OxfordPress.com

OXFORD — For the first time in five years, the Miami University football team is coming off an open week, seven days of respite that head coach Shane Montgomery hopes will breathe new life into a team which hasn't come close to hitting its stride.

"It came at a good time for us," said Montgomery, whose RedHawks (1-3) open their Mid-American Conference schedule Saturday, Oct. 4, at home against Temple.

"We were really banged up coming out of Cincinnati," he said. "Dave DiFranco, Brandon Brooks — we would've had some guys who would've been questionable if we'd had a game last week."

DiFranco and Brooks suffered nagging injuries in the 45-20 loss to the Bearcats on Sept. 20, but both are expected to start on an offensive line that has seen several of its members change positions this year.

DiFranco began the season at left guard but will make his third straight start at left tackle. Bob Gulley, who injured his right knee four weeks ago at Michigan, will return to the lineup Saturday at left guard after starting his first two games at left tackle.

Montgomery said he switched Gulley to a new position so he wouldn't have to shuffle the rest of the line. "We're just trying to eliminate moving people around again."

DiFranco was moved to left tackle, Steve Sutter was switched from left tackle to right tackle, and Nate Williams was moved into the lineup at left guard following Gulley's injury. Now Williams will return to his backup role, replaced by Gulley, and everyone else will stay where they are.

"We got some things done (during the open week)," Montgomery said. "We had our first teams go against each other to work on some fundamentals.

"I think our kids are ready," he added. "They should be well rested. I look forward to seeing our kids play."

Will it be Stewart?

Montgomery said he isn't taking it for granted that Temple will start redshirt freshman Chester Stewart at quarterback for a second straight week.

Stewart replaced senior started Adam DiMichele, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first series against Penn State in a game the Owls lost 45-3 on Sept. 20.

DiMichele had started in Temple's 24-17 victory against Miami last Oct. 20 but suffered a broken leg in the second quarter and missed the rest of the season. He was replaced by Vaughn Charlton, who completed 9-of-13 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Now Montgomery isn't sure whether the RedHawks will see Stewart or Charlton at quarterback even though the Owls reportedly are trying to redshirt Charlton, who has yet to play this fall but is listed on the depth chart as the backup.

Montgomery said Stewart "did some good things" in Temple's 7-3 loss to Western Michigan last week, but added that "he struggled to throw the football. He's very athletic. But we have to be ready for any changes they may make from last week."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.