DaytonDailyNews.com

BOWLING GREEN — The Miami RedHawks proved they can score a touchdown in the first period of a college football game.

But it took them 52 days — or 1 hour, 36 minutes and 32 seconds of actual playing time — to do it.

Miami came up with its first first-period touchdown this season when Andre Bratton scored on a 6-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 60-yard drive with 8:28 remaining in the first quarter during the RedHawks' 27-20 victory at Bowling Green Saturday, Oct. 18.

Bowling Green had scored the game's first points on a 31-yard field goal by Sinisa Vrvilo. Miami's opponents had scored 57 consecutive points in the first period.

The RedHawks had not produced a point in the opening period since Nathan Parseghian kicked a 37-yard field goal 3:52 into the season opener against Vanderbilt.

RedHawks roughed up

It was not a great day for Miami's physical well being.

Sophomore tailback Thomas Merriweather and left offensive guard Dave DiFranco both suffered ankle injuries in the first half. But both had X-rays taken at halftime and both were negative.

Merriweather missed most of the first half after hurting his ankle on the next-to-last play of Miami's opening touchdown drive, for which he had done most of the work, carrying five times for 29 yards.

With 21.5 seconds left in the half, DiFranco, who had suffered a slight shoulder injury a week earlier at Northern Illinois, was helped off the field.

He was back in the lineup for Miami's first possession of the third quarter, but then was replaced by red-shirt freshman Ken Staudinger and did not return.

With 10:08 remaining in the third quarter red-shirt freshman quarterback Clay Belton was hit in the left wrist while throwing a pass and was forced to the sideline.

Daniel Raudabaugh replaced Belton for one play, threw an incomplete pass, and Belton returned for the next series.

With 10:15 left in the fourth period Miami junior nose tackle Martin Channels was shaken up and helped off the field.

Deuces are wild

The RedHawks are tied for second place in the Mid-American Conference East Division with a 1-2 record. They are not alone.

Also trailing first-place Akron (2-2) by one-half game are Bowling Green, Buffalo and Ohio, all at 1-2.

"That's college football for you. It's crazy how the conference is going right now," said sophomore wideout Chris Givens, who led Miami's receivers with three catches for 71 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown reception.

"It's going to be a battle from here on out," Givens said.

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