for 120 yards. Fellow receiver Kam Perry added four catches for 108, giving the RedHawks the downfield threat they’ll need to loosen up defenses moving forward.
Defensively, Miami was much more sound in the opener at Wisconsin than at Rutgers. Linebacker Jackson Kuwatch set a career high with 11 tackles and his first career sack against the Scarlet Knights, while veteran defensive backs Eli Blakey and Silas Walters remain the anchors of a unit that has been tested early.
Scouting the Rebels
UNLV comes in at 3-0 after wins over Idaho State, Sam Houston, and UCLA. The Rebels average more than 35 points per game, led by quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who has already thrown for 647 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Jai’Den Thomas powers the ground game at 91 yards per contest with four rushing scores. Defensively, Jake Pope leads the team with 22 tackles.
This is a balanced Rebels squad capable of striking quickly through the air or wearing teams down on the ground. They’ve also forced turnovers—posting a +5 margin through three games—something Miami must avoid after giving the ball away three times in its first two outings.
Why This Matters
For Miami, this game is about more than just halting a winless start. Since 2018, the RedHawks are 26-5 at home, and they’ll need that Yager Stadium edge with conference play looming next week. Head coach Chuck Martin has built his program on resilience—Miami has often started slow due to difficult schedules but found its stride in MAC play. A statement performance here could reset the tone for 2025.
What to Watch
- Dequan Finn vs. UNLV’s Secondary: Miami’s veteran quarterback has the experience to exploit mismatches but needs to protect the football.
- Explosive Plays from Reynolds and Perry: Both proved they can stretch the field; big gains could flip momentum.
- Miami’s Front Seven vs. Jai’Den Thomas: If the RedHawks can slow down UNLV’s ground attack, they can make Colandrea one-dimensional.
- Turnover Battle: Miami sits at -2, while UNLV thrives on takeaways. Winning this stat is critical.
The Bottom Line
This matchup shapes up as one of the best Group of Five non-conference games on the calendar. UNLV has the confidence of an unbeaten start, while Miami has the urgency of a team looking to find its footing. If the RedHawks can pair Finn’s playmaking with cleaner execution and the home-field advantage that’s served them well, they’ll have a real shot at flipping the script on their season.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
