By MIKE SMITH
Halloween season a special time of year in Athens, Ohio, where revelers descend upon the community to join in a massive celebration of ... well, any number of things, including the season.
With the 2017 Halloween Block Party already done, there remains one more opportunity for considerable celebration. That would be at Peden Stadium on Tuesday when the Miami RedHawks battle hosting Ohio University in another Battle of the Bricks.
But just who will . . .
Halloween season a special time of year in Athens, Ohio, where revelers descend upon the community to join in a massive celebration of ... well, any number of things, including the season.
With the 2017 Halloween Block Party already done, there remains one more opportunity for considerable celebration. That would be at Peden Stadium on Tuesday when the Miami RedHawks battle hosting Ohio University in another Battle of the Bricks.
But just who will . . .
. . . be celebrating? At least 60 minutes of hard-fought football will once again decide that as the two teams renew their rivalry for the 94th time. Miami owns a 59-32-2 advantage overall, but Ohio has won the last four meetings and 10 of the last 11 encounters.
Oct. 31 is a date that was circled by both teams as soon as schedules were firmed. Ohio was the preseason MAC Media Pick, while Miami’s strong finish in 2016 had some preseason magazines leaning toward the RedHawks.
Oct. 31 is a date that was circled by both teams as soon as schedules were firmed. Ohio was the preseason MAC Media Pick, while Miami’s strong finish in 2016 had some preseason magazines leaning toward the RedHawks.
Miami RedHawks (3-5, 2-2 MAC) at Ohio Bobcats (5-2, 2-1 MAC)
Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 8 p.m. ET
Peden Stadium – Athens Ohio
ESPN2
Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 8 p.m. ET
Peden Stadium – Athens Ohio
ESPN2
Last year’s battle in Oxford went the visitors way as the Bobcats posted a 17-7 triumph. That win proved critical as Miami soon went on a six-game winning streak to close the regular season. Although the two teams tied for the MAC East Crown, Ohio went to the championship game by virtue of owning the first tiebreaker – a head-to-head win over Miami.
The 2016 contest was even closer than the final score suggested. Moreover, it impacted the remainder of MU’s season in a variety of ways.
Ohio lead 10-7 late in the second quarter when Miami starter Billy Bahl suffered an injury that forced MU to use freshman Noah Wezensky for the entire second half.
It was a baptism by fire for Wezensky, who completed 14 of 25 attempts for 154 yards with one touchdown pass. That was enough to keep Miami within three points until Blair Brown sacked the freshman for a 13-yard loss with less than two minutes remaining. Ohio’s Kevin Robbins recovered a fumble on the play to record a Bobcat touchdown that put the game away.
Wezensky got another start again one week later as Miami fell to Akron, falling to 0-6 on the season. Gus Ragland then returned from a spring ACL injury to lead MU past its next six opponents. He also guided the RedHawks to a near upset of Mississippi State in the St. Petersburg Bowl.
The 2016 contest was even closer than the final score suggested. Moreover, it impacted the remainder of MU’s season in a variety of ways.
Ohio lead 10-7 late in the second quarter when Miami starter Billy Bahl suffered an injury that forced MU to use freshman Noah Wezensky for the entire second half.
It was a baptism by fire for Wezensky, who completed 14 of 25 attempts for 154 yards with one touchdown pass. That was enough to keep Miami within three points until Blair Brown sacked the freshman for a 13-yard loss with less than two minutes remaining. Ohio’s Kevin Robbins recovered a fumble on the play to record a Bobcat touchdown that put the game away.
Wezensky got another start again one week later as Miami fell to Akron, falling to 0-6 on the season. Gus Ragland then returned from a spring ACL injury to lead MU past its next six opponents. He also guided the RedHawks to a near upset of Mississippi State in the St. Petersburg Bowl.
Ragland, injured two games ago against Bowling Green, likely won’t be available against Ohio (5-2, 2-1 MAC) again this year, and Wezensky is no longer with the program. Bahl, however, is back and guided MU (3-5, 2-2 MAC) past Buffalo 24-14 in his first start of 2017 on Oct. 21.
Bahl managed to complete 13 of 20 passes for 177 yards in that game. While he did not throw a touchdown pass, he also did not throw an interception.
The RedHawks, as much as anybody, know how important avoiding turnover is. Their six-game win streak last year coincided with a dramatic reduction in penalties and turnovers. Ragland, in fact, did not throw an interception until one pick in the bowl game.
It’s been much different this year, and it shows up in the win-loss column. Despite some significant injuries, Miami could well be 7-1, with the one loss being at Notre Dame. Turnovers, however, have turned several victories into defeats.
Actually, both MU and OU are even in turnover margin, but Miami’s penalties have been particularly untimely.
None was more frustrating than a home loss to winless Bowling Green. Trailing 30-29 with first and goal at the one in the final minutes, Miami fumbled. Bowling Green picked up the loose ball and ran 93 yards the other way for a touchdown to put the game away.
Now 2-2 in conference play, Miami can still control its destiny, but there is no margin for error on its MAC East title chase. After facing Ohio, the RedHawks host Akron (4-1 MAC) the following week.
Ohio, now 3-1 in conference play, has won two straight since a 26-23 upset home loss against Central Michigan Oct. 7. The ‘Cats offense has been churning out since then, putting 48 points on the board against both Bowling Green (48-30) and Kent State (48-3).
Ohio, in fact, is now No. 1 among all MAC teams in scoring offense (40.8 ppg). No small amount of the success goes to a run game that also leads the conference with an average production of 242.4 ypg. Junior running back A.J. Ouellette is the MAC’s second-leading rusher with an average of 93.4 ypg).
