Eric Finllea picks up yardage against Army. Miami finished last among FBS teams in rushing. File photo by Mike Smith.
A lot of things can happen in a year – some good, some bad. If anybody can appreciate that fact, it is the Miami RedHawks.
One year ago, thanks to a little Thanksgiving holiday help from Kent State , the RedHawks found themselves holding a ticket to the MAC Championship game. MU put itself in a position to get that ticket with a late season run, and the RedHawks proceeded to justify their appearance with an upset win over a highly-touted Northern Illinois squad.
With a MAC title already in hand, the RedHawks added to their glory with a GoDaddy.com Bowl victory that made them the first Division I team in NCAA football history to follow a double-digit loss season with a double-digit win campaign.
With two talented quarterbacks among a bevy of returnees, Miami was a narrow media preseason pick to repeat atop the MAC East. Not only did the RedHawks fail to repeat, however, they stumbled into a losing campaign with a 4-8 overall mark. That included a 3-5 MAC record that relegated the Red and White to a fifth place finish in the seven-team MAC East.
With no post-season play in the offing, coach Don Treadwell and staff will have time to concentrate on at least three “R’s” that might lead to more “W’s.”
In no particular order, the top three “R’s” would be: Reviewing, Recruiting and Rejuvenating. A fourth “R” might be re-tooling.
Some factors contributing to the 2010 fall are apparent, while others less discernable. In any case, one of the critical steps to improvement will be a thorough review – looking at what went well, what didn’t, and why.
In the spirit of review, the following touches on some of the issues from 2010.
1. A NEW STAFF/SYSTEM – Life is about change, and so is sports. But change is not always smooth, and there may have been a few bumps along the RedHawks road in 2011. How much “road work” will be undertaken to facilitate a smoother ride in 2012 remains to be seen.
2. SCHEDULE – Miami ’s non-conference schedule is typically somewhere between difficult and brutal. However, the RedHawks were 1-3 in non-conference play both in 2010 and 2011. So that is pretty much a wash.
As far as conference play is concerned, the 2010 RedHawks may have had a somewhat easier path for a couple reasons. First, the 2010 Miami squad drew Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan in inter-divisional play. Miami won both in close games: 27-20 over CMU and 28-21 over Eastern. Those two opponents combined for a 6-10 record in MAC competition.
By contrast, the 2011 RedHawks crossed over to face Toledo and Western Michigan – two extremely powerful teams with outstanding talent and schemes. Together, UT and WMU went 12-4 during 2011 conference play.
Toledo, whose only conference loss was to Northern Illinois , finished ninth in the nation in points scored, 14th in rushing and 28th in passing. The Rockets rolled early on the way to a 49-28 win over MU.
Western Michigan, who lost to Toledo , NIU and Eastern Michigan, defeated both MAC East opponents and edged Miami , 24-21, in the RedHawks final home game. The Broncos, led by quarterback Alex Carder and wide receiver Jordan White, were 8th in the country in passing yardage and 18th in points scored.
While cross-divisional play resulted in a negative two-game reversal for Miami , there was also a two-game drop within the division. MU won a key matchup (23-3) at home in the regular season finale against Temple in 2010, but the Owls edged MU, 24-21, in Philadelphia this year. Miami pulled out a 24-21 victory in the fog at Bowling Green in 2010. Quarterback Matt Schilz and the Falcons posted a 37-23 win at Yager Stadium Sept. 24 of this year.
It was the conference loss to Bowling Green that began to alarm RedHawk fans. Miami had played relatively well in losing efforts at No. 21 Missouri (17-6) and Minnesota (29-23) the previous two weeks. A conference loss to open the home slate, followed by a 27-0 whitewash at home by rival Cincinnati the following week, began to raise concerns.
Miami seemed to right the ship – somewhat – with wins in four of the next five games and was still in the division race. But unlike the four-strait-win finish MU fashioned in 2010, the 2011 RedHawks closed with three straight losses (24-21, 24-21, 21-14).
PROBLEM AREA - SPECIAL TEAMS Four of Miami’s losses were by seven points or less. Another loss was a nine-point deficit. Close games are where special team play can be critical.
In part because off a turnover in personnel, the RedHawks struggled in some special team areas.
Trevor Cook converted 16-of-23 field goal attempts (69.6 percent) and 25-of-27 PAT tries (92.6 percent) in 2010. With the departure of Cook, Mason Krysinski took over place kicking. He made 30-of-33 PATs (90.9 percent) but was just 2-of-6 on field goals.
The RedHawks appeared to eschew field goal attempts on some occasions, including several in the red zone, this season. As a result, they came away with no points in a number of those instances.
