Bowl Mania: Cure Bowl

Cure Bowl 2023

When: Saturday, December 16th @ 3:30 PM ET

Where: Orlando, Florida

Who: Miami (OH) (11-2) vs. Appalachian State (8-5)

Spread & Total: Appalachian State -6.5; O/U 41.5

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Tale of the Take: Miami (OH) RedHawks

Miami of Ohio had a lone hiccup this season, and it happened in Week 1 in the Battle of Miami. The RedHawks were blown out, losing 38-3 in Miami, Florida. They then went on to rattle off six straight victories until they took on Toledo. Miami lost starting quarterback Brett Gabbert in that matchup, and a close game, 21-17. They then went on to win five straight, including revenge over Toledo in the MAC Championship. Miami of Ohio went 3-2 against bowl eligible teams this season.

Offensively, Miami saw a decline in scoring once Gabbert was lost for the season. Against FBS opponents, the RedHawks averaged 29.3 PPG in the six contests with Gabbert; in the last five with Aveon Smith as the starter, Miami averaged 22.4 PPG. Smith never topped 170 yards through the air; Gabbert failed to hit this number just once, in the opener loss against the Miami Hurricanes. Running back Rashad Amos was not used as frequent with Gabbert, averaging just 12.3 carries per game (52.6 YPG; four touchdowns). With Smith as the starter, Amos averaged 15.8 carries per game (94.8 YPG; eight touchdowns).

Defensively, Miami of Ohio is one of the top teams in the country. The RedHawks allow just 6.6 YPA and a 59.1% completion rate. The 12 touchdowns allowed through the air is tied for the 11th-best mark in the country, while intercepting opposing quarterbacks 10 times. Teams try to run on Miami to no avail; Miami allows just 3.6 YPC and 11 touchdowns on the year.

Opt Outs: N/A

Injuries:

QB Brett Gabbert

2023 All-MAC Third Team Offense, despite missing Miami’s last five games. 5th-year junior is third all-time in school history for pass attempts (952), yards (7,893), and touchdowns (59).

Transfer Portal Departures:

QB Aveon Smith

Backup to Gabbert; started last five games for Miami, going 5-0. Mobile quarterback who had 84 pass attempts to 62 rush attempts in that five-game span.

CB Daisjaun Mercer

S Jeremiah Caldwell

 

Players to Know:

#12 QB Henry Hesson

Third-string quarterback replacing Gabbert and Smith. Five career pass attempts for the sophomore.

#0 RB Rashad Amos

2023 All-MAC Third Team Offense. Leads the team with 177 carries, 895 yards and 12 touchdowns.

#15 LB Matt Salopek

2023 All-MAC First Team Defense. 134 total tackles (72 solo) lead the team. 6.5 sacks over the last two years. 370 total tackles (202 solo) over the last three seasons.

#98 PK Graham Nicholson

2023 Lou Groza Award winner for nation’s best placekicker. 35/36 (97.2%) on XPA, 26/27 (96.3%) on FGA. 10/11 from 40+

Preview:New Orleans Bowl

Tale of the Tape: Appalachian State Mountaineers

Appalachian State started redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Burger in the opener against Gardner Webb. He was knocked out in the first half and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Enter Joey Aguilar, who led the Mountaineers to 38-points for the rest of the game. He proved he was no fluke the following week against North Carolina, despite a double overtime loss in Chapel Hill. Four of Appalachian State’s five losses were by one score; 2-4 in one-score games. The Mountaineers fell short in the Sun Belt Championship game against Troy. Appalachian State went 4-5 against bowl eligible teams this year.

Offensively, the Mountaineers ranked in the top-20 in both yards and points per game. 34 passing touchdowns is tied for the 4th most in FBS. 56 offensive touchdowns is tied for the 12th most in the country (17th on a per game basis). App State has an relatively even split between pass (47.2%) and pass (52.8%).

Defensively, Appalachian State’s Achilles heal is on the ground. The 27 rushing touchdowns allowed is tied for the 4th most allowed by bowl eligible teams; it ranks tied for 119th nationally. They allow 5 YPC, also 119th nationally and the third worst mark among bowl eligible teams. Teams are less likely to throw on App State due to this beatable run defense, but also, their pass defense is strong. Their 15 passing touchdowns allowed mirrors the amount of times they intercept opposing quarterbacks, tied for 12th nationally.

Opt Outs: N/A

Injuries: N/A

Transfer Portal Departures:

RB Nate Noel

Team’s leading rusher (173 carries, 834 yards, five scores)

WR Dashaun Davis

Third on the team with 29 receptions; 381 yards and three receiving touchdowns

WR Coen Sutton

IOL Seth Williams

DE Donovan Spellman

DL Deshawn McKnight

LB Nathan Kibambe

CB James Edwards

CB Milan Tucker

Player to Know:

#4 QB Joey Aguilar

All-Sun Belt Second Team Offense. Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year. Started the year as a backup to Ryan Burger, but Burger was lost for the season in the opener against Gardner Webb. 33 touchdowns to nine interceptions on the year. 9th nationally in passing yards (3,546). Thrown for at least three touchdowns in five of his last six games.

#7 LB Andrew Parker Jr.

All-Sun Belt First Team Defense. 103 total tackles (49 solo) led the team. 

#2 Tyrek Funderburk

All-Sun Belt First Team Defense. Four interceptions tied for the team lead. Back-to-back seasons with four interceptions; returned two for touchdown this year, one last year.

Bowl Game Trends:

• Chuck Martin (MOH): 1-3 in bowl games
• Appalachian State: 6-1 in bowl games since 2015 (2-1 under Shawn Clark)

Game Synopsis:

Another bowl team is on their third-string quarterback. Unlike Ohio against Georgia Southern, the RedHawks have a more daunting task. Both matchups are MAC versus Sun Belt, but this one features two conference championship participants.

Miami’s offense does benefit in this matchup, given their strength is on the ground and that is the Mountaineers’ weakness. But which Amos will we see? The play with Gabbert or with Smith? And if App State focuses on stopping the run, can Hesson make them pay? I’m assuming no.

Ultimately, I believe App State’s well rounded offense will put up too many points for the RedHawks to keep up. In what is expected to be a stormy Cure Bowl, I think App State takes home the hardware in Orlando.

Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Appalachian State

Bowl Mania Confidence: 29/43

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