The Bobcats pass offense is 11th in yards (178.8 ypg), but Ohio is fourth in pass efficiency. Sophomore QB Nathan Rourke has completed 97 of 174 pass attempts. (55.7%) with 10 TDs and just three interceptions. He also has run the ball 79 times for 499 yards (6.3 ypc) and 10 scores to give OU an additional run threat.
Five Bobcat receivers have two TDs. Among them are catch leaders Brendan Cope (26 catches, 347 yards, 2 TDs) and Andrew Meyer (21 catches, 312 yards, 2 TDs) .
Ohio’s defense is sixth in scoring defense (25.4 ppg), fifth in total defense (365.1 ypg), second against the run (126.1 ypg) and sixth in pass defense efficiency. The Bobcats are second behind only Northern Illinois in defending third down conversions (30.1%).
Miami, meanwhile, is third in scoring defense (24.5 ppg). It is fifth against the rush (151.8 ypg) and second in pass defense (191.4 ypg) behind only Eastern Michigan – a team that took Ohio into overtime. MU is fifth in pass defense efficiency.
All-MAC cornerback Heath Harding missed the Buffalo game with an injury, but had a few extra days to mend for potential participation against Ohio. Linebacker Junior McMullen, who recently missed time with injury returned for full time duty against Buffalo and joined fellow linebacker Brad Koenig with eight tackles apiece to lead MU against the Bulls. Tony Reid had an interception, while Joshua Allen turned in one of the game’s biggest plays with a fumble recovery just after intermission.
Running back Kenny Young went 35 yards to paydirt on the next play to start a decisive 14-point third quarter. Young and Alonzo Smith teamed up to give Miami 172 yards and three TDs on the ground against UB.
James Gardner tops all RedHawks with six touchdowns. He has a team-high 32 receptions for 681 yards for an average of 21.3 ypc. Tight end Ryan Smith is next with 23 receptions for 284 yards and three scores.
Bahl managed to complete 13 of 20 passes for 177 yards in that game. While he did not throw a touchdown pass, he also did not throw an interception.
The RedHawks, as much as anybody, know how important avoiding turnover is. Their six-game win streak last year coincided with a dramatic reduction in penalties and turnovers. Ragland, in fact, did not throw an interception until one pick in the bowl game.
It’s been much different this year, and it shows up in the win-loss column. Despite some significant injuries, Miami could well be 7-1, with the one loss being at Notre Dame. Turnovers, however, have turned several victories into defeats.
Actually, both MU and OU are even in turnover margin, but Miami’s penalties have been particularly untimely.
None was more frustrating than a home loss to winless Bowling Green. Trailing 30-29 with first and goal at the one in the final minutes, Miami fumbled. Bowling Green picked up the loose ball and ran 93 yards the other way for a touchdown to put the game away.
Now 2-2 in conference play, Miami can still control its destiny, but there is no margin for error on its MAC East title chase. After facing Ohio, the RedHawks host Akron (4-1 MAC) the following week.
Ohio, now 3-1 in conference play, has won two straight since a 26-23 upset home loss against Central Michigan Oct. 7. The ‘Cats offense has been churning out since then, putting 48 points on the board against both Bowling Green (48-30) and Kent State (48-3).
Ohio, in fact, is now No. 1 among all MAC teams in scoring offense (40.8 ppg). No small amount of the success goes to a run game that also leads the conference with an average production of 242.4 ypg. Junior running back A.J. Ouellette is the MAC’s second-leading rusher with an average of 93.4 ypg).
The Bobcats pass offense is 11th in yards (178.8 ypg), but Ohio is fourth in pass efficiency. Sophomore QB Nathan Rourke has completed 97 of 174 pass attempts. (55.7%) with 10 TDs and just three interceptions. He also has run the ball 79 times for 499 yards (6.3 ypc) and 10 scores to give OU an additional run threat.
Five Bobcat receivers have two TDs. Among them are catch leaders Brendan Cope (26 catches, 347 yards, 2 TDs) and Andrew Meyer (21 catches, 312 yards, 2 TDs) .
Ohio’s defense is sixth in scoring defense (25.4 ppg), fifth in total defense (365.1 ypg), second against the run (126.1 ypg) and sixth in pass defense efficiency. The Bobcats are second behind only Northern Illinois in defending third down conversions (30.1%).
Miami, meanwhile, is third in scoring defense (24.5 ppg). It is fifth against the rush (151.8 ypg) and second in pass defense (191.4 ypg) behind only Eastern Michigan – a team that took Ohio into overtime. MU is fifth in pass defense efficiency.
All-MAC cornerback Heath Harding missed the Buffalo game with an injury, but had a few extra days to mend for potential participation against Ohio. Linebacker Junior McMullen, who recently missed time with injury returned for full time duty against Buffalo and joined fellow linebacker Brad Koenig with eight tackles apiece to lead MU against the Bulls. Tony Reid had an interception, while Joshua Allen turned in one of the game’s biggest plays with a fumble recovery just after intermission.
Running back Kenny Young went 35 yards to paydirt on the next play to start a decisive 14-point third quarter. Young and Alonzo Smith teamed up to give Miami 172 yards and three TDs on the ground against UB.
James Gardner tops all RedHawks with six touchdowns. He has a team-high 32 receptions for 681 yards for an average of 21.3 ypc. Tight end Ryan Smith is next with 23 receptions for 284 yards and three scores.
RSS Feed