Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Miami RedHawks head coach Chuck Martin looks on in the first quarter of the football game between Cincinnati Bearcats and Miami RedHawks at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The Miami RedHawks improved to 6-4 on the season on Tuesday with a big MAC win over in-state rival Ohio. But it didn’t come without a little bit of controversy along the way.
After falling behind 17-0, the RedHawks slowly chipped away at the Bobcats’ lead. But late in the first half, Ohio had a chance to kick a field goal to go ahead 20-7.
As the kicker lined up for the field goal, the Miami scoreboard operator showed a video of several goalposts playing behind the actual goalposts. This resulted in a personal foul for unsportsmanlike conduct.
This is why we #MACtion https://t.co/woiEs7DsCd
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) November 11, 2026
On the following play, Ohio attempted a fake field goal that wound up failing when the receiver dropped a wide-open touchdown, sending the game into the half with the score at 17-7.
On Wednesday, Miami head coach Chuck Martin addressed the bizarre penalty and gave his thoughts on the rule.
I got to ask Miami head coach Chuck Martin about the now infamous scoreboard operator penalty on Tuesday. His response was a must-watch rant: @SickosCommittee @MiamiRedHawks https://t.co/yTIQzh5ac1
— Chase Souder (@CSouderSports) November 12, 2026
Miami Coach Chuck Martin Doesn’t Understand Illegal Scoreboard Video Penalty
Martin began his answer to a question from local reporter Chase Souder by praising the officials from the game, saying they handled the situation properly and with poise.
But what Martin doesn’t understand is why the video is even a penalty to begin with.
“They had goal posts on the scoreboard. They had Casper the Friendly Ghost on the scoreboard. Who cared? Like, who cares what they put on the video board?” Martin said. “Like, I kicked, there’s zero percent chance that’s a distraction. Like, zero percent. I kicked. I kicked in high school, and I kicked in college. I know a lot of kickers. Like, there’s zero percent chance that’s a distraction. Zero percent. And then I saw the picture from behind. … Like, was he confused which goalposts they – I mean – it was, I mean, the picture from behind is ridiculous.”
Now, I have never kicked. But Martin seemingly makes a good point. It was easy for the kicker to tell where he was aiming. And when he strikes the ball, he’s looking down at it, not up at the scoreboard.
Martin also noted that there’s no penalty for students distracting a free throw shooter in college basketball.
“There’s all these students, and there’s grown men, you know, college-age grown men in Speedos with shower caps on, jumping up and down in front of me, you know, in little Speedos. Like, they’re not big Speedos. Like, they’re really tiny Speedos. Like, when I’m not shooting free throws at basketball games or if I’m watching games on TV, it’s really uncomfortable.”
Again, he makes a good point! Perhaps it’s time for the NCAA to rethink its rulebook.