2008 Miami University RedHawks - Rec. Class

Miami University RedHawks 2008 Head Coach: Shane Montgomery

Miami University RedHawks

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Zac Dysert QB 6-4 195 Ada, OH (Ada HS)
Miami Coaches' Comments: A tremendous athlete who is a threat both passing and running the ball. Expected to make a smooth transition to Miami due to the pass-happy offense in which he played as a prep. Notes: A highly acclaimed quarterback who ranks second on Ohio prep football's all-time passing yardage list with 11,174 yards. The Ohio Coaches Association named him the winner of the 2007 Art Teynor Award as the state's all-division Player of the Year. Previous Teynor Award winners include Ben Roethlisberger and Ted Ginn, Jr. Dysert also was named Ohio Division 6 and Northwest Conference Player of the Year. Last season, despite missing three-and-a-half games with a broken thumb, he passed for 3,714 yards and 35 TDs. During that span last season when he couldn't pass the ball, he played wide receiver and linebacker for the Bulldogs. He threw 100 TD passes during his career. Dysert also was an adept runner, compiling more than 1,000 yards on the ground with 16 TDs.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Dan Green RB 5-10 195 Oak Park, IL (Walther Lutheran HS) Miami Coaches' Comments: A very fast, elusive back with tremendous cutting ability. His ability to participate in 2008 spring drills will give him a good chance to contribute next fall. Notes: Currently enrolled in classes at Miami University and will participate in RedHawks' 2008 spring drills. A business major at Miami. Earned all-state honors in Illinois and was a back-to back all-conference and all-area selection. Recorded consecutive 1,000-plus rushing seasons as junior and senior, averaging more than six yards per attempt. Captained Walther Lutheran his senior year, starring at both running back and strong safety. Honor roll student. His high school coach was Bruce Toumi. Other Schools Interested: Air Force, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Illinois State, Wyoming.

Nick Kemper OL 6-3 275 Winter Springs, FL (Lake Howell HS) Miami Coaches' Comments: A smart player with great fundamental skills. Because of his background at center, he could compete for playing time early. Notes: A four-year football letter winner at Lake Howell High, he won first-team 5A honors in Florida his senior year and was selected to play in the state's North-South All-Star Game. Nick also was a unanimous first-team All-District choice. As the team's offensive center, defensive end and long snapper, his squad was district runner-up in the Florida play-offs in both 2006 and 2007. Also lettered in wrestling and weight-lifting. Academically, he has been an honor roll student each of the last two years. Both his mother, Vicki, and his father, Matt, are Miami University graduates. Dad lettered in football at Miami from 1985-87, starting at offensive tackle. Matt originally hailed from North Gallia H.S. in Kerr, Ohio. Nick is undecided about his major at Miami. Other Schools Interested: South Florida and Central Florida.

Rest of the Class
Brad Bednar OL 6-4 245 Mentor, OH (Mentor)
Trevor Behmke TE 6-5 250 Paoli, PA (Conestoga)
Jim Broadway K/P 6-0 175 Roswell, GA (Roswell)
David "D.J." Brown DB 6-1 175 West Chester, OH (Lakota West)
Joe Clarke WR 6-3 190 Tampa, FL (Alonso)
Andy Cruse WR 6-4 210 Cincinnati, OH (Turpin)
Zac Dysert QB 6-4 195 Ada, OH (Ada)
Dan Green RB 5-10 195 Oak Park, IL (Walther Lutheran)
Juilian Harrell WR 6-3 205 Harrisburg, PA (Bishop McDevitt HS)
Michael Johns DT 6-4 260 Oak Forest, IL (Oak Forest)
Luke Kelly LB 6-2 210 Cincinnati, OH (Turpin)
Nick Kemper OL 6-3 275 Winter Springs, FL (Lake Howell)
Matt Kennedy OL 6-5 240 Mt. Prospect, IL (Prospect)
Evan Klepec DL 6-3 245 Canfi eld, OH (Boardman)
Andrew Phelan OL 6-4 285 West Chester, OH (Lakota West)
Brian Sutherland DB 5-10 170 Smyrna, GA (Campbell)
Jaytee Swanson LB 6-2 210 Buford, GA (Buford)
Jay "J.R." Taylor RB 5-9 195 Reynoldsburg, OH (Reynoldsburg)

