Crush You Bookie Bad Beat Miami of Ohio 47 vs Kent State 48 Overtime Stupidity

Our bad beat of the week hits close to home for me yet again. Miami OH money line vs. Kent State really was a hell of a way to cap off a less than stellar college football gambling year. Per usual, I will do my best to keep my emotions out of the breakdown, but I can’t promise anything this time.

This game went back and forth for all four quarters. Kent State took an eight point lead into the final quarter thanks to a 50 yard run from running back Xavier Williams. The grad student went off in this one to the tune of 168 yards and two touchdowns. Both season highs. 

The Golden Flashes made it an 11 point lead after taking advantage of an interception thrown by QB Brett Gabbert. Down by two possessions with about 12 minutes remaining, the Red Hawks needed to respond in a hurry. And boy did they. Gabbert led them down to the Kent 49 on three plays. He then connected with freshman running back Kenny Tracy for a 49 yard touchdown. After the PAT, Miami was only down 3 and needed their defense to make a play.

Unfortunately, the opposite happened. QB Dustin Crum found wideout Keshunn Abram for a 70 yard touchdown. A one play touchdown drive was exactly what Miami needed to avoid. But this is the MAC, anything could happen.

Miami marched down the field in just over a minute and scored on a nine yard run from Gabbert. Now the defense really needed to make a stop. Things did not look good as Kent was able to get deep into Miami territory and eat a few minutes off the clock, as well. But the Redhawk defense was able to come up big and force a turnover on downs at their own 15 with four and a half minutes left. Down three with only a few minutes left. It was the offense’s turn to step up. 

It seemed like Miami would be able to win the game. After methodically picking apart the Kent defense, they had first and goal at the one yard line with 50 seconds left. On first down Tracy was caught behind the line for a one yard loss. Still second and goal from the two, so not a big deal. The next play Tracy was tackled for no gain to make it third and goal from the two. On third down, Gabbert dropped back and tried to hit receiver Jack Sorenson in the endzone, but the pass fell incomplete. They settled for a field goal with eight seconds left to force overtime. They had three chances to get two yards and could not score. Unbelievable.

Kent State got the ball to start the extra frame, and Miami did everything in their power to make sure they scored. After limiting them to two short gains, Miami linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was called for a 15 yard penalty for throwing a helmet. This set Kent up at the nine yardline. Miami forced a three yard loss on the first play before being flagged for pass interference in the endzone on the next play. Crum punched it in himself three plays later. 48-41.

Miami’s offense was actually able to score on the first play of their OT possession. Instead of settling for the extra point and going to double OT, Head Coach Chuck Martin decided to go for the win. Because their last goal line attempts went so well.  Gabbert dropped back and again attempted to find Sorenson for the win. The route was jumped by corner Montre Miller and the ball was deflected to the turf. 48-47, Kent State wins. 

Normally I would admire going for two to win in OT. But considering you were just stopped three times in a row on the goal line, maybe settle for the tie and take it to a second over time. The fact Miami ran four total plays from inside the three yard line, with the game on the line, and could not find a way to win really feels like a punch in the gut. This game really was the personification of my college football gambling year.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.