The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Miami (OHIO) – INSIDE SLANT
The stakes for Saturday’s game against Ohio are simple.
A win over their archrival means the RedHawks will remain in contention in the Mid-American Conference East Division race. A loss will virtually end any chance Miami has of appearing in the conference title game on Nov. 30.
The RedHawks, who are fourth in the division with a 2-1 record, trail first-place Kent State, which is 4-0 in the league. Ohio is second with a 3-0 record while Bowling Green is next at 3-1. A win will not only break Miami’s two-game losing streak, but it will give the RedHawks a 3-1 league mark and give them a legitimate chance at winning the division.
Miami, which is coming off a bye week and has a 3-4 mark overall, still has a chance at knocking off Kent State when it hosts the Flashes on Nov. 10, but a loss on Saturday will drop the RedHawks out of the East race.
In order to beat Ohio, Miami must play better than it has the last two weeks. Not only have the RedHawks dropped two in a row, they haven’t been competitive in losing to Cincinnati and Bowling Green. Miami has been outscored 89-26 the last two weeks and has significant issues on both sides of the ball. The RedHawks have allowed 138 points in the last three games and the offense has been unable to establish a running game.
Coach Don Treadwell hopes the week off will help his team regroup physically and mentally. The RedHawks have had several injuries, particularly on the offensive line, and being blown out the last two games has taken a toll on the players. Miami has been outscored 184-48 in its four losses.
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NCAAF Team Report – Miami (OHIO) – NOTES, QUOTES
–Miami’s defense has produced poor numbers in several categories. The RedHawks have allowed an average of 37.6 points and 500.1 yards a game, including 243.9 on the ground. Miami has recorded only six sacks and recovered one fumble. The RedHawks have also allowed opponents to convert 54-of-99 on third downs.
–Defensive end Mwanza Wamulumba has had a solid season after missing all of 2011 because of a torn Achilles. He leads the team with five tackles for a loss of 18 yards, including 2 1/2 sacks for 14 yards. Wamulumba has 19 tackles for the season.
–The RedHawks have been outscored in every quarter with the closest margin being 65-63 in the third period. Miami has been outscored 198-98 in the other three quarters.
SERIES HISTORY: Miami leads Ohio 51-35-2 (last meeting, 2011, 21-14 Ohio)
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Can the offensive line finally play well enough to help quarterback Zac Dysert? So far it hasn’t happened and that must change quickly. The line, which has had several injuries and played poorly in general, has struggled for the second straight season. Miami is averaging a meager 89.3 rushing yards a game. Freshman Jamire Westbrook, who didn’t play against Bowling Green, leads the team in rushing with a paltry 198 yards. The RedHawks have four rushing touchdowns for the season. The line hasn’t been any better at protecting the quarterback, allowing 22 sacks in seven games.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The numbers tell the story, and the story isn’t a pretty one. Miami has given up an average of 37.6 points a game, including games where it has allowed 56, 52 and 49 points. The defense is getting worse as the season goes on. The RedHawks have given up 138 points in their last three games. The defensive line has been dominated, leaving it up to the linebackers and defensive backs to make most of the tackles.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Ohio has a solid team. We know what challenges they present for us.” — Miami coach Don Treadwell, on Saturday’s game.
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NCAAF Team Report – Miami (OHIO) – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK’S GAME: Ohio at Miami, Oct. 27 — The RedHawks need to win in order to stay in the East Division race of the Mid-American Conference. Miami also has several scores to settle with its archrival. The RedHawks have lost six in a row to the Bobcats, with their last win coming in 2005.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The defense needs to step it up against Ohio’s high-powered offense. Quarterback Tyler Tettleton is dangerous passing and running while the Bobcats’ ground game also puts up big numbers. Miami should be able to move the ball, especially if quarterback Zac Dysert plays well against Ohio’s vulnerable pass defense. This should be a high-scoring game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Zac Dysert — The senior has been as good as advertised. Dysert has completed 167-of-267 passes for 1,914 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s thrown a TD pass in six of the seven games this season and in 14 of the last 15 games dating back to 2011.
LB Chris Wade — The coaching staff wasn’t sure what to expect from the junior, who got little playing time in his first two seasons. Wade quickly eased any concerns they might have had. He leads the team with 75 tackles, including 46 solo stops. Wade went into 2012 with 12 career tackles.
WR Nick Harwell — Despite missing three games with a knee injury, he’s third on the team with 23 catches and averages 13 yards a reception. When Harwell hurt his knee before the third game of the season. it was feared he wouldn’t play again in 2012. The junior has caught 12 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown since returning.
ROSTER REPORT
–RB Jamire Westbroook and WR Dawan Scott didn’t play against Bowling Green because of undisclosed injuries.
–DL Austin Brown has been out for the last five games due to a back injury.
–S Justin Bowers has missed the last two games because of a leg injury.
–OL John Anevski has been out for the last two games with a leg injury.
–G Brandyn Cook has missed the last five games because of a finger injury.
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