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2024 MAC Football Championship Game

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2024 MAC Football Championship Game
Conference championship
Ohio Bobcats Miami RedHawks
(9–3) (8–4)
38 3
Head coach: 
Tim Albin		 Head coach: 
Chuck Martin
1234 Total
Ohio 714107 38
Miami 3000 3
DateDecember 7, 2024
Season2024
StadiumFord Field
LocationDetroit, Michigan
RefereeAndrew Speciale[1]
Attendance15,478
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersAnish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
MAC Football Championship Game
 < 2023 2025 > 
2024 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Miami (OH) y   7 – 1     8 – 5  
Ohio y$   7 – 1     11 – 3  
Buffalo   6 – 2     8 – 4  
Bowling Green   6 – 2     7 – 5  
Western Michigan   5 – 3     6 – 7  
Toledo   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Illinois   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Akron   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Eastern Michigan   2 – 6     5 – 7  
Central Michigan   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Ball State   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Kent State   0 – 8     0 – 12  
Championship: Ohio 38, Miami (OH) 3
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of December 20, 2024

The 2024 MAC Football Championship Game is a college football conference championship game played on December 7, 2024, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. It was the 28th edition of the MAC Football Championship Game and determined the champion of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for the 2024 season. The game began at 12:00 p.m. EST and air on ESPN.[2][3]

For the first time, the participants were not played by division winners.[4] Following the 2023 season the MAC eliminated divisions and the game will now feature the teams with the best conference records.[5] A new tiebreaker system was established to compare teams with the same conference record.[6] For the first time since 1968, Ohio won the MAC Championship, winning 38–3. Parker Navarro won Offensive Player of the Game with 235 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 73 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Bradley Weaver was Defensive Player of the Game. Gianni Spetic hit a 53-yard field goal and won Special Teams Player of the Game.[7][8]

Venue

[edit]

The 2024 MAC title game will be held at Ford Field for the 21st consecutive season.[9][10] The venue, located in downtown Detroit at 2000 Brush St., is the home of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) and has a seating capacity for football of 65,000.[11]

Teams

[edit]

For the first time in its history, the game featured the teams with the best conference records without regard to divisions.[12] Ohio and Miami previously met as part of their Battle of the Bricks in-state rivalry in their 100th meeting on October 19, with Miami winning 30–20.[13] Both teams enter the game without having lost since the first meeting[14][15] This will be the first time the schools have played twice in the same season.[16] Entering the championship game, Miami leads the rivalry series 56–42–2.[17] Ohio has won 13 of the last 18 but Miami has won the last two.[18] In addition to the win earlier in the 2024 season, their win over Ohio during the 2023 season handed the Bobcats their second conference loss and vaulted the RedHawks to the 2023 MAC Football Championship Game where they defeated Toledo.[19][20]

Ohio

[edit]
Main article: 2024 Ohio Bobcats football team

Ohio clinched a berth by beating Ball State on November 29, 2024.[21][22] Ohio is looking for their first MAC Championship since 1968; Ohio is playing in their sixth MAC Championship Game (2006, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2022).

Ohio entered the season coming off back-to-back to win seasons and a fifth straight bowl win.[23][24] They suffered huge transfer losses in the offseason and entered the year ranked 133 out of 134 FBS teams in returning production as determined by the SP+ rankings.[25] Ohio opened the season 2–2. In non-conference play they lost to power conference opponents Syracuse and Kentucky with wins over South Alabama and Morgan State.[26][27][28][29] They opened conference play with wins over Akron and Central Michigan before losing to Miami.[30][31] Since then they have won five straight.[32][33][34]

Ohio's nine-win season was accomplished with a run-oriented offense led by dual threat quarterback Paker Navarro who won MAC offensive player of the week the last three weeks of the regular season and four times overall.[35] The rushing attack was led by Anthony Tyus who entered the game second in the MAC with 960 yards rushing. Coleman Owen was one of only two thousand-yard receivers in the conference.[36] Ohio's 394 yards per game of total offense led the MAC and their 305 yards allowed on defense was second in the conference.[37]

Miami (OH)

[edit]
Main article: 2024 Miami RedHawks football team

Miami clinched a berth by beating Bowling Green on November 29, 2024.[38][39] Miami is playing in their seventh MAC Championship Game (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2019, 2023), having previously won it four times, including in 2023; a win by Miami would make them the first repeat MAC Championship Game winner since Northern Illinois won the 2011 and 2012 games.

