By Peter Marx

Contributing Writer

A banged-up Miami University football team dropped its first conference game of the season to Bowling Green, 37-12, on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

The RedHawks, who entered the game winning their last seven games at Doyt Perry Stadium, were without offensive starters Jamire Westbrook at running back and Dawan Scott at wide receiver. MU coach Don Treadwell said both players were “just banged up.

“You are not going to put a guy in if you don’t feel that they are capable of playing close to their maximum,” Treadwell said. “With those two guys, they practiced this week, but it just wasn’t a situation where we felt comfortable putting them in the game.”

The loss of those two playmakers and some movement on the offensive line resulted in a rough day for the offense.

Miami (3-4 overall, 2-1 MAC) finished with 256 yards of total offense, while BGSU had 486. Zac Dysert was sacked six times and finished the game completing 17-of-31 passes for 198 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Josh Harvey, who had started the last three games at left tackle, did not play, but it wasn’t due to injury. Treadwell said he did not see action due to “good competition on the o-line.” As a result, Brad Bednar moved to left tackle and JoJo Williams started at center.

“(Harvey) was out all week, so we got used to it without him in there,” Dysert said. “I thought the o-line stepped up in practice, but we had some miscues today.”

Miami, which trailed 17-6 at halftime, pulled within five points of the Falcons (4-3, 2-1 MAC) on its first drive of the second half.

Dysert connected with Harwell on a 64-yard pass down the left sideline, which set up the ‘Hawks at the BGSU 1-yard line. A couple plays later, the senior signal caller found Andy Cruse across the middle for a 2-yard score. The RedHawks failed to convert the 2-point try.

Cruse had seven catches for 54 yards, while Harwell finished with seven grabs for 117 yards.

Miami tallied just 3 yards rushing. Robert Williams III had five carries for 27 yards.

“We started off alright,” Dysert said. “We went down and got the quick field goal and after that we kind of stalled out a little bit. We got another field goal before halftime, but we didn’t execute very well. And we had those turnovers late and that kind of stuff will kill you.”

Dysert threw two second-half interceptions. Both were tipped. Williams lost a fumble late in the game.

Miami is 1-4 on the road and 2-0 at home

The RedHawks, who have a much-needed bye-week this week, host Ohio Saturday, Oct. 27, at 3:30 p.m.

“We got a lot of bumps and bruises over the last couple weeks here,” Treadwell said. “This will be a good time for the off-week and it will give us a chance to refocus on the big picture.”