OXFORD , OH – A decade from now, veteran Miami RedHawks fans may still talk about “The Catch.” Remembering just who made that catch may be a little more difficult, because the guy on the receiving end can be as reserved and unassuming as former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco (formerly Johnson) was flashy.
“The Catch” was a fourth down and 20 yards game–saving reception in last year’s MAC Championship game. Quarterback Austin Boucher’s fourth down pass in the game’s final minutes was tipped by a defender. Givens, however, made a catch good for 31 yards as he went across the middle. That kept the RedHawks hopes alive, and a couple plays later Miami scored the winning touchdown on a pass to Armand Robinson.
SHOULDER INJURY Had it not been for an injury during his sophomore season, “The Catch” would have been one of Givens’ last catches. He did add on four more receptions, good for 60 yards, and a touchdown in Miami ’s 35-21 win over Middle Tennessee State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. But “thanks” to a shoulder injury suffered in 2009 at Boise State , Givens received a medical redshirt and extra year of eligibility.
“It was a blessing in disguise,” said a reflective Givens. “It gave me an extra year of football. It gave me some time to sit back and look at what I want to do in the near future.”
He also used the time for football improvement. “I never one day sat down and pouted,” Givens said. “I took every advantage to get better for my team. I knew my teammates needed me in the future.”
The senior Robinson (94 catches, 1,062 yards, 6 TDs) and emerging freshman speedster Nick Harwell (64 catches, 871 yards, 6 TDs) led MU receivers in 2010. However, Givens averaged a team-best 14.8 yards per reception and was there when his teammates needed him in the conference championship. He was also there for Miami – minus departed Robinson and missing Harwell – as it faced off with Missouri in the 2011 opener.
PRODUCTIVE IN OPENER Givens provided both experience and leadership against a tough Tigers defense. He ended up with seven catches for 71 yards on the afternoon, while true freshman David Frazier registered six catches for 55 yards in his debut. Junior Andy Cruse added four receptions and 40 yards in the RedHawks 17-6 loss to then-No. 21 Missouri .
“There were certain plays we didn’t execute, (but) I was proud of our team,” Givens said. ‘They did some remarkable things, and our defense played well. We had some freshmen come in and step up. All you can do is ask for people’s best effort at the end of the day.”
Playing smart and giving their best effort will be important for the RedHawks, who have a very challenging out-of-conference schedule and will be a target in conference play this season. After a week off, Miami travels to Minnesota Saturday.
NEARLY FULL STRENGTH Unlike last year, MU came out of the Missouri game relatively healthy. Center JoJo White was back at practice the following week and is ready to go. Harwell will also be back in action, giving quarterback Zac Dysert another key option for a passing game that is critical to the RedHawks success. While former defensive player Erik Finlea provided 75 rushing yards and Miami’s only touchdown against Missouri, the ground game is still a work in progress for new head coach Don Treadwell’s staff. In the meantime, MU needs to continue – or build on - a successful passing game.
According to Givens, the offense has continued to improve in absorbing the system of a new coaching staff. “I think everybody has had a positive attitude about (the changes),” he said. “In the spring, you only have 15 practices. … Especially in the fall camp, you are able to grasp the system. You are able to grasp what the coaches want out of you – their expectations.”
In his five years with the program, the 6-2, 203-pounder from Chillicothe, Ohio has seen three different head coaches, their staffs and their systems. Change, he said, is part of life. “We take the pros (from each) and better ourselves.”
Givens has now seen good times and bad. As they started to win, the RedHawks confidence grew. By the time they reached last year’s conference championship tilt, being an underdog was no big deal. According to Givens, so was his clutch catch. “I was just doing what was expected of me,” he said. “We went in there. We got a “W.” We got out (and) went to a bowl game.”
GOPHERS ALSO LOOKING FOR FIRST WIN Givens and the RedHawks would like to similarly take care of business on the road against their Big Ten foe Saturday. Although the Gophers are 0-2, they were in a position to win both games.