Miami entered the season as the defending MAC champion and preseason favorite.[40][41] Miami started slowly as they opened the season with three consecutive non-conference losses to power conference opponents Northwestern, Cincinnati and Notre Dame.[42] They then defeated Massachusetts and opened MAC play with a loss to Toledo.[43] After starting 1–4, they enter the game on a seven game winning streak.[44]

Miami wass quarterbacked by sixth year starter and first-team all-MAC quarterback Brett Gabbert.[45][46] Their offense featured the MAC's only thousand-yard rusher in Keyon Mozee.[47] Their defense led the MAC with 17.3 points allowed per game is led by returning 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Matt Salopek.[48][37]

Game summary

[edit]
Ohio Bobcats (9–3) vs Miami RedHawks (8–4)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bobcats 7 14 10738
RedHawks 3 0 003

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: Saturday December 7, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoor
  • Game attendance: 15,478
  • Referee: Andrew Speciale
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)[49][50]
  • Pregame line:Miami -2.5, O/U 43.5 • boxscore
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:53) M-OH – Dom Dzioban 29 yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 6:07; Miami 3–0)
  • (3:16) OHIO – Parker Navarro 4 yard rush, Gianni Spetic kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:37; Ohio 7–3)
Second quarter
  • (5:29) OHIO – Parker Navarro 1 yard rush, Gianni Spetic kick (Drive: 18 plays, 82 yards, 10:14; Ohio 14–3)
  • (0:52) OHIO – Mason Williams 21 yard pass from Parker Navarro, Gianni Spetic kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:27; Ohio 21–3)
Third quarter
  • (12:39) OHIO – Coleman Owen 25 yard pass from Parker Navarro, Gianni Spetic kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:21; Ohio 28–3)
  • (3:35) OHIO – Gianni Spetic 53 yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 31 yards, 6:40; Ohio 31–3)
Fourth quarter
  • (6:45) OHIO – Anthony Tyus III 21 yard rush, Gianni Spetic kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:37; Ohio 38–7)
Statistics OHIO M-OH
First downs 32 11
Plays–yards 73–467 48–189
Rushes–yards 46–232 23–62
Passing yards 235 127
Passing: comp–att–int 20–27–0 14–25–1
Time of possession 37:35 22:25
Team Category Player Statistics
Ohio Passing Parker Navarro 20/27, 235 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Anthony Tyus III 27 carries, 151 yards, TD
Receiving Coleman Owen 5 receptions, 73 yards, TD
Miami Passing Brett Gabbert 14/25, 127 yards, INT
Rushing Keyon Mozee 11 carries, 28 yards
Receiving Javon Tracy 7 receptions, 58 yards

