OXFORD, Ohio (Interstat) — In a high-scoring Mid-American Conference shootout on Saturday, the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks outlasted the Eastern Michigan Eagles 44 to 30 at a rain-soaked Yager Stadium.

The game, which featured a combined 74 points, saw the Redhawks improve to 3-3 on the season while the Eagles fell to 2-5. The final score defied pregame expectations, as the total easily surpassed the over/under line of 47.5, though Eastern Michigan managed to cover the spread as 13.5-point underdogs.

Miami (Ohio) established control early with a methodical, run-heavy attack. The Redhawks opened the scoring in the first quarter, capping a 13-play, 69-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jordan Brunson. They extended their lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Dequan Finn connected with Josh Ringer on a 3-yard scoring pass.

Eastern Michigan, however, refused to go quietly. Eagles quarterback Noah Kim from Centreville, Virginia, answered with a quick-strike 51-yard touchdown pass to Harold Mack, cutting the deficit to 14-7. The Redhawks responded immediately, marching down the field with Finn hitting tight end Brian Shane for a 20-yard touchdown to push the lead back to 21-7.

The first half ended with a dramatic flurry. After a Miami (Ohio) fumble was recovered by Eastern Michigan’s Bryce Llewellyn, Kim engineered a rapid five-play, 83-yard drive in the final minute. He found Mack again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown as time expired in the half, sending the teams to the locker room with Miami (Ohio) leading 21-14.

The Redhawks reclaimed momentum in the third quarter, grinding out a 62-yard drive that Finn finished with a 1-yard touchdown run, making it 28-14. The Miami (Ohio) defense then came up with a key play as Eli Blakey intercepted a Kim pass to halt an Eastern Michigan drive.

The fourth quarter began with a bizarre sequence that ultimately put the game out of reach. After the Eagles were pinned deep in their own territory, a botched play in the end zone resulted in a safety, extending the Redhawks’ lead to 30-14. Miami (Ohio) capitalized on the ensuing free kick, with Finn scoring his second rushing touchdown of the day on a 4-yard scramble to make it 35-14.

Kim and the Eagles mounted a comeback attempt, as the quarterback hit Nick Devereaux for a 19-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion brought Eastern Michigan within 35-22. But the Redhawks sealed the victory with a powerful, clock-chewing drive, finished by D’Shawntae Jones’ 2-yard touchdown run to make it 44-22.

Kim added a final, cosmetic touchdown pass to Devereaux from 21 yards out with 54 seconds remaining for the 44-30 final. Kim finished an impressive 20 of 36 for 309 yards and four touchdowns, though he was intercepted twice and sacked three times.

The Redhawks’ offense was a model of balance and efficiency. Finn, from Detroit, Michigan, was a dual threat, completing 13 of 22 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing nine times for 58 yards and two more scores. The ground game was dominant, led by Brunson, who carried the ball 23 times for 122 yards and a touchdown. Jones added 66 rushing yards and a score on just seven carries.

Defensively, the Redhawks were led by a swarm of linebackers. Corban Hondru from McMurray, Pennsylvania, recorded a team-high seven tackles and a crucial interception. Malcolm McCain of Snellville, Georgia, added four tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hurry. The unit consistently pressured Kim and came up with timely takeaways.

For Eastern Michigan, the defensive effort was led by Barry Manning, who racked up 12 tackles, and Andrew Marshall, who contributed 11. Despite the loss, the Eagles showed resilience, with their 16-point fourth quarter underscoring the offensive firepower Kim provided.

Miami (Ohio) looks to continue its winning ways next Saturday when it hosts Western Michigan. Eastern Michigan returns home to face Ohio next Saturday, seeking to snap its two-game skid.