- 2007 Miami Season
- 2007 Miami Preview
- 2006 Miami Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2007 Record: 6-7

8/30 at Ball State W 14-13
9/8 at Minn. L 41-35 3OT
9/15 Cincinnati L 47-10
9/22 at Colorado L 42-0
9/29 Syracuse W 17-14
10/6 at Kent State W 20-13
10/13 Bo. Green W 47-14
10/20 at Temple L 24-17
10/27 at Vandy L 24-13
11/3 Buffalo W 31-28
11/14 Akron W 7-0
11/24 at Ohio L 38-29
MAC Championship
Dec. 1 Central Michigan L 35-10

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: The passing game should be more consistent and far more explosive. Daniel Raudabaugh took over the quarterback reins and turned into a good passer as the season went on, and his baby-young receiving corps should be better with Chris Givens and Eugene Harris getting through freshman seasons and Dustin Woods ready to step up as a number one. Nine starters are back on a defense that finished second in yards allowed and first in scoring D. The linebacking corps could be the best unit in the MAC.
Why to be grouchy: Will there be more points? The running game needs to find a new back to carry the mail hoping that Thomas Merriweather can provide a bit of balance. While the rest of the skill players are more experienced, they have to figure out how to get into the end zone after the offense averaged just 19.23 points per game. Two key starters, C Steve Meister and OT Charlie Norden, are gone.
The number one thing to work on is: Passing efficiency. The offense threw for a bunch of yards, but it was hardly consistent or efficient. Raudabuagh had to press a little bit down the stretch, and it showed with seven interceptions in the final three games and with only two touchdown passes. He struggled in a defensive slugfest against Akron, and he couldn't get things going in the blowout loss to Central Michigan in the MAC title game.
Biggest offensive loss: C Steve Meister
Biggest defensive loss: DE Craig Mester
Best returning offensive player: QB Daniel Raudabaugh, Jr.
Best returning defensive player: LBs Joey Hudson, Sr., Clayton Mullins, Sr., Caleb Bostic, Jr.

2007 Recap
Recap: Although the RedHawks enjoyed a nice recovery by tripling their two-win total in 2006, they failed to complete the journey, losing badly to Central Michigan in the MAC title game and slipping under .500.  After nipping Ball State in the opener, Miami was a victim of streaky behavior, losing three straight, winning three straight, dropping two in-a-row, winning two-in-a-row, and finally, losing its last two games to finish 6-7.  The RedHawks never quite overcame season-ending injuries to their top two backs, Andre Bratton and Brandon Murphy, relying almost exclusively on one of the league’s stingiest defenses.      

Offensive Player of the Year: G Dave DiFranco

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Clayton Mullins

Biggest Surprise: In a game of evenly-matched programs, Miami destroyed Bowling Green, 47-14, to take control of the East Division.  The RedHawks played their most complete game of the season, outgaining the Falcons 499-232, and sacking Tyler Sheehan six times.      

Biggest Disappointment: The RedHawks went stride-for-stride with the Big Ten’s Minnesota in Week 2, but fell, 41-35, in three exhausting overtimes.  Miami rallied for 16 points in the final 6:35 of regulation to send the game into extra sessions, making the final outcome that much harder to digest.           

Looking Ahead: Provided Miami can shake off last year’s sluggish finish, it’ll be right back in the hunt for a league championship in 2008.  Only three of last year’s starters were seniors, and the linebacker trio of Mullins, Joey Hudson, and Caleb Bostic will be one of the best in the country among non-BCS schools.

