Sunday, September 24, 2000
Miami 45, Kent 14
Freshman Murray runs for 4 TDs
By Pete Holtermann
Enquirer contributor
OXFORD — Cal Murray Jr. is described in the Miami University football media guide as a “newcomer trying to earn a spot with the travel team.”
Against Kent on Saturday, the freshman looked like a player the RedHawks will travel behind as he scored four first-half touchdowns in Miami's 45-14 victory at Yager Stadium.
Murray sat out last week's game at Ohio State as the Miami coaches went with more blocking schemes.
“Last week was circumstances outside of my control,” Murray said. "The coaches gave me a chance today. I wanted to let them know I'm still here and I have a fire inside me to be the best tailback ever here.”
Murray, who did not play last year for academic reasons, put himself into the Miami record book in just his fourth game by tying RedHawks records for rushing touchdowns in a half and a game with his four scores.
“We had hopes for Cal, but we didn't see him practice until two-a-days started in August,” Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said. “He swooped in and emerged.”
Miami took a touchdown lead just more than five minutes into the game. Then Murray put Miami on cruise control, scoring on runs of 4, 5, 48 and 5 yards to give the RedHawks a 35-0 lead at halftime.
Murray, the son of former NFL player Calvin Murray, equaled his season total with 113 yards in the game.
“He's quick and he cuts real well,” quarterback Mike Bath said. “I thought today he did a good job of hitting the hole and running north instead of just east and west.”
The Miami offense was ma chine-like behind Murray and Bath, who was 21-of-32 for 261 yards. The RedHawks totaled 496 yards of offense compared to 303 for Kent — despite the Golden Flashes holding a three-minute advantage in time of possession.
“When we execute the way we're able to, we can do some things,” Bath said.
Hoeppner credited his team's ability to get over last week's tough Ohio State loss for Saturday's performance.
“I congratulated the coaches and players on a great week of preparation,” he said. “Obviously we were ready to play this football game. I don't think it would've matter who we played.”
It was Miami's second Mid-American Conference and first East Division victory.
Bath reaches 5,000 passing yards
Kent ....... 0 0 7 7—14
Miami ....... 14 21 3 7—45
First Quarter
Mia—Johnson 7 pass from Bath (Brumbergs kick)
Mia—Murray 5 run (Brumbergs kick)
Second Quarter
Mia—Murray 4 run (Brumbergs kick)
Mia—Murray 48 run (Brumbergs kick)
Mia—Murray 5 run (Brumbergs kick)
Third Quarter
Mia—FG Brumbergs 27
Kent—Valentino 11 run (Pavich kick)
Fourth Quarter
Mia—Johnson 10 pass from Bath (Brumbergs kick)
Kent—Quinn 9 pass from Valentino (Pavich kick)
A—16,298.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Kent, Murphy 14-98, Vann 15-71, Valentino 2-15. Miami, Murray 14-113, Robinson 5-45, Little 7-33, Tillitz 1-15, Bath 6-10.
PASSING—Kent, Williams 7-17-1-58, Valentino 6-7-0-44. Miami, Bath 21-32-0-261, Schacke 2-4-1-25.
RECEIVING—Kent, Curry 5-40, Quinn 2-25, Reikowski 2-17, Kelly 2-12. Miami, Buxton 6-80, Tillitz 6-41, Johnson 5-85, Sullivan 3-35.
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