RedHawks ready to build on last season

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By Pete Conrad

Staff Writer

OXFORD — There has been a 180-degree shift in atmosphere at Miami University football practice. Last year's in-your-face style of Michael Haywood has been replaced by the calm demeanor of first-year coach Don Treadwell.

"We're not so scared of getting yelled at all of the time," junior quarterback Zac Dysert said with a grin.

The RedHawks hope that will be the only change from a remarkable turnaround season that ended with a Mid-American Conference championship and bowl victory.

"Coach Haywood was a motivator who pumped us up for a fight," explained Dysert, who remembers all too well the 2008 and '09 seasons which brought a grand total of three wins. "I think we can motivate ourselves now. We know what we need to do now as a team in order to repeat.

"The team has the same focus as we did last year," he said. "I think we're on the right track."

Offense

Most teams are happy to have one outstanding quarterback. The RedHawks have two.

What they don't have is a proven running back.

Dysert made the All-MAC second team as a sophomore and has a pro-quality arm. Austin Boucher showed uncommon presence as a redshirt freshman in 2010. When he was called upon to fill in for the injured