Dec. 1
MAC Championship
Central Michigan 35 ... Miami University 10
Dan LeFevour ran for 170 yards and touchdowns from 21 and 29 yards out, and threw for 185 yards with scoring passes from three yards away to Kito Poblah on the way to a second straight MAC championship. Miami got a 38-yard Nathan Parseghian field goal in the third quarter and a 12-yard Armand Robinson touchdown catch in the fourth, but CMU had control of the game throughout. Ontario Sneed ran for two fourth quarter scores for the Chippewas.
Player of the game: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 24 of 34 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions, and ran 20 times for 170 yards and two scores.
Stat Leaders: Miami University - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 29-50, 254 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 4-21. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 6-41
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan LeFevour, 24-34, 185 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 20-170, 2 TD. Receiving: Antonio Brown, 6-30
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Miami had a strong bounceback season from the 2006 disaster, but with the loss to Ohio before getting run over in the MAC Championship, the bowl dream is now gone. CMU's Dan LeFevour proved to be too much to handle, while the MU running game never got going with the offense revolving all around QB Daniel Raudabaugh. MU had to come up with a defensive gem to pull off the upset, and couldn't.

Nov. 24
Ohio 38 ... Miami University 29
Ohio only gained 199 yards of total offense, but got help from two key interceptions to finish the year 6-6. Kalvin McRae ran for a one-yard score and Andrew Mooney caught touchdown passes from two and 17 yards out after Miami started off the scoring with a one-yard Thomas Merriweather touchdown run and a three-yard Chris Givens catch for a 14-7 lead. And then the Ohio defense stepped up with two interceptions leading to the McRae run and Mooney's second score. The Redhawks were held time and again over the final 31 minutes with Nathan Parseghian hitting five field goals for the team's final 15 points, but Joshua Abrams returned a kickoff for a score midway through the fourth to stay comfortably ahead.
Player of the game: Ohio safeties Steven Jackson and Todd Koenig combined for 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three broken up passes
Stat Leaders: Miami University - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 21-44, 223 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Cory Jones, 25-103. Receiving: Dustin Woods, 6-75
Ohio - Passing: Brad Bower, 4-10, 77 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 24-112, 1 TD. Receiving: Andrew Mooney, 3-47, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Did Miami actually need to beat Ohio? Maybe. Of course the RedHawks are already in the MAC title game and can achieve their ultimate goal with a win next week, but if they lose to Central Michigan, they'll be 6-7 and possibly out of the bowl picture. The MAC is still waiting on a ruling on whether or not a team with a losing record can play in a bowl this year. The defense came up with its second straight strong game, but the offense failed to close out drives with touchdowns in the second half. Yards won't be a problem against the Chippewas, so it'll be all about closing.

Nov. 14
Miami University 7 ... Akron 0
Craig Meester took a fumble seven yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. That was it for the scoring. The two teams combined for seven turnovers and 18 punts with Miami coming up with 320 yards of total offense and Akron cranking out just 216. MU LB Clayton Mullins forced the fumble that turned into a score and finished with 11 tackles.
Player of the game: Miami LB Clayton Mullins made 11 tackles, a sack, forced a fumble and made five tackles for loss
Stat Leaders: Akron - Passing: Chris Jacquemain, 12-33, 116 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Alex Allen, 13-73. Receiving: Jabari Arthur, 6-73
Miami University - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 16-31, 189 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Cory Jones, 18-66. Receiving: Chris Givens, 5-78
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Miami pulled off the game it had to have, with the ugly win over Akron, to be in a position for an East title. The defense was tremendous, but the offense did its best to screw everything up with four turnovers and way too many overall misfired. Survive and move on is all that matters at this point, and now with a win over Ohio, or a Buffalo loss, the RedHawks will be playing Central Michigan for the MAC title.

