He is solid, consistent and dependable. Flashy isn’t a word that fits Justin Bowers.

“That’s me,” the Miami University senior strong safety said. “I’m a role player. I’m just trying to do my job.”

Bowers has been a contributor from Day 1 in Oxford. He’s played in every game but one during his MU football career. He’s started, he’s come off the bench, he’s played special teams.

Today, he is a starter in Ron Carpenter’s secondary.

“Steady guy, always there, is going to get the job done for you, makes minimal mistakes,” said Carpenter, in his first season as the RedHawks’ defensive backs coach. “That’s what I need him to be.”

Bowers and Brison Burris began the year rotating at strong safety. Last Saturday in the Mid-American Conference opener against Massachusetts, Burris replaced D.J. Brown at free safety, and Brown joined Dayonne Nunley at cornerback.

The 5-foot-10, 209-pound Bowers responded to the new situation by matching his career high in total tackles with nine and came up with a huge interception early in the third quarter, returning the ball 23 yards. It was just the second pick of his career.

“Chris Wade tipped the ball for me, and I just got it and tried to go back to my running back days when I was in high school,” Bowers said. “I was ready. I watched film the whole week. I just felt like it was my time to play and get a chance to show what I can do.”

He likes the hitting part of his job. Bowers wants to reach double digits in tackles on game day before he leaves Miami. He thinks he’ll get there.

“I’m more of a tackler,” said Bowers, the only Tennessean on the roster (he’s from Murfreesboro). “I’m an OK cover guy, but I’m more of a tackler. That’s my game.”

Carpenter described him as “a consummate strong safety. He knows his run reads and how to get down there quickly to support the run. He’s better down in the run fit. He’s almost like a faster linebacker.”

The changes in the starting secondary were based on two things: No. 1, Brown feels more comfortable playing cornerback than free safety. No. 2, Burris is emerging as a force. He’s fourth on the team in total tackles (23) and may be Miami’s fastest player.

Chrishawn Dupuy and Marshall Taylor are in the secondary’s regular six-man rotation.

“I feel really good about them,” Carpenter said. “They’re not confused. It’s simple enough for them to just go out and play. And if you can just go out and react to what you see as opposed to thinking about what you see, it’s easy football.”

Brown and Nunley added interceptions against UMass, and Carpenter called the three-pick day “refreshing.” The RedHawks’ other three interceptions have been collected by outside linebacker Pat Hinkel.

Carpenter is MU’s all-time leader in interceptions with 16. Nunley, a junior, now has 10.

“He told me after the game, ‘Coach Carp, that’s 10,’ ” Carpenter said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, you’ve got six more to go. Let’s see if you can get it.’ I told him it’s time. It’s been 20 years, somebody needs to break it. I’ll be glad to be here on the field when he does.”

This week’s opponent, Akron, is averaging 340.8 yards per game through the air. The MAC is a pass-happy place, so Carpenter said he expects practically everybody to put a lot of balls in the air.

“We have a solid game plan,” Carpenter said. “We’re going to be complex, but not complicated. We’re going to tackle this team, slow them down, try to get them out of their rhythm and make some plays in the back end.”