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April 15, 2005
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University's football program closed out its 2005 Spring season Friday night under the lights at Yager Stadium, with the White team, led by the first-string offense, topping the Red team, which was led by the first-team defense, 31-7.
In a first half featuring an all-out aerial assault by both teams, the White team surged to a 21-7 halftime edge. With only two running backs available for the game, the passing game became critical and both sides rose to the occasion.
Senior quarterback Josh Betts drove the White 65 yards on the opening drive, completing 4-of-6 passes before connecting with tight end Tyler Vogel on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Not to be outdone, sophomore Mike Kokal, with help from sophomore running back Austin Sykes, led the Red on a 75-yard drive that ended in a one-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Justin Davis. Sykes ran for 17 yards on the drive.
The White, led by junior Ryne Robinson, went ahead for good early in the second quarter. The electric Robinson pulled a Betts' pass away from a defender and sprinted for a 69-yard touchdown. Robinson, who also went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored in a Miami baseball win earlier in the day, later added a 52-yard reception that set up a two-yard Brandon Murphy touchdown plunge. Robinson finished the half with five catches for 173 yards.
Freshman Jared Elliott nearly drove the Red down for a late score, completing a 40-yard pass to fellow freshman Pat LaMonica to end the first half, but LaMonica was drug down at the five-yard line. Kokal and Elliott combined to complete 13-of-13 passes for 198 yards in the half, with Kokal connecting on 10 of those passes.
The defenses picked up the tempo in the second half, and no points were scored in the third quarter. The White team blew the game open when freshman Andra Cleveland forced a fourth-quarter Red fumble and Kokal, who switched teams at the half, hit sophomore Patrick O'Bryan for a 33-yard touchdown strike. Senior Todd Soderquist later added the exclamation point for the White, connecting on a 52-yard field goal with 3:08 left in the game.
All three Miami quarterbacks were impressive on the night. Betts completed 9-of-16 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, while Kokal connected on a combined 12-of-14 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Elliott was strong, completing 13-of-16 passes for 170 yards but was intercepted by Frank Wiwo late in the game.
Sykes was the leading rusher, totaling 51 yards on the night, while Robinson's 173 yards on five receptions led the receivers. Freshman Sean McVay led the White team with six catches for 66 yards.
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