Miami (OH) QB Brett Gabbert ‘out for a while’ after Week 1 injury

The Miami RedHawks had been chosen as preseason MAC East favorites on the convention’s preseason media day. One main cause why was the presence of All-MAC quarterback Brett Gabbert, who returned for his fourth consecutive season as Miami’s opening week starter.

Nevertheless, the RedHawks could also be with out their star quarterback for a good portion of this season. Gabbert left the opener in opposition to Kentucky within the fourth quarter after sustaining an upper-body damage. Head coach Chuck Martin anticipates that Gabbert will likely be absent from the lineup for an prolonged time frame.

“He’s going to be out for some time,” Martin stated in a Monday press convention. “We don’t have a timetable on him but, however he’s not going to play for some time.”

Gabbert missed one contest in an abbreviated 2020 season and three in 2021. With out Gabbert for the approaching weeks, Miami loses a veteran quarterback contemporary off a spectacular yr with 2,648 passing yards, 26 touchdowns to solely six interceptions, and bowl MVP honors. Previous to damage, he accomplished 20-of-28 passes in opposition to a Wildcat protection, attaining 166 yards by way of the air.

He left the matchup on Miami’s last drive of the sport with round three minutes left, enduring contact whereas finishing an 8-yard move to Mac Hippenhammer with an already-lopsided 37-13 deficit.

“We play these cash video games and it’s enjoyable and thrilling for the followers, thrilling for the gamers, thrilling for the coaches, thrilling for everybody,” Martin stated. “The unfavorable is you’re taking part in an SEC soccer staff for 4 quarters. For those who play effectively, then it turns into a 4 quarter battle from a bodily standpoint. It’s higher in the event you don’t play effectively and issues get out of hand, you then get your twos and threes in, the place we performed our starters from begin to end.”

With Gabbert out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, the RedHawks flip to redshirt freshman Aveon Smith, who appeared in 4 video games in 2020 and 2021 along with Saturday’s opener. Smith accomplished 2-of-4 passes for 13 yards and absorbed one sack in restricted motion in opposition to Kentucky’s protection.

Smith was buried on the depth chart in prior seasons, as A.J. Mayer served as Gabbert’s second-string quarterback. Nevertheless, Mayer transferred to Arkansas State this offseason, opening up a chance for Smith to function the aid quarterback.

“He’s been right here for some time,” Martin stated. “He hasn’t had alternatives to develop, even in video games the place we bought backups in. He’s actually athletic. He’s good. He can do a variety of various things inside our offense, working and throwing… That is what he’s been making ready for, for 3 years.”

Smith will make his first collegiate begin Saturday at dwelling as Miami hosts Robert Morris of the FCS. Nevertheless, the brand new quarterback will likely be missing help from key offensive starters, who additionally suffered accidents Saturday. Martin additionally confirmed in his press convention that beginning left deal with Sam Vaughan is “in all probability out for the season” and beginning tight finish Jack Coldiron won’t play “for at the very least per week or two.”