MIAMI FOOTBALL

RedHawks face Big challenge in Ohio offense

MIAMI AT OHIO (7 P.M., ESPN2)
By MIKE SMITH
Two of the MAC's top teams will meet in Athens this weekend, and there is plenty on the line. 
Ohio and Miami are long-time rivals, and hard-fought competition between the two is typical - regardless of the sport. In addition, Tuesday's football matchup . . . 

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. . . could also have a lot to say about who ultimately reaches the Dec. 6 MAC Championship game . 
Miami (4-0 MAC) is the only MAC team with an unblemished conference record. However, MU must fight through Ohio, Toledo and Buffalo before finishing at home against Ball State. Danger waits at nearly every stop. Losses to Ohio or Buffalo would not only drop the RedHawks to 4-1 and make them part of a November scrum, it would put them at a head-to-head disadvantage with either of the winners. 
Ohio's upset loss at Ball State Oct. 4 was certainly a setback, but it has since won two straight. Still, two of their final three opponents -- Western Michigan and Buffalo -- remain in the race for Detroit themselves. 
The RedHawks and Bobcats split two meetings last year. Miami prevailed 30-20 Oct. 19 in Oxford. However, Ohio dominated the day in a 38-3 championship game rematch. It was the 'Cats first MAC football title since 1968. 
• • • • •  MIAMI (5-3, 4-0 MAC) took a punch but got back up to rally for a 26-17 win over previously MAC-undefeated Western Michigan last week. 
• Limited to three field goals in the first two quarters, Miami trailed 14-9 at intermission and 17-9 after three periods. Led by Dequan Finn, the RedHawks scored 17 fourth quarter points to pull out their 11th straight regular season conference win. 
• Finn completed 18 of 30 passes totaling 260 yards with one TD. He also ran 11 times for 52 yards and the go-ahead score. 
• After tossing five interceptions in his first six games as a RedHawk, Saturday was the second straight game in which Finn did not throw an interception. Speaking to the media on Monday, Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin was effusive in his praise for Finn's recent play. He was particularly happy about the RedHawks turnover-free play against a formidable Bronco defense. 
• Sophomore WR Cole Weaver had his best game as a RedHawk, recording nine catches and 96 yards against WMU. 
• Junior Kam Perry caught four balls for 98 yards, including a big 50-yard reception to set up Miami's winning touchdown. Perry's 612 receiving yards leads MU and was accomplished on 22 catches (27.8 ypc). 
• Although senior RB Kenny Perry is out for the season, Miami ranks fifth in rushing (166.6 ypg) thanks to the elusive Finn and powerful senior Jordan Brunson. The latter had 90 yards on 13 carries Saturday. For the season, he has team highs in carries (87) and rushing yards (395). Finn is right behind with 81 carries for 384 yards. 
• Kicker Dom Dzioban earned MAC Player of the Week honors after booting four field goals against WMU. The final kick covered 51 yards and sealed Miami's comeback win. 
• The RedHawks are third in scoring defense (21.4 ppg) (123.5 ypg), third against the run( 123.5 ypg) and fifth in defending the pass (203.1 ypg).
• Normally very frugal in defending kick returns, Miami surrendered 218 yards on seven returns by Devin Miles Saturday.
• In each of the last two outings, MU's defense surrendered multiple touchdowns relatively late in the second quarter. Most were on long passes or set up by long completions. 

• • • • • OHIO (5-3, 3-1 MAC) seems to have regrouped nicely after stumbling at Ball State Oct. 4. After rolling up 48 points in a (48-21) win over Northern Illinois, the 'Cats scored 21 against Eastern Michigan last week.
• Playing in Ypsilanti, EMU was able to stay relatively close. Ohio led 14-7 afer a scoreless second quarter. The Eagles pulled even with a third period TD, but Ohio tallied two TDs before a final Eastern Michigan touchdown with 1:39 remaining. 
• The Bobcats outgained EMU 487-371 overall.
• Quarterback Parker Navarro completed 23 of 28 pass attempts, good for 315 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted twice. 
• Navarro also ran 16 times for a total of 63 yards.
• Sieh Bangura led all rushers with 100 yards (2 TDs) on 19 trips. 
• Bangura's 91.0 ypg average is second among MAC rushers.
• Chase Hendricks (10 catches, 112 yards 2 TDs) and Rodney Harris II (6 catches, 103 yards) led Ohio receivers against EMU. 
• Hendricks leads all MAC receivers, averaging 7.1 catches and 100.6 ypg. 
The Bobcats rank second among MAC teams in scoring (29.3 ppg) and are seventh in scoring defense (24.8 ppg).
• Ohio's offense ranks first in rushing (209.1 ypg) and third in passing (225.6 ypg). 

FINAL THOUGHTS:
After a mid-season loss at Miami last year, Ohio dominated MU in a championship game rematch. The defending champs fell at Ball State Oct. 4 but have the offense purring again. 
The biggest question is: Can Miami's defense stop Navarro and Bangura? They are the catalysts. 
The answer last December was "no," as Navarro threw for 235 yards and two TDs. He also ran for another 67 yards and two scores. Bangura wasn't there, but Anthony Tyus III gained 151 of Ohio's 232 yards rushing. He also scored a TD. 
The Miami offense will also have to do better after scoring just three points last December. 
Turnovers could be huge. What few MU has committed in recent weeks have been damaging. 
The RedHawks have also hurt their cause with late second quarter miscues, especially on long pass plays. Still, they managed to win both games as part of their current five-game win streak. 
Graduation and portal movement have made this Miami team a different group. Injuries have also been a factor. However, the RedHawks once again have one of the MAC's best defenses. Likewise, special teams has again been a big plus. If a healthy Finn can continue to produce -- and avoid costly turnovers -- the offense should be able to put up some points. That is particularly true if Brunson has a good night. 
It's the first week of November MACtion, and the Battle of the Bricks brings together a major rivalry with plenty on the line.