References

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  1. ^ Austro, Ben (December 6, 2024). "Officiating crews for the 2024 college football conference championship games". FootballZebras.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "2024 MAC Football Championship". MAC. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "2024 MAC Football Championship". ESPN. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Gingerich, Troy (November 30, 2023). "MAC eliminating divisions in football beginning next season". WTOL 11. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Ramsey, Jared (November 30, 2023). "MAC to replace divisions with new system for 2024". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "MAC Announces New Football Tiebreaker Procedures". MAC. September 18, 2024. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "Ohio Wins First MAC Football Championship Game". MAC. October 8, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Ohio (10-3) vsMiami (OH) (8-5)" (PDF). MAC. October 8, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Paul, Tony (July 26, 2022). "MAC signs three-year extension to keep football title game at Ford Field". Detroit News. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  10. ^ Kelly, Kyle (November 30, 2023). "MAC signs three-year extension to keep football title game at Ford Field". FBS Schedules. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  11. ^ "About Ford Field". Ford Field. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  12. ^ Kelley, Kevin. "MAC announces new football schedule model, eliminates divisions". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "Ohio Bobcats 20, Miami (OH) Redhawks 30- Plays". CBS Sports. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  14. ^ "OHIO BOBCATS - Schedule". Fox Sports. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "MIAMI REDHAWKS - Schedule". Fox Sports. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Helwick, Steve (November 29, 2024). "2024 MAC Championship is set: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Ohio Bobcats". Hustle Belt. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  17. ^ "Winsipedia - Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Ohio Bobcats football series history". Winsipedia.
  18. ^ "Football History vs Ohio University from Oct 17, 1908 - Oct 19, 2024". Miami University Athletics. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "Miami (OH) 30, Ohio 16 - Box Score". ESPN. October 28, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  20. ^ "Miami (Ohio) beats No. 23 Toledo 23-14 to win MAC championship". CBS Sports. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  21. ^ "MAC Championship Game Scenarios: Four-Way Tie Between Bowling Green, Miami, Ohio, and Buffalo Still to Be Determined". College Football Network. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  22. ^ "Ball State 21, Ohio 42". ESPN. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  23. ^ "Reserves Hunt, Navarro lead Ohio to 41-21 victory over Georgia Southern in Myrtle Beach Bowl". WTOP.com. AP. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  24. ^ "Ohio University football game times announced". Athens News. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  25. ^ Connelly, Bill (February 5, 2024). "College football 2024 returning production rankings: 134 teams". espn.com. ESPN.
  26. ^ "Ohio (0-1 , 0-0) -VS- Syracuse (1-0 , 0-0)". Ohio University Athletics. August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  27. ^ "South Alabama (0-2 , 0-0) -VS- Ohio (1-1 , 0-0)". Ohio University Athletics. September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  28. ^ "Morgan St. (1-2 , 0-0) -VS- Ohio (2-1 , 0-0)". Ohio University Athletics. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  29. ^ "Ohio (2-2 , 0-0) -VS- Kentucky (2-2 , 0-2)". Ohio University Athletics. September 21, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "Akron (1-4 , 0-1) -VS- Ohio (3-2 , 1-0)". Ohio University Athletics. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  31. ^ "Ohio (4-2 , 2-0) -VS- Central Michigan (3-3 , 1-1)". Ohio University Athletics. October 12, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  32. ^ "2024 Ohio Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  33. ^ "Ohio Bobcats Schedule 2024". ESPN.
  34. ^ Gregorski, Keith (November 21, 2024). "2024 MAC Football Week 13 Game Recap: Ohio Bobcats 24, Toledo Rockets 7". hustlebelt.com. SBNation. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  35. ^ "MAC Announces Week 13 Football Players of the Week". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  36. ^ >"MAC College Football Stat Leaders 2024". ESPN.
  37. ^ a b "MAC College Football Stat Leaders 2024". ESPN.
  38. ^ "College Football Conference Championship Scenarios: Chaos in the Big 12, Clarity in the SEC". Action Network. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  39. ^ "Gabbert throws for 3 TDs to send Miami (Ohio) to MAC title game with 28-12 win over Bowling Green". ESPN. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  40. ^ "Miami (Ohio) beats No. 23 Toledo 23-14 to win MAC championship". CBS Sports. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  41. ^ Beaven, Michael (July 19, 2024). "Mid-American Conference football media day: Miami picked by coaches to win MAC title". beaconjournal.com. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  42. ^ "Miami (OH) RedHawks Schedule 2024". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  43. ^ "2024 Football Schedule". miamiredhawks.com. Miami University Athletics. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  44. ^ "Miami Shuts Down BGSU 28-12 to Earn Trip to Detroit". Miami Athletics. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  45. ^ "Brett Gabbert College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  46. ^ "MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  47. ^ Barral, Kevin (November 29, 2024). "MAC Football Championship Set Between Miami RedHawks and Ohio Bobcats". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  48. ^ "MAC Announces 2023 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". Mid-American Conference.
  49. ^ "College Football TV Schedule: Week 15, 2024". 506sports.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  50. ^ "ESPN College Football Commentator Assignments". espnpressroom.com. ESPN. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
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