Nov. 3
Miami University 31 ... Buffalo 28
Miami got two touchdown passes from Daniel Raudabaugh, including a six-yard play late in the third quarter for a 31-20 lead, but Buffalo would make it interesting with Naaman Roosevelt's second touchdown of the day on a three-yard catch with 2:54 to play. The Bulls had one last shot, but QB Drew Willy was sacked, lost a fumble and MU held on. The RedHawks answered a 92-yard James Starks touchdown run in the first five minutes with 17 straight points, but needed a long drive and a one-yard Thomas Merriweather touchdown run to take the lead for good. MU came up with six sacks, with Joe Coniglio cranking out two of them.
Player of the game: Miami QB Daniel Raudabaugh completed 20 of 26 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, and ran three times for 17 yards.
Stat Leaders: Buffalo - Passing: Drew Willy, 33-45, 217 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Starks, 19-148, 1 TD. Receiving: Brett Hamlin, 9-100
Miami University - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 20-26, 269 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Cory Jones, 19-124. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 5-70, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All the RedHawks have to do is beat either Akron or Ohio and it's in the MAC title game. While it took a while to finally put away Buffalo, an efficient day from Daniel Raudabaugh, and good offensive balance, overcame UB's rally. In the end, the defense came through when it had to, especially with the pass rush cranking out six sacks. As crazy as it sounds considering it cam against Buffalo, this might have been the program's biggest win in three years.

Oct. 27
Vanderbilt 24 ... Miami University 13
On a day when Earl Bennett became the SEC's all-time leader in receptions, it was the Vandy running game that beat Miami with 290 yards to 26. The RedHawks held a first half 10-7 lead on a 40-yard Jamal Rogers catch, but the Commodore defense controlled things the rest of the way, while Chris Nickson and Cassen Jackson-Garrison each ran for scores. Vandy outgained MU 411 yards to 238.
Player of the game: Vanderbilt LB Jonathan Goff made 11 tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack
Stat Leaders: Miami University - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 18-37, 212 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Austin Sykes, 10-49. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 4-54
Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 9-14, 108 yds
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 14-75, 1 TD. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 8-85
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The RedHawk defense wasn't awful against Vanderbilt, and it did a good job of forcing turnovers, but the offense couldn't take advantage. Never in a groove, Austin Sykes and the ground game never established anything, while Daniel Raudabaugh struggled outside of one big touchdown pass. Getting a non-conference win over an SEC team would've been nice, but now the real work begins with home games against Buffalo and Akron. Win those, and a MAC title is within the sights.

Oct. 13
Miami University 47 ... Bowling Green 14
Miami got first quarter touchdown runs from Austin Sykes and Eugene Harris, got a blocked punt for a safety, and a one-yard Jamel Miller scoring run on the way to a 23-0 first half lead before Bowling Green finally got on the board with a nine-yard Dan Macon touchdown run. MU answered two plays later with a 73-yard Eugene Harris touchdown catch to spark a run of 24 points in the blow out. The RedHawks outrushed the Falcons 262 yards to 25.
Player of the game: Miami University RB Austin Sykes ran 17 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns, and caught two passes for 23 yards.
Stat Leaders: Miami - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 16-24, 237 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Austin Sykes, 17-124, 2 TD. Receiving: Jamal Rogers, 3-23
Bowling Green - Passing: Tyler Sheehan, 16-27, 140 yds
Rushing: Anthony Turner, 6-33 . Receiving: Willie Geter, 5-51
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Where did the offensive explosion come from? All of a sudden, the running game was unstoppable against Bowling Green, and Eugene Harris came up with two scoring plays that all but put the game away. Meanwhile, the defense has come up with its third straight good game, and now the RedHawks are the lead dog in the MAC race. With Temple, Buffalo, Akron and Ohio ahead, winning out in the conference is more than just a hope.

