Rutgers Football - Miami (OH) Game Preview

by Nathan Thompson September 6, 2025

The Rutgers Football team returns to the gridiron for Week 2 of the 2025 college football season to take on the RedHawks of Miami (OH). The RedHawks are led by 12th year head coach Chuck Martin. Who has been the head man in Oxford since 2014. Miami (OH) is coming off of a 17-0 shutout loss to fellow Big Ten foe Wisconsin, where they were not able to make anything happen on the offensive side of the ball. While their defense did keep it close for most of the game, it wasn’t enough to hold onto the Badgers.

Key Players for Rutgers:

RB Antwan Raymond - The Sophomore running back looks to take charge of the rushing game this week alongside CJ Campbell after rushing for 87 yards on 14 carries last week. It is likely offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca will utilize his rushing attack more this week.
LB Moses Walker - After a promising strong performance last week from the senior linebacker, leading the defense in tackles and tackles for loss, with 13 total and 2 for loss, it is expected that this is the turning point in Walker’s campaign as a solidified starter.

S Jett Elad - The seventh year senior safety transfer from UNLV had a decent first game as a Scarlet Knight, but the feeling is his presence will be felt more in this next game. It is only a matter of time before Elad makes a big play that can change the momentum of a game for Rutgers, and this could be the one.

Key Players for Miami (OH):

QB DeQuan Finn - Seventh year senior quarterback DeQuan Finn begins his final season of his college football career, but his first at Miami (OH). He played his first five seasons at Toledo, before moving over to Baylor for the 2024 season. In his first game as a RedHawk, Finn was only able to complete 9 passes for 83 yards, and 2 interceptions. Finn will be another rushing threat, just like last week with Parker Navarro.
LB Adam Trick - The senior linebacker continued what he left off from last season as the anchor of the RedHawks’ defense by getting 2.0 sacks against Wisconsin last week, following a 2024 campaign where he totaled 4.5 sacks. The Rutgers offensive line must ensure Trick does not come close to touching Athan Kaliamanis.
S Silas Walters - The fifth year senior strong safety had himself a great first game last week, picking off Wisconsin quarterback Danny O’Neil, as well as deflecting 2 passes in the game. The veteran leader of Miami’s defense looks to continue his play this week against Rutgers.

Series History:

Rutgers and Miami (OH) will meet up against each other for the first time ever this Saturday. Despite the RedHawks competing in the FBS since 1962, the Scarlet Knights have never faced them.

Wrap Up:

Rutgers hopes this time facing another MAC team from the state of Ohio won’t be as stressful as the first. Miami (OH) was on the losing end of Ohio’s 2024 MAC Championship last season, but unlike the Bobcats, they don’t return as much production from their 9-5 team. They’re offensive struggles were exposed by Wisconsin last week, and Rutgers should be able to outscore the RedHawks with ease. With rain expected in the forecast of the second half of the game, it could mean more of a rushing type of game style. The Rutgers defense hopes to pick up their game and not make as many mistakes as they did last week.