Coach wants to see more from RedHawk D

Miami looks to get on track; each side will feature frosh signal-callers.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 1:27 AM Saturday, September 26, 2009

OXFORD — Although it isn’t all the fault of the defense that the 46 points per game allowed by Miami University is the second-most in the nation, coach Mike Haywood said he wants improvement from that side of the ball.

“I think we had 21 missed tackles on defense,” Haywood said of his team’s 48-26 loss at Western Michigan last week. “And that’s not counting three missed tackles on the 40-yard punt return.”

When the RedHawks try to secure their first victory under Haywood tonight, Sept. 26, at Kent State’s Dix Stadium in a game that will feature two freshman quarterbacks, they also will try to keep the scoreboard from blowing a fuse. So far Miami has not allowed fewer than 42 points in a game.

It starts with Miami’s rushing defense, according to Haywood.

“Defensively, we’ve got to stop the run,” he said. “Anytime teams can run the football against you, they can have a lot of success.”

Miami ranks 96th in the nation in rushing defense but is even worse — 100th — in pass defense.

“You can’t allow guys to complete third-and-10 (passes),” Haywood said. “That’s not acceptable.”

It hasn’t all been bad news.

The Miami coach has liked what he has seen from his sophomore middle linebacker Jerrell Wedge, who is tied for fifth in the Mid-American Conference with 30 total tackles, including 11 at Western Michigan.

“Wedge seems to be always around the football,” Haywood said. “On the majority of occasions he’s executing his assignment. He’s got good instincts.”

Haywood also was impressed by strong-side linebacker Anthony Shoemaker, a true freshman who made his first start at WMU.

“Shoemaker goes in and gets a sack in his first collegiate game and did a really decent job,” he said.

Kent State has a passing game that is undergoing change. Freshman Spencer Keith is likely to start for the second straight week in place of sophomore Giorgio Morgan or senior Anthony Maguzi, both of whom have been hampered by injuries.

“They’re faster than what I thought they were,” Haywood said of Kent State’s offense. “They’ve got a back-up quarterback in there, a freshman. He’s good. He can throw the ball.”

Miami’s own attack has a new quarterback in redshirt freshman Zac Dysert, who is replacing senior Daniel Raudabaugh as the starter.

Haywood said he will try not to make things too complicated for Dysert, who has seen limited action in two games.

“We’re going to reduce some of his reads,” Haywood said.

Contact this reporter at

(513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.