Oct. 6
Miami University 20 ... Kent State 13
Miami got a 27-yard Nathan Parseghian field goal with 5:27 to play, and then got a goal line stop with just under two minutes left, as Julian Edelman scrambled on fourth and goal from the 13 and was stopped at the one. Eugene Jarvis ran for a three-yard score to start off the scoring for the Golden Flashes, but Miami answered with a one-yard Austin Sykes run. The Golden Flashes outgained the RedHawks 463 yards to 411, but lost three turnovers and got killed by penalties.
Player of the game: Miami S Jordan Gafford made 11 tackles and forced a fumble, and came up with the game-saving stop.
Stat Leaders: Miami Univ. - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 8-12, 186 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Austin Sykes, 18-74, 1 TD. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 4-44
Kent State - Passing: Julian Edelman, 19-33, 260 yds, 2 INTs
Rushing: Julian Edelman, 22-93. Receiving: Derek McBryde, 7-124
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Miami might not always be pretty, and it might be three plays away from being 0-6, but it's 2-0 in the MAC and getting the big plays it absolutely has to have in the final minutes. Daniel Radabaugh wasn't asked to do much, but he threw well when he had to. Getting more from the running game would be nice, but Austin Sykes ran well against Kent State. Now the real test begins, having to deal with the passing game of Bowling Green. Does MU have the firepower to keep up?

Sept. 29
Miami University 17 ... Syracuse 14
Cory Jones ran for two touchdowns, and Trevor Cook hit a 19-yard field goal, after Syracuse came up with a goal line stand late in the fourth, to come up with a shocking win. The Orange fought back late, stuffing MU three times on the one line to force the Cook field goal, and then answering with a 28-yard Taj Smith touchdown catch with just over four minutes to play. SU had one last shot, but couldn't get further than its own 13.
Player of the game: Miami RB Cory Jones ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, and had three receptions for 21 yards.
Stat Leaders: Syracuse - Passing: Andrew Robinson, 17-36, 236 yds, 2 TDs
Rushing: Curtis Brinkley, 12-36. Receiving: Taj Smith, 6-81, 1 TD
Miami - Passing: Mike Kokal, 13-26, 150 yds, 3 INTs
Rushing: Cory Jones, 12-125, 2 TDs. Receiving: Dustin Woods, 6-95
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The offense didn't exactly hum against Syracuse after taking a big early lead, but it came up with the points it needed to, and helped by a tremendously placed punt 51-yard punt from Jake Richardson, was able to hold on. SU might not be a powerhouse, but it was still a win over a BCS conference team coming off two straight blowout losses to Cincinnati and Syracuse. The running game was outstanding, and it had to be with Mike Kokal throwing three interceptions and the team committing ten penalties.

Sept. 22
Colorado 42 ... Miami University 0
Colorado got two passing touchdowns and a rushing score from Cody Hawkins, and Hugh Charles ran for a 17-yard score in the blowout. The Buffs outgained Miami 634 yards to 139, and allowed just six first downs. The second quarter proved to be the end for the RedHawks, with CU getting three touchdowns, including a three-yard Patrick Devenny catch with 15 seconds to play in the first half. Brian Lockridge closed things out with a 43-yard touchdown run early in the fourth .
Player of the game: Colorado QB Cody Hawkins went 19-of-30 for 275 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while running twice for eight yards and another score.
Stat Leaders: Miami University - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 11-32, 95 yds
Rushing: Austin Sykes, 9-29. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 3-22
Colorado - Passing: Cody Hawkins, 19-30, 275 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: Hugh Charles, 17-123, 1 TD. Receiving: Scotty McKnight, 3-60
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MU is stepping backwards. After a nice offensive day against Minnesota, the attack has hit the skids over the last two weeks against Cincinnati and Colorado, and that's because the quarterback play hasn't been any good. Daniel Raudabaugh simply isn't there yet. He never loosened things up against the Buffs with any passes of significance, and there wasn't any running game to help the cause. The defense couldn't get CU off the field, while the offense only held on to the ball for 19:36.

