OXFORD — From the end of 2009 to the early weeks of this season, the Miami University football team’s defense has transformed itself from one of the nation’s worst to one of the best.

The national rankings speak for themselves:

Last year the RedHawks were ranked 70th (out of 120 teams) in total defense, 101st in rushing defense, 104th in tackles for loss and 111th in interceptions.

This year they are 26th in total defense, 20th in rushing defense, 47th in tackles for loss and 17th in interceptions.

Chalk it up to the defensive front four.

During summer camp Miami senior strong safety Jordan Gafford predicted the team’s youngsters at defensive tackle and defensive end would be a force to be reckoned with. Among those not paying attention were the Florida Gators.

“I still think the defensive line is the biggest difference, especially with the running game,” Gafford said following practice Tuesday, Sept. 14. “The front four are doing a good job of holding their ground and getting penetration, and a lot of the interceptions are because of pressure.

“It all started up front during camp and it’s carried into the season,” he said. “Everybody else on defense is kind of feeling off of them.”

Miami’s front four opened the season by throwing Florida’s offense into a tizzy. At halftime the Gators had just 13 yards of total offense. By the start of the fourth quarter they were all the way up to 25.

National broadcasters watched bad snap after bad snap take place between Florida center Mike Pouncey and quarterback John Brantley and lamented the loss of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and the ineptitude of the current Gators.

Gafford has a different take on what transpired.

“The D-line was really coming off the ball well, playing physically,” he said. “I think they had the Florida offensive line confused and second-guessing themselves at times. I hope it carries on.”

The leader of Miami’s defensive line is sophomore Austin Brown, who already has 3.5 tackles for loss, including three in last weekend’s 28-21 victory over Eastern Michigan. It was Brown who, at Florida, spent the most time hovering across the line of scrimmage from Pouncey.

Miami coach Michael Haywood also praised the play of his linemen after they helped hold Eastern Michigan to 66 yards rushing.

“Jason Semmes, Morris Council, I think they did a really good job along with Mwanza (Wamulumba) and Austin Brown,” Haywood said.