Minnesota dropped its opening game with a 19-17 loss to Southern Cal in Los Angeles. UM scored two second-half touchdowns while shutting out the Trojans over the last two periods. Southern Cal managed just 67 yards rushing on 24 attempts (2.4 ypc) in that game. The hosts did enjoy more success through the air, picking up 304 yards and three touchdowns (two PATs failed) while completing 34-of-35 with no interceptions.
After falling behind 21-7 in the second quarter of their home opener against New Mexico State last week, Minnesota nearly pulled out the victory. The Aggies had absorbed a 20-point loss to Ohio the week before, but they bounced back to record their first win over a Big 10 opponent by beating UM 28-21. It was an emotional loss for the Gophers, who drove to the NMS 25 before stalling with a series of incompletions in the last minute to end the Minnesota final drive.
Just before that (with 20 seconds remaining), Minnesota coach Jerry Kill collapsed on the sideline during a seizure.
Although medical personnel subsequently said he was not in great danger, the disturbing incident stopped the game and turned the crowd from cheering to praying.
COACH OUT OF HOSPITAL Kill, who had several previous seizures episodes over the past decade (including during games) was taken to the hospital. He was released Thursday around noon, went home to change clothes and went to the Gophers practice. He indicated he would be back for practice Friday.
The former MAC mentor discovered he had kidney cancer while being checked out for seizures in 2005, He recovered from the cancer, however, and has not missed a game. As of Thursday, there was no official word about his availability for Saturday’s contest.
Of course, Kill did bring part of his staff with him when he came over from Northern Illinois. The last time they saw the RedHawks in person, Miami was holding the MAC Championship trophy. Although Miami has a new head coach and staff, Kill and staff are familiar with the RedHawks personnel.
Asked if his team could glean anything about Minnesota from NIU’s offense last year, Givens indicated Miami ’s main focus has been on self-improvement.
“The coaches have been preparing us – briefing us about the opponent. We’ve looked at a little bit of film,” he said. However, “We’re worried about ourselves. We’re worried about getting ourselves prepared … and making sure our game plan is ready.”
He continued, “They (the Gophers) are very athletic. They’re very gifted. We’re going to put our best up against their best. … At the end of the day, we’re going to go in there with our lunch pail and hard hat and try to come out with a victory.”
NOTES:
- Miami coach Don Treadwell, like most coaches, is hoping his squad will show the typical Week 1 to Week 2 improvement jump. With a bye week in between, the RedHawks had time to work on special teams. One concern might be containing Minnesota cornerback/kick returner Troy Stoudermire. The senior has racked up a career total of 2,929 yards returning kicks and is closing in on the Big Ten kick return record.
- Miami placekicker Mason Krysinski was kicking well this week in practice after missing a field goal and extra point against Missouri. The sophomore has a very strong leg, but he lacks significant game experience. Minnesota’s Chris Hawthorne, meanwhile, has missed three of four field goal tries thus far.
- Minnesota’s Dan Orseske ranks second in the Big Ten in punting (43.0 average) after averaging 36.1 yards per kick (last in nation) in 2010.
- Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray has some similarities to James Franklin, who led the Tigers in rushing (14 attempts, 72yards) against Miami . Gray gained 110 yards on 17 carries against New Mexico State. Franklin passed for just 129 yards against Miami, warming up a bit in the second half. He was quite a bit warmer the next week at Arizona State, completing 26-of-42 for 319 yards in a 37-30 overtime loss. He also had 84 yards rushing on 27 carries.
- Miami and Minnesota last met in 2007, when the two teams battled it out through three overtimes before Minnesota prevailed 41-35 for its only victory of the season. Miami finished 6-7 overall, 5-2 MAC.
- The Gophers have no sacks through two games. After holding USC to 19 points in the opener, Minnesota ’s defense was more yielding against New Mexico State. The Aggies had 421 total yards, including 288 through the air.
- Linebacker Mike Rallis had 13 tackles (12 solo) in the loss to NMS.
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OXFORD , OH – A decade from now, veteran Miami RedHawks fans may still talk about “The Catch.” Remembering just who made that catch may be a little more difficult, because the guy on the receiving end can be as reserved and unassuming as former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco (formerly Johnson) was flashy.