Sept. 15
Cincinnati 47 ... Miami University 10
Cincinnati won a laugher as Marshawn Gilyard blocked a punt for a safety and caught a six-yard touchdown pass on the way to a 16-0 first quarter lead, and Dustin Gruza finished with two touchdown passes. The RedHawks turned it over four times, with DeAngelo Smith returning an interception 54 yards for a score. MU's touchdown came on a 16-yard Armand Robinson catch early in the second half, but the Bearcats scored 21 unanswered points helped by five-yard touchdown run from Doug Jones and Bradley Glatthaar.
Player of the game: Cincinnati QB Dustin Grutza.went 25-of-35 for 290 yards and two touchdown passes, while rushing five times for 16 yards.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Dustin Grutza, 25-35, 290 yds, 2 TDs
Rushing: Bradley Glatthaar, 11-43, 1 TD. Receiving: Connor Barwin, 6-109
Miami Univ. - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 24-45, 240 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Austin Sykes, 13-76. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 6-47
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The RedHawks are going to have issues against talented, aggressive defenses like Cincinnati has, so it'll be up to the passing game to make quicker decisions out of the quarterbacks. Daniel Raudabaugh wasn't awful in place of Mike Kokal, but he failed to keep the chains moving and didn't generate nearly enough points to stay in the game. This isn't necessarily a team built around making a big comeback.

Sept. 8
Minnesota 41 ... Miami University 35 3OT
Minnesota played its third straight overtime game going back to last season, but this time, it finally won as Amir Pinnix rumbled in from two yards out after the defense held when Jamal Harris intercepted a Daniel Raudabaugh pass. The two teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, and Miami had a chance to win it after Jason Giannini missed a 26-yard field goal in the second overtime, but Trevor Cook missed a 33-yard field goal attempt. Adam Weber threw four touchdown passes for the Gophers including two two Eric Decker, on the way to a 28-12 fourth quarter lead, but the RedHawks roared back with 16 points in 6:31 finished off with a 36-yard Trevor Cook field goal with :11 to play to send it into overtime.
Player of the game: Minnesota QB Adam Weber went 26-of-40 for 271 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and ran for 97 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Stat Leaders: Miami Univ. - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 13-24, 222 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon Murphy, 12-78. Receiving: Dustin Woods, 6-75, 1 TD
Minnesota - Passing: Adam Weber, 26-40, 271 yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Amir Pinnix, 28-126, 1 TD. Receiving: Eric Decker, 7-128, 2 TDs
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... After beating Ball State in the final minutes and taking Minnesota to three overtimes, Miami games are certainly going to be fun. The offense was humming in the second half with the combination of Mike Kokal and Daniel Raudabaugh bombing away, but the defense couldn't handle Minnesota when it started to get physical. That could be a big problem over the next two weeks against Cincinnati and Colorado teams that aren't afraid to pound the ball. Even so, the safety combination of Jordan Gafford and Robbie Wilson were excellent, combining for 25 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Aug. 30
Miami University 14 ... Ball State 13
Miami won on Brandon Murphy's six-yard run with 17 seconds to play to pull out a tough game. Murphy got the RedHawks first score in the second quarter on a 21-yard run, but Ball State took the lead in the second half on a 22-yard field goal and a 23-yard Dante Love catch. Eugene Harris set up the game winning score on a 56-yard punt return, and finished with 100 yards on three returns for the game.
Player of the game: Miami RB Brandon Murphy ran 19 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns and caught a pass for 17 yards
Stat Leaders: Miami - Passing: Mike Kokal, 14-24, 118 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Brandon Murphy, 19-123-2 TD. Receiving: Dustin Woods, 5-46
Ball State - Passing: Nate Davis, 19-36, 198 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: MiQuale Lewis, 25-91. Receiving: Dante Love, 8-80, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Ah yes, the running game. Sorely missing all of last year, Miami finally got things moving on the ground with a good performance against Ball State. The defense did a fantastic job of keeping the high-powered Cardinal passing game in check, but this last-minute win was about the offense executing when it had to, and Brandon Murphy coming up with a big performance. This was the type of win the RedHawks needed to erase the memories of last year. Of concern is the kicking game with Trevor Cook missing from 32 and 46 yards out.