DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — For the second straight week the Miami RedHawks' defense will face a team which shares its quarterbacking duties between a runner and a passer.

They can only hope for a similar outcome.

Miami can wrap up sole possession of the Mid-American Conference East Division title and clinch a bowl-worthy record with a victory this afternoon against the Ohio Bobcats, a team with two field generals.

"We're going to see two different quarterbacks," Miami head coach Shane Montgomery said. "One is more of an athlete, the other is more of a threat throwing the football."

The "athlete" is sophomore Theo Scott, Ohio's second-leading runner who averages 4.5 yards per carry.

The passing threat is senior Brad Bower, who has thrown for 1,689 yards.

Last week Miami played mostly against Akron quarterback Chris Jacquemin, who completed ony 12-of-33 passes. When the Zips replaced him with their other quarterback, Carlton Jackson, for one series, Jackson's fumble resulted in the only points of the game and the only touchdown of Craig Mester's life.

"We're going to see, on paper, first a running attack," Montgomery said. "Kelvin McRae is one of the top runners in the league this year."

The Ohio tailback has gained 1,322 of his team's 1,729 rushing yards.

Although the Bobcats are out of the East Division title race, Montgomery doesn't intend to start taking teams lightly now.

"It's going to be a tough football game," he said. "They've got a tough team, coming off the MAC championship last year. They've lost a lot of close games. They could have been playing for the MAC championship as well as us."

Montgomery said Miami's offense will have to be very alert against the Bobcats.

"We're going to get a lot of different looks, as much as we saw from Akron last week as far as different schemes," the Miami coach said.

"They're going to put a lot of pressure on the quarterback," he added.

Miami's offensive line, led by stalwarts like Charlie Norden, Dave DiFranco and Stevce Meister, have allowed 26 sacks in 11 games this season, a far cry from the 49 allowed in 12 games last fall.

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

Today's game

Who: Miami RedHawks (6-5, 4-1 MAC East) at Ohio Bobcats (5-6, 3-4 MAC East)

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Peden Stadium, Athens

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450), WFTK-FM (96.5), WONE-AM (980)

TV: None

Series: Miami leads 51-30-2 (Ohio won the last meeting 34-24 in Oxford, Nov. 24, 2006)