Miami University’s football squad is hoping to become a better second-half team in the second half of the season.

The RedHawks are 3-4 heading into Saturday’s Mid-American Conference East Division game against unbeaten Ohio at Yager Stadium. In those four losses (to Ohio State, Boise State, Cincinnati and Bowling Green), MU has been outscored 107-16 after halftime.

“If you look back to most of our games, by halftime you’d watch the score and say, ‘Well, Miami’s every bit in this game with the opportunity to move forward,’ ” Miami coach Don Treadwell said Tuesday during his weekly press conference.

“We’ve just got to be able to put two halves together collectively — offensively, defensively and special teams. I think that will truly make a difference as we finish out the home stretch.”

The RedHawks have only won one second half in 2012, outpointing Southern Illinois 16-7 en route to a 30-14 triumph. MU tied Massachusetts (13-13) and Akron (21-21) after the break.

Miami’s biggest halftime deficit was 21-3 at Ohio State.

“I have to give credit to the talented teams that we’ve played,” Treadwell said. “I think the unique thing that’s positive is that our kids are still believing and still working hard at doing what we’re asking them to do. That’s as great a starting point as any.”

MU took a 37-12 beating at Bowling Green on Oct. 13 and is coming off a bye week. Treadwell said it helped his troops recharge their batteries.

“You sense an appreciation of that opportunity to kind of exhale and take a deep breath, both coaches and players,” Treadwell said. “We appreciate the fact that the bye week came at this time of the year, relatively speaking halfway through your season. We’ve played in some very physical games.”

The RedHawks’ latest test will be a big one. OU is 7-0 and ranked 23rd nationally, and the Bobcats have six straight wins against Miami . The RedHawks still own a 51-35-2 advantage in the series.

Ohio is dealing with a number of defensive injuries, yet is ranked second in the Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin (plus 2.14).

“Here we go again,” Treadwell said. “I think it’s the fourth team in the Top 25 we’ll be playing this year. We really respect the way they have earned their current ranking. We think that it’s neat in the big picture of the MAC to have a team in the Top 25. It speaks to the competitive nature of our conference.”

The quarterback showdown between OU’s Tyler Tettleton and MU’s Zac Dysert is a high-quality one. Treadwell said Tettleton, the son of former major league catcher Mickey Tettleton, is a force.

“We’re facing another quarterback, much like Ohio State’s quarterback and Cincinnati’s quarterback, who can beat you both with his feet and with his arm,” Treadwell said. “He’s a nightmare, quite frankly, for a defense.

“He can make moves just like a running back and break a defender down in space and just leave him standing there. Then the minute you just start trying to contain him, he’s so accurate with his throws that he just says, ‘OK, if you’re going to try to stop me running, I’ll sit back and pick you apart.’ “

Injury report: Miami will not be at full strength for Saturday’s game. Wide receiver Dawan Scott and running back Jamire Westbrook are expected to return to action after missing the BGSU contest, but defensive tackle Austin Brown will likely miss his sixth straight game and strong safety Justin Bowers will miss the rest of the year after undergoing knee surgery.

Treadwell noted that freshman guard Brandyn Cook (hand) probably won’t return this season either. He hasn’t played since Week 1.