With a running game that finished last in the nation and a kicking game that was erratic, the RedHawks finished last (MAC) in red zone offense, getting points on 28-of-39 trips, with 27 touchdowns and one field goal. Their missed opportunities included one fumble, one interception and six “lost on downs.”
Punting was inconsistent during the 2010 season and an adventure over the first several games, when punt-game problems led to big plays for opponents.
PROBLEM AREA – RUSHING As mentioned, Miami finished last in rushing among all 120 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams. The numbers weren’t actually all THAT great in 2010, when MU rushed for 98.3 yards per game (12th in MAC). But the offensive line got relatively healthy toward the end of the year and running back Thomas Merriweather became a key contributor in the RedHawks stretch drive, championship game and bowl game.
With the departure of Merriweather, Miami found itself filling the position by committee as the season began. Erik Finklea (92 rushes, 328 yards, 3.6 ypc) and Justin Semmes (41 rushes, 170 yards, 4.1 ypc) showed some promise at times, but injuries and other factors limited their contributions. Injuries along the line only made things worse, and the Redhawks slipped to 73.8 ypg.
PROBLEM AREA – LINE The offensive line deserves credit for helping quarterback Zac Dysert put up great numbers. Those numbers weren’t coming at the expense of other areas. If anything, they were “in spite” of other areas. What could Dysert have done if a defense believed the RedHawks could hurt them with a run?
Certainly, MU has some talent up front. Brandon Brooks has earned Second Team All-MAC honors in each of the past three years. Injuries and depth, however, have been major issues. When former defensive player JoJo White was suddenly unavailable, struggles quickly ensued.
In addition to the rushing difficulties, MU also struggled with protection. Miami gave up a league worst 47 sacks – this in spite of the fact that Dysert was often able to scramble away from pursuers. Akron, the 12th-ranked team, allowed 38 sacks. But the Zips also passed less.
Line play and depth problems along the line are not new for MU, but it is an area that will have to be addressed. Ultimately, the RedHawks need to improve on an offense that ranked 10th in scoring (MAC) at 21.3 ppg.
PROBLEM AREA - TURNOVERS During the “down” years just before and immediately after Haywood became head coach, Miami struggled mightily in one of the most important statistical areas – turnover margin.
The RedHawks jumped to second best with a plus-11 in 2010 and fell to ninth in 2011 with a minus-four mark.
PLUSSES Treadwell has often commented on the contributions of the Miami defense. At times it struggled to contain the “running threat” quarterback that is becoming popular across college football. This was more evident early in the season. For the most part, however, Miami’s “D” acquitted itself relatively well. It finished third (MAC) in scoring defense (22.9) after a fourth place finish in 2010.
Led by sophomore defensive pack Dayonne Nunley, a First Team All-MAC selection, the passing game defense managed a fifth place finish (125.8 ypg). MU was fourth in sacks, registering 25 on the year. The RedHawks had 35 sacks in 2010, but that was in 14 games.
Miami’s rush defense was sixth (168.5 ypg) after a fourth place finish (127.6 ypg) in 2010.
Where it counts most – the scoreboard – MU finished third with a 22.9 ppg average. That was slightly better than the 23.9 ppg average of 2010.
With the loss of veteran stalwarts like linebackers Jerrell Wedge and Ryan Kennedy (Third Team All-MAC), Miami will need to find productive replacements in order to maintain a defensive edge next season. Until the RedHawks develop a productive running game, its defense will likely be on the field for extended periods.
On the other side of the ball, Miami has some playmakers. Dysert failed to get a spot on the All-MAC teams, but the RedHawks finished second in pass offense with a 299.1 ypg average (3rd, 253.7 ypg in 2010). He was second (MAC) in passing average (behind Carder) with 292 ypg, seventh in pass efficiency (143.7) and third in total offense (302.3 ypg).
With the departure of Armand Robinson following the 2010 season, Dysert turned to familiar targets – sophomore Nick Harwell and senior Chris Givens. Harwell earned First Team All-MAC honors in a league with many good receivers and talented quarterbacks to get them the ball. His 14.7 ypc was best among the MAC leaders. Harwell totaled 97 receptions and 1,425 yards in 11 games.
Givens, when healthy, was a solid possession receiver. As he moves on, Dysert will turn to players like junior Andy Cruse, as well as freshmen Dawan Scott and David Frazier.
THE OTHER “R”s
RECRUITING/RETOOLING Treadwell and staff are working on what will be their first “full” recruiting class. While freshmen typically have limited impact, it is an important step for the progress of the program. Treadwell has frequently expressed his desire to have a balanced offense. To get there, Miami will need to have some success on the recruiting trail.
REJUVENATING
Among the tasks ahead is rebuilding confidence and establishing a “team on a mission” atmosphere. A lot can happen in a year, and for the RedHawks football program, that year has already started.
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