Running game in hands of ex-fullback

Justin Semmes started year as blocker, now he’s MU’s strongest rusher.

Gary Stelzer/Gary Stelzer Miami's Justin Semmes is wrapped up by Akron's Devonte Morgan Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 at Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 12:08 PM Saturday, November 12, 2011

OXFORD — Slowly but surely Miami University’s running game is creeping toward respectability.

It isn’t time to celebrate quite yet. The RedHawks, who will play the Western Michigan Broncos in Wednesday night’s home finale at Yager Stadium, remain at the bottom of the NCAA team rushing rankings.

Miami is 120th out of 120 teams in rushing yards per game (77.2) and tied for last with Rutgers in yards per rush (2.4).

The numbers are a bit distorted because of the number of times Miami quarterbacks, mainly Zac Dysert, have been sacked (35 for minus-260 yards). All those negative yards are counted in rushing statistics.

But there’s also been a lack of consistency by the RedHawk tailbacks, who managed just 32 yards on 14 carries against Bowling Green, 39 yards on 25 carries against Cincinnati, 18 yards on eight carries at Toledo.

Miami has used six different tailbacks this season (Erik Finklea, Justin Semmes, Tyrone Jones, Chrishawn Dupuy, Dan Green and Orne Bey), and Semmes is the first to give the RedHawks strong performances in back-to-back games.

“I think he seized the opportunity,” Miami coach Don Treadwell said Friday morning during his weekly press conference. “He’s become a very positive factor in our offense.”

Semmes, who started the season as a blocking fullback, then became a pass-catching fullback, now has blossomed into a tailback who retains the no-nonsense, straight-ahead style of a fullback.

“You’re not always going to get blocking the way you want them blocked,” Treadwell said. “He has been able to lower his shoulders and drive his way up the field.”

Semmes ran for 100 yards on 24 carries last week in the 35-3 win over Akron and added another 69 yards on 15 carries in the 24-21 loss at Temple on Wednesday.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or Pete.Conrad@coxinc.com.

Next game

Who: Western Michigan Broncos (5-5, 3-3 MAC) at Miami RedHawks (4-6, 3-3 MAC)

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Yager Stadium (24,286), Oxford

TV: ESPN or ESPN2

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

Online: Journal-News.com/miami

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