OxfordPress.com

The Miami RedHawks played their final preseason scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Yager Stadium, offense vs. defense. The offense outscored the defense 21-6.

The big picture

Maybe it doesn't matter that the defense lost 10 of its 11 leading tacklers from last year. After allowing six points on the first play, the defense held the offense scoreless on nine straight possessions and came up with a number of big plays, including a 91-yard interception return for a touchdown from redshirt freshman cornerback Jeff Thompson and an interception by sophomore strong safety Robbie Wilson.

Play of the game

The first play. Junior quarterback Mike Kokal throws a long fade pass to senior wideout Ryne Robinson, who catches it along the sideline, breaks a tackle and is home free for a 70-yard TD.

Player of the game

Junior defensive end Trenaine Sills. He had four tackles, including one for loss, and blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by Nathan Parseghian in the first half. The blocked football was picked up sophomore linebacker Clayton Mullins, who returned it 60 yards before being tackled at the 8 by Tom Crabtree.

Quotable

Tom Crabtree, 6-foot-5, 241-pound sophomore tight end. "I was blocking, doing my job, and heard the sound of the ball being blocked. I turned around and saw Clayton running. Luckily, I got to him. Our summer conditioning helped out right there."

Stock rising

Redshirt freshman wide receiver E.J. Morton-Green. One of about 10 wideouts vying for playing time, he stood out on the last three possessions, making three catches for 69 yards and a touchdown (a 37-yard pass from Kokal).

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