RedHawks rumble to tie for first in MAC East Division

Miami uses 168 rushing yards to grind out 35-3 victory over Akron.

Miami fullback Justin Semmes (46) is pursued by Akron defenders Nico Caponi (58) and Brian Wagner (34) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in Oxford, Ohio. Semmes rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns as Miami won 35-3.

AP photo Miami fullback Justin Semmes (46) is pursued by Akron defenders Nico Caponi (58) and Brian Wagner (34) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in Oxford, Ohio. Semmes rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns as Miami won 35-3.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Veterans shine for RedHawks
4/29/12
Miami notebook: Badin grad fighting for receiver spot
4/29/12
Dutch Lions fall in home opener on bizarre goal
4/29/12
Silverbacks get win, remain undefeated
4/29/12
Flyers’ Bury tosses 4-hitter
4/29/12
> More sports headlines

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 9:01 AM Friday, November 4, 2011

OXFORD — With the rain coming down Thursday night the Miami University football team went back to its roots.

The RedHawks ran the ball, mostly straight up the middle behind a bruising fullback-turned-tailback, and plowed past the Akron Zips 35-3 at Yager Stadium, their fourth victory in the last five games.

The win moved Miami (4-5, 3-2 in the Mid-American Conference) into a first-place tie with Ohio in the MAC East Division. Akron fell to 1-8, 1-5 in the MAC.

Sophomore Justin Semmes, a 230-pound fullback who came into the game with three career carries for 4 yards, resembled Bob Hitchens slogging his way at old Miami Field in the early 1970s. Semmes ran 24 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

“One of the neat things that transpired this week, Semmes had a very good week of practice,” Miami coach Don Treadwell said. “He got a chance to in the ballgame today and he answered the bell.

“I think Semmes could smell it,” he added, “and he was running with good leverage.”

When the rain picked up in intensity in the second quarter, Semmes turned into a tailback and carried the ball 11 times on a 13-play, 80-yard drive. He capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the RedHawks a 21-0 lead.

“With the weather, things got modified,” Semmes said, “and they kept throwing me in there.

“I am a little bit tired,” he said with a grin. “Tomorrow I’m going to be feeling it.”

Miami, which is ranked last in the nation in rushing offense, finished the game with 168 yards on 48 carries.

The rain didn’t do much to dampen the aerial attack of Zac Dysert, who had tossed five touchdown passes in last week’s 41-13 win over Buffalo.

Against Akron, the sophomore quarterback passed for 215 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Almost all of his yardage (185) and both of his two touchdowns (22 yards to Andy Cruse and 52 yards to Nick Harwell) came in the first half.

Treadwell called the victory “a total team effort,” which he said “to a similar degree was like last week.

“We didn’t let the weather be a disruption,” the Miami coach pointed out. “It’s important to stay focused on task, just on the little things. We did that tonight.”

Akron avoided a shutout late in the fourth quarter when A.J. Fox kicked a 24-yard field goal.

Zips quarterback Clayton Moore completed only 3-of-19 passes for 42 yards. He was replaced by Patrick Nicely, who fared no better (4-for-13 for 48 yards).

Next game

Who: Miami RedHawks (4-5, 3-2 MAC) at Temple Owls (5-4, 3-3 MAC)

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Lincoln Financial Field (68,532), Philadelphia, Pa.

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450), WDBZ-AM (1230)

TV: ESPN

Share this article