MiddletownJournal.com

A look at how the Miami RedHawks football team performed Thursday night in a 14-13 season-opening victory over Ball State.

Pass offense: D

Ball State was determined to force Miami to run the ball by putting pressure on the RedHawks' passing game, and that's what happened.

In scenes that were too familiar, Miami senior quarterback Mike Kokal found himself under the gun and was sacked three times.

Kokal's numbers were uncharacteristically weak: 14-of-24 passing for 118 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions, including a crucial pick with 4:16 left in the game that could have, but didn't, seal Miami's fate.

Run offense: A

How sweet it is. This wasn't a perfect performance, but senior Brandon Murphy and the offensive line — which played much of the game without injured right guard Matt McKeown — came through when it had to.

The RedHawks averaged 4.7 yards per carry, about double last year's figure. Murphy finished with 123 yards and Andre Bratton also looked good, picking up 24 yards on four carries.

The line was superb in the closing minutes. The holes were there, and so were Murphy's all-out cuts to the right and left.

Pass defense: A

Ball State quarterback Nate Davis, who led the Mid-American Conference in pass efficiency as a freshman last year, threw 36 passes and finished with only one touchdown and fewer than 200 yards.

Run defense: A

The Cardinals, like the RedHawks, worked hard on their running game during the offseason and it showed, with MiQuale Lewis picking up 91 yards and 25 carries.

But Ball State couldn't get the yardage on the ground when it mattered most.

On third-and-1 with just over two minutes remaining, the Cardinals got stuffed for no gain, leading to a punt, a punt return, a touchdown and a victory.

"To do what our defense did today, to hold them to one touchdown, is a tremendous accomplishment," Miami coach Shane Montgomery said. "(Linebacker) Joe Hudson made a sensational play on the last third down, giving us a chance to return that last punt."

Special teams: B

This was heading for an F thanks to Trevor Cook's two missed field goals, but then he redeemed himself by scoring the game-winning point on the final PAT, made possible by Eugene Harris' 56-yard punt return.

And let's not forget Jake Richardson's 45.0 average on five punts, including a 63-yard monster that settled at the Ball State 3-yard line in the third quarter.

Intangibles: C-

The RedHawks will want to watch those penalties, especially the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. Six penalties for 111 yards ... that's a bit much.

— Pete Conrad, Staff Writer