Blitz could pose issues for Miami

Ohio likes to stay aggressive on defense, which RedHawks will have to control.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 1:16 AM Saturday, October 17, 2009

OXFORD — The blitz is likely to be a central theme of the Mid-American Conference game between Miami University and Ohio University today, Oct. 17.

Both coaches are wary. Miami’s Michael Haywood is concerned about what might happen when the Bobcats blitz. Ohio’s Frank Solich is concerned about, well, the same thing.

“With the Bobcats being a 35 percent blitzing team,” Haywood said, “we’re going to have to (identify the blitzes) and make the proper blocks.”

The Miami coach has reason to dwell on the pressure Ohio is likely to put on his young quarterback, Zac Dysert. The RedHawks have been burned by 17 sacks and six turnovers in their last two games.

And now they’re trying to end an 11-game losing streak against a team which forced five turnovers in its 19-7 victory over Akron last week.

The Bobcats have some playmakers in their linebacking corps.

Junior Noah Keller is tied for fifth in the MAC in tackles for loss. Senior Errik Ejike is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles, though he missed last week’s game with a lower leg injury. Redshirt freshman Melvin Payne was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt and recovering the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.

But Solich has some concerns of his own. All seem to revolve around Dysert, who, in his three starts, has passed for 799 yards and rushed for 158.

Solich was asked about his defensive strategy against Dysert. “... you’ve got to be very careful of the design of your blitzes, and maybe even the amount of the times you blitz,” Solich said, “because he’s going to hurt you as much with his legs as he is with his arms.”

The Bobcats’ offense is guided by senior quarterback Theo Scott, who has passed for 1,051 yards, 10 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

Today’s game

Who: Miami RedHawks (0-6, 0-2 MAC) at Ohio Bobcats (4-2, 2-0)

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Peden Stadium (24,000), Athens

TV: None

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450), WPFB-AM (910), WPFB-FM (105.9), WONE-AM (980)

Series: Miami 51-32-2

Online: Get live updates from today’s game on our blog or follow Pete Conrad on twitter at twitter.com/peteconrad

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