Miami (Ohio) coach unhappy a rivalry trophy doesn't exist after beating Ohio, blames 'cheap' schools
Miami (Ohio) got a big win over Ohio on Wednesday night. And coach Chuck Martin has no idea why there’s no rivalry trophy. Maybe it’s because the schools in the Mid-American Conference are cheap?
That’s his musing, not ours. Martin’s postgame news conference after the RedHawks’ 30-28 victory was quite amusing. Especially as he wondered why a trophy didn’t exist.
“Is there a trophy or anything?” Martin asked. “I was waiting for the trophy to come storming in. What are we talking about? This rivalry, we don’t have a trophy for it or anything? I just assumed there’s a trophy. We haven’t won it in 50 years but how can it be such a rivalry if there’s even no damn trophy? I’ll pitch in if there’s — it’s a pretty big deal. I’m like, where’s the dang trophy? I guess it’s not that big of a deal if no one can afford a trophy for the rivalry. It just shows how cheap these schools are in this league.”
Ohio had won five straight rivalry games
It’s not Miami’s first win in 50 years in the rivalry. But it’s the first win in Martin’s tenure. The RedHawks hadn’t beaten the Bobcats since 2012. Martin is in his fifth season as the team’s coach.
Martin’s remarks about the lack of a trophy came after he noted his own team’s fans were heckling the team in the second half. Miami led 28-7 at halftime and had to fend off a Hail Mary on the last play of the game to ensure the two-point win.
“Our home fans are yelling at our players and coaches as the game’s unraveling,” Martin said. “That’s helpful. And they can hear. The kids can hear it. Because they’re panicked that we’re going to lose. You’ve got to block it out. Welcome to life.”
The win moved Miami to 4-2 in the conference and 4-6 overall. The RedHawks have games against Northern Illinois and Ball State remaining and must win both for a chance at a bowl game.
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.
Follow @NickBromberg on Twitter
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