MIAMI FOOTBALL

​Heavner takes helm as MU embarks on MAC play

Falcons pass rush is among challenges

By MIKE SMITH
After four weeks of football, the Miami RedHawks are down to their third quarterback. 
That's not exactly the way you want to start Mid-American Conference play, especially when the MAC's top sack specialist will line up for MU's opponent.

Redshirt senior Myles Bradley was something of a whirling dervish last week, recording a school record 4.5 sacks in a 14-6 Falcons loss to South Florida. He also forced two fumbles, recovered one and broke up a pass while earning Mid-American Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Whether Bradley plays against Miami remains to be seen. "He's still doubtful right now," Bowling Green Head Coach Eddie George said in his weekly press conference. "He's had a procedure done, so we'll have to wait and see."

In any case, pass rush pressure is particularly concerning when Miami senior Caleb Heavner is getting his first RedHawks start. It's also his first FBS-level start as Heavner previously played at D-II Fort Hayes State. While there, he threw for 3,398 yards and 24 TDs in 24 games. He also recorded 255 carries totaling 1,094 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. 

Heavner gets the start this week after . . . 

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. . . stepping in for injured David McComb late in Miami's 24-21 win over UConn. McComb, a redshirt freshman, was named QB1 in fall camp, shortly after Thomas Gotkowski went down with a season-ending injury. Both had been locked in a tight battle to start in Week I.

Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin was generally pleased with McComb's early play, noting he "can make all the throws" and was making significant progress as he gained experience.  Before his injury Saturday, McComb completed 19-of-29 pass attempts for 312 yards and two TDs. He also ran three times for a team-best 33 yards and one score. 

Heavner, meanwhile, completed all three of his passes, albeit for just 13 yards, but he got MU into position for freshman Brady Stidham's winning field goal. 

"The biggest thing is he started for two years in college," Martin said of Heavner. "He's been here for 10 months, and he's played (college) football before."

Staying relatively healthy and managing Miami's offense in a win must be goals 1-A and 1-B for Heavner this week. 

Bowling Green is 0-4 but put up quite a fight in last Saturday's 14-6 home loss to an undefeated South Florida (4-0) team. The Falcons led 6-0 after three periods thanks to a pair of Travis Kenner first half field goals (long of 43). USF finally broke through with a 44-yard TD drive in the fourth quarter. Luke Kromenhoek's 2-yard run and the PAT gave the Bulls a 7-6 edge. 

After a BGSU punt, South Florida drove 72 yards for another touchdown. When the Falcons moved across midfield on their final drive, USF stopped the hosts on downs to secure the win. 

Scoring has been a problem for Bowling Green, who ranks last among all 138 FBS teams in TDs (3) and scoring (8.2 ppg). While the Falcons are surrendering over 36 ppg., its only 17 ppg when lopsided losses to Nebraska (56-7) and Iowa State (55-7) are removed. 

South Florida committed the game's only two turnovers last week, and turnovers could be critical in this week's MU-BGSU matchup. 

Given a full week of preparation and working with Miami's first unit, Heavner should be in a better place than coming off the bench as he did last week. However, Bowling Green will likely bring significant pressure, including blitzes. The RedHawks could help themselves if they can get the run game untracked. 

Martin would like to see something like his team's ground game against Holy Cross. The RedHawks gained 201 yards on 40 carries that day. Last week, MU picked up 89 rushing yards on 29 trips. He remains convinced the offense has running backs and a line capable of success. MAC play presents a new challenge. After Bowling Green, who is last among MAC teams in defending the run (262.3  ypg) MU visits undefeated UMass. The Minutemen are allowing a paltry 74.8 rushing yards per outing (No. 1 MAC). 

MORE NOTES:
• Martin noted many RedHawks played through injuries last week. It could once again come down to game-day decisions on the availability of some players. 
• After two Kellan McLaughlin field goal misses against UConn, Martin brought on Brady Stidham for the critical 33-yard fourth quarter try. The freshman responded with a game-winning field goal. Asked about the decision Monday, Martin noted McLaughlin didn't seem to be "in a good place" at the time, but is certainly capable of working his way back out of the funk. In fact, he noted former Lou Groza award winner Graham Nicholson had issues during one fall camp but eventually found his kicking groove again.  
"We're got a lot of confidence in Brady, and I've got a lot of confidence in Kellan," Martin said. 
• Another freshman who came through with a big play was tight end Brendan Loftus. His 57-yard one-handed catch and run tied the game at 14-all heading into halftime. Considering MU was down 14-0 after UConn's first two possessions, it was part of a big second-quarter momentum swing. 
• Martin felt better about his defense after the first quarter last week. Miami gave up just seven more points during the final three periods. 
• Junior C.J. Young's leaping interception was a big part of MU's win. It accomplished two things.
-- Stopped a UConn drive
-- Gave MU's offense good field position at a critical time. While the RedHawks offense could not drive for a touchdown, it picked up enough yardage to kick a winning field goal. Javon Hammonds and Zhalyen Scott set up the pick with pressure on the quarterback. 
• Speaking about the Falcons defense as a whole, Martin observed, "They're  pretty salty on defense (but) they've given up some big plays. When they don't give up big plays, they don't give up anything. ... They do a really nice job on defense and they are very physical and they rush the quarterback and create havoc. They cover really well, and all three levels of their defense are really good."

Updated 10-1-26