Miami and Central Michigan meet once again after a battle in the first matchup

Miami and Central Michigan have played once and that was back in 2019 when the Hurricanes won 17-12 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Miami was a 30-point favorite, but needed an interception with six seconds left to end the game. Saturday's rematch at Hard Rock Stadium is the second meeting in series history, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on The CW.

Revisiting Miami vs. Central Michigan in 2019

The 2019 game came in Manny Diaz's first season at Miami and Jim McElwain's first season at Central Michigan. McElwain, the former Florida coach, was making his first trip back to the state as an opposing head coach. Miami entered the game 1-2 after losses to Florida and North Caroline, while Central Michigan entered 2-1 after wins over Albany and Akron.

DeeJay Dallas scored from 1 yard out on fourth-and-1 midway through the first quarter, capping an 85-yard drive for a 7-0 lead. That touchdown was actually the first TD on an opening possession that season.

The Hurricanes struggled in third down situations and on the ground. Miami went 1 for 10 on third down and rushed for just 51 yards on 34 carries. The Canes were not what they are today as they allowed four sacks, committed 13 penalties, had a punt blocked and gave up a safety in the second quarter.

Still, Central Michigan wasn't able to take advantage of the mistakes. Miami's Jarren Williams threw for 250 yards for the game and his 6-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn early in the third quarter made it 14-2.

Chippewas kicker, Ryan Tice, answered with a 55-yard field goal that cut the lead to 14-5. By this point in the game it became a field goal battle, with Miami kicker, Bubba Baxa, missing a 27-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, but making a 22-yarder after Central Michigan was flagged for running into the kicker. That field goal put the score at 17-5.

David Moore scored on a 1-yard sneak with three minutes remaining, finishing a 17-play, 55-yard drive that lasted over eight minutes and made it 17-12.

On the following possession, Miami's Louis Hedley pinned the Chippewas deep and the Canes sealed the win with an interception with six seconds left.

Postgame fallout and looking to this week

Diaz called it Miami's worst game of the season, but it ended up being good enough to pull out the victory.

Central Michigan later reached the 2019 MAC championship game and lost 26-21 to Miami (Ohio) at Ford Field. Miami ended the year at 6-7 after a 14-0 loss in the Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech.

Now No. 6 Miami, who is 3-0 and 2-0 in the ACC, faces a 2-1 Central Michigan team this Saturday, just over seven years later.

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