Doyt L. Perry Stadium
It’s been a tough start to the 2018 season for Miami’s RedHawks and the Bowling Green Falcons, who kickoff their Mid-American Conference schedule Saturday on BG turf.
The hosts fell to a pair of Power Five teams in their first two outings but finally notched a victory by edging Eastern Kentucky 42-35 last week.
Miami, on the other hand, has stumbled out of the gate with three straight losses. The most recent might have felt like more than one loss, given the RedHawks lost three key players in a 26-3 setback at Minnesota. Their return is one of many uncertainties surrounding MU, which began 2018 with one of the most-veteran lineups among MAC teams.
One thing Miami head coach Chuck Martin is certain of is that the Falcons can be an explosive team.
“They’re going to spread you out and try to run it, and you’ve got to defend the run. If they can run, then their passing attack becomes that much more prolific.,” Martin said. “Last year, they beat us by getting the ball over our head, and that’s what they do.”
The Falcons did have two passing TDs in last year’s matchup, but it was a turnover that ultimately decided the game.
Bowling Green took a 30-29 lead in the fourth quarter, but Miami had a first down at BG’s 1-yard line with 1:21 left. MU moved a blocker into the backfield and the hike grazed him, deflecting to the ground. Brandon Harris picked up the ball and ran 98 yards for a score that cemented one of two Falcons wins on the season.
That offensive shootout totaled 1,117 yards of offense, with Miami out-gaining BG 612-505. For there to be anything like that this time around, the RedHawks will have to find a way to get their offense untracked. Bowling Green, meanwhile, hopes to maintain its own offensive production while keeping the short-handed RedHawks offense in check.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (0-3)
➤➤ MU’s last touchdown came with 3:31 left in the fourth quarter of its opener against Marshall. The RedHawks lost that game 35-28 and have not scored a touchdown for eight quarters.
Rival Cincinnati shut out MU 21-0 in miserable weather conditions the following week. Minnesota then stifled the Miami offense, as well, giving up just three points.
➤➤ RB Kenny Young, arguably Miami’s best overall weapon, was injured in the first half at Minnesota. Maurice Thomas and freshman Davion Johnson took over most of the rushing load. Johnson gained 50 yards on nine carries, while Thomas provided 36 yards on 10 carries.
“Davion did a nice job,” Martin said. “Thomas had some nice touches )... (and) Jaylen Bester got out there and did some nice things. … Even without Kenny, we have enough in the cupboard … (but) I think Kenny can be ready pretty quick.”
➤➤ It may not be as promising for Gardner, who gets the bulk of opponent secondary focus. “That, obviously, would be a blow for us, but we’ll see how that plays out,” said Martin, who added Doyle is questionable this week.”
➤➤ The RedHawks coach felt his defense again played reasonably well against Minnesota. Much of the damage came on a pair of long distance third down plays that UM was able to convert. “There were two more stops that we needed to make … and they should have been the easiest ones of the day,” Martin said.
➤➤ Miami is seventh among MAC teams in scoring defense and second in total defense (323.7 ypg).
➤➤ MU is last (12th) in rushing offense (79.0 ypg) and 10th in both passing offense and pass efficiency.
➤➤ Quarterback Gus Ragland has completed 54.2 percent of his passes in 2018. He has registered three touchdown passes (all in Week One) and two interceptions. The R-Sr also had a ball slip out of his hand on a pass attempt against Minnesota. That went down as a lost fumble.“
“Last week we had three turnovers that really took us out of the game,” Martin said. “You go anywhere and you turn the ball over three times, you’re going to have a hard time winning the game.”
➤➤ MU was limited to 199 yards of total offense against the Gophers.
➤➤ James Gardner and Kenny Young combined for 28 receptions this year. The next highest catch totals were by Jack Sorenson (17 receptions, 132 receptions and 1 TD). Luke Mayock owns six catches for 68 yards.
➤➤ Sam Sloman’s 37-yard field goal at Minnesota was Miami’s first FG attempt of 2018.
➤➤ De’Andre Montgomery had 15 tackles, while sophomore Mike Brown notched 10 stops in his first start.
➤➤ In his overview of BG, Martin observed, “They’ve got some talented athletes. They can move the ball and score very quickly on offense. They’ve got a new defensive scheme, and they’re playing better on the defensive side of the ball.”
➤➤ The Falcons offense was productive in two ot BG’s three outings this year. After Falling at No. 24 Oregon 58-24 to open the season, Bowling Green was limited to 158 yards of total offense by Maryland, who posted a 45-14 win at BG in Week Two action.
The visiting Terrapins nearly shut down Bowling Green’s run game, allowing just 15 rushing yards on 28 attempts. Falcons QB Jarrett Doege did manage to complete 17 of 27 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.
➤➤ BG led 14-10 at intermission, but Maryland scored one third quarter TD and added four more in the final period.
➤➤ Eastern Kentucky outgained the Falcons 498-388 last week, but the Falcons were plus-two in turnovers.
➤➤ EKU rode the run, accumulating 389 rushing yards against Bowling Green. Which had 130 of its own. Sophomore Andrew Clair led the way with 90 yards (1 TD) on 25 trips.
Three different Falcons registered double-digit tackles against Eastern: junior Jerry McBride III (14/ 9 SOLO), senior Brandon Harris (13/5 SOLO and sophomore Kholbe Coleman (10/4 solo).