Third-string QB Logan Inagawa gives UMass a chance in loss to Miami (Ohio)
· Yahoo Sports
AMHERST — Third-string quarterback Logan Inagawa gave UMass a chance.
The sophomore threw a touchdown pass with 1 second remaining, but the ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed as the Minutemen fell, 20-19, to Miami (Ohio) in front of 13,887 fans Saturday at McGuirk Stadium.
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UMass attempted a double handoff, but the RedHawks stuffed the play at the 15-yard line.
“I’m here to be aggressive, I’m here to win games,” UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said. “I’m not going to play scared. … I trust our guys. We practiced that play a lot. I believe what I was told was there was a backside run-through in the A gap or B gap that got penetration.”
UMass (4-2 overall, 1-2 MAC) played without starting quarterback Pop Watson III, who suffered a right ankle injury two weeks ago against Sacramento State. The Springfield native and Virginia Tech transfer played through the injury last week in a loss to Eastern Michigan, but was sidelined Saturday and watched from the sideline wearing a walking boot.
“Pop’s going to hopefully be evaluated next week,” Harasymiak said. “The decision came down to we have to get him healthy. I don’t think he was in a position to play to his strength. The young man did everything possible to try and go.”
True freshman Aedan McCarthy started in Watson’s place but struggled after a promising start. He was injured on a fourth-quarter drive with UMass trailing 20-10, leaving the game on crutches after being evaluated in the sideline medical tent. His right foot was exposed as he left with about four minutes remaining.
“It is a right ankle, I just don’t know what it is yet,” Harasymiak said.
McCarthy was injured with 6:16 left when he was hit low from behind while attempting a pass. He tried to get up twice but fell both times before being helped off the field. Inagawa replaced him.
UMass settled for a field goal on the drive to cut the deficit to 20-13.
The Minutemen defense forced another stop with 2:29 remaining when a fumbled snap on third down led to a Miami punt. It was the RedHawks’ sixth punt of the game.
“We have a really good defense and Coach (Jared) Keyte and his staff this week, they responded and I’m really proud of them,” Harasymiak said. “That’s what you got to do. You got your true freshman quarterback, then we get to the third quarterback, and the defense did a really great job today.”
UMass took over at its own 9-yard line with 2:22 remaining, and Inagawa delivered several key throws to give the Minutemen a chance.
He found T.Y. Harding for 30 yards on second-and-16 to open the drive. Facing fourth-and-6 at the UMass 37, Inagawa connected with Jabari Lewis for 16 yards and a first down with 46 seconds remaining.
On first-and-10 at the Miami 23, Inagawa scrambled for a short gain. Rather than spike the ball to stop the clock, he waited for the offensive line to get set before hitting tight end Max Dawling for a 21-yard touchdown with 1 second left.
“It’s what this program and this team wants to be about; next-man-up mentality,” Harasymiak said. “I’m really proud of him. Great job by him.”
Miami called a timeout before the conversion attempt.
“Got to live with it,” Harasymiak said. “I would do it again and I trust our guys to go do it.”
McCarthy finished 15 of 29 for 171 yards, struggling after a promising start. He completed 10 of his first 14 passes by the middle of the second quarter. From there, he went 2 of 11, including six consecutive incompletions before his final drive.
McCarthy also struggled on downfield throws, completing just three of 13 attempts traveling at least 15 yards.
“We had our chances. He made some of them, but there is quite a bit of them were overthrown, maybe timing of some stuff,” Harasymiak said. “As far the gameplan goes, we trust Aedan. He’s got a big-time arm. We want to play to his skillset. I think we did that. We got to execute a little better.”
McCarthy looked like a seasoned veteran on UMass’ opening touchdown drive. After taking his first sack, he fired an 18-yard completion to Kezion Dia-Johnson for a first down.
Facing third-and-4, McCarthy rolled out to escape pressure and sprinted 7 yards up the sideline for another first down.
Four plays later, Curtis Kimmons IV scored on a 23-yard run to give UMass a 7-0 lead.
McCarthy completed four of six passes on the 11-play, 83-yard drive.
Miami responded with two consecutive scoring drives. After tying the game, the RedHawks stopped UMass on fourth-and-1 at the Minutemen 34-yard line. Miami scored three plays later to take a 14-7 lead.
Derek Morris pulled UMass within 14-10 with a program-record 56-yard field goal, but the Minutemen offense stalled over its next six possessions. UMass managed just two first downs over its next four drives, all of which ended in punts. A fifth possession ended with a fumble, and the sixth resulted in another punt.
The UMass defense held Miami to two second-half field goals and 260 total yards, including 165 rushing yards.
“We know this defense can be really good if we do our job and fly to the football, and do all the little things that the coaches preach,” UMass linebacker Tyler Morris said.
Watson’s status for next week’s game at Buffalo remains uncertain. He was on the sideline Saturday playing catch with McCarthy during breaks in play.
“I probably won’t know until we get off the plane in Buffalo, probably Saturday if he can go,” Harasymiak said. “He’ll be back. He’ll definitely be back.”
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