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RedHawks' struggles continue in 28-7 loss at OU

MU, now 0-7, opens with a long touchdown drive, but then has all kinds of problems.

Miami football notes -- RedHawks ‘surprised’ by Bobcats’ ground game

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 2:20 AM Sunday, October 18, 2009

ATHENS — And the misery continues.

At first, for 11 minutes of the opening quarter, everything clicked for Miami University’s football team. The RedHawks had it figured out, that was obvious. They were ready to explode. That “Ka-boom!” was going to come any second now.

And yes, it came.

It was the sound of another game blowing up in the faces of the RedHawks, whose 28-7 loss to the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Peden Stadium was their 12th in a row.

“It was a total team loss. We didn’t play very well on offense, defense or special teams,” said Miami coach Michael Haywood.

Miami fell to 0-7 and 0-3 in the Mid-American Conference, and clinched its fourth straight losing season, the first time that has happened 67 years.

And it’s a team that looked perfect on its first drive against the Bobcats, 10 plays and 80 yards of pure pleasure for Miami fans. Redshirt freshman quarterback Zac Dysert scored on a 1-yard keeper after completing passes of 24 and 26 yards to Armand Robinson.

Miami’s defense also started well. Ohio got a couple first downs, then was forced to punt.

But then everything went wrong in just about every possible way. Over the final 49 minutes, Ohio outscored Miami 28-0, had the advantage in total offense 359 yards to 116, blocked a Miami punt, intercepted two Miami passes and scored two of its first three touchdowns with the aid of Miami penalties.

Miami had picked up a couple first downs on its second drive and was on the move again when Ohio cornerback Shannon Ballard intercepted a deep pass by Dysert at the Bobcats’ 17-yard line.

Then the Miami defense, which had played so well a week earlier in the 16-6 loss at Northwestern, collapsed.

Donte Harden erupted for a 41-yard gain on the first play following the interception. On the second play, he ran for another 33 yards.

Two plays later, Miami safety Jordan Gafford had Bobcats quarterback Theo Scott wrapped up for what apparently was going to be a sack for a big loss. Gafford kept his arms around Scott for a few seconds. Scott didn’t go down, then Gafford released Scott. It appeared Gafford thought the play was over or that Scott had thrown the ball.

It wasn’t. He hadn’t. Scott put some space between himself and Gafford and threw an incomplete pass, but Miami was penalized for roughing the passer.

“I told Gafford if you’re not sure (whether the official has blown his whistle), reach up and strip the ball,” Haywood said.

Two plays later, Harden’s 1-yard TD run tied the game, and the rest was smooth sailing for the Bobcats (5-2, 3-0 MAC).

»Ohio’s ground game a surprise Notes on B3

»Get RedHawks online Journal-News.com/miami

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I was in the program in the 50's. Miami had great coaches,good football teams and highly rated academics (HARVARD OF THE MIDWEST). this reflected on the administration.

Today the football is a joke! I saw an item that stated miami is listed as one of the top ten most radical schools in the country. The academics are not as outstanding today.

As in the past progress or failure starts with the administration. THAT SAYS IT ALL!!!!!!

L.Sowder
2:54 PM, 10/19/2009

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Being a season ticket holder for the past several years and coming from the Ara P, and Johnny Pont era, it's truly dissapointing to see Miami's football program go down the drain. The only reason I bought my season tickets this year was to evaluate what this coach can do with another person's recruits. My continued backing for football is no doubt going to go bye-bye.

Classman of 1956
9:31 AM, 10/19/2009

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I agree Haywood shouldn't have been hired to begin with. It's hard for Miami to find good recruits from Ohio with in state teams like UC and Ohio State. Not to mention our MAC teams (BG, Toledo, Central Michigan) We will never get back to the days of Roethlisberger.
Maybe we can win against Eastern Illinois, if we lose send Haywood home.
Let's just support Miami Hockey.

Col
8:05 PM, 10/18/2009

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t--you also forgot to mention he was the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame for Charlie Weiss last year when they were really stinking it up. Did you notice that Notre Dame's offense has really taken off since he left? Unfortunately, I think the days of the "Cradle of Coaches" in football are over..... Miami should just stick to hockey.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!
7:43 PM, 10/18/2009

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frenchie, have you looked at the bios of these coaches? OC and DC out of college football for several years, recruiting coordinator and QB coaches were either in administration or the high school ranks last year. The hiring of Haywood and his staff is awful and shows that the only thing the MU administration did was pacify the NAACP

t
7:36 PM, 10/18/2009

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