Miami of Ohio forced four turnovers and Kevin Davis scored on an Arizona Bowl-record 97-yard run in a 43-17 victory over Colorado State on Saturday at Tucson, Ariz.
Miami (9-5) won its first bowl since 2021 after losing the last two years in the postseason. Colorado State (8-5), making its first bowl appearance since 2017, has lost five consecutive bowl games.
“I just want to congratulate Miami. They did what they normally do. They played a very similar game that they’ve played all year,” Rams coach Jay Norvell said. “We talked a lot about what we had to do to win this game and we didn’t execute what we needed to do. We talked about we wanted to run the ball effectively, we wanted to play field position and we didn’t want to turn the ball over and we didn’t do any of those things.”
Davis finished with 148 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns to earn game MVP honors.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Davis said. “It doesn’t even feel real. The biggest thing about it is (that) I get to do it with the guys I love. I’ve been here for five years … so just going out in a way like that (with) the guys that have been through it all for the past few years.”
Brett Gabbert, playing the last game of his six-year career at Miami, completed 13 of 25 passes for 184 yards.
Colorado State freshman running back Justin Marshall gained 84 yards on nine carries. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was 23 of 45 for 321 yards and a touchdown for the Rams with two interceptions.
The teams combined for 48 points in the second half after Miami led 9-3 at halftime. The RedHawks took the opening drive of the second half 75 yards on six plays in only 2:25 to build a 16-3 lead.
Davis’ 4-yard TD run capped the drive, which included Gabbert completing a 40-yard pass to Kam Perry.
A fumble by Colorado State’s Vince Brown II, following a reception, allowed Miami to take possession at its 47 with 12:23 left in the third quarter. Gabbert scored five plays later on a 10-yard run to increase the lead to 22-3.
Colorado State was stopped on downs at the Miami 3, when Avery Morrow was tackled by Ambe’ Caldwell on a 1-yard gain. Davis followed with his 97-yard run on the next play for a 209-3 lead with 6:45 left in the third quarter.
Colorado State cut its deficit to 29-10 when Fowler-Nicolosi completed a 56-yard touchdown pass Stephon Daily on a fourth down.
The Rams were driving again when Fowler-Nicolosi threw an interception that was returned 54 yards by Ty Wise to the Colorado State 5. Jordan Brunson scored on a 2-yard run to increase the lead to 36-10 and put the game out of reach with 13:30 left.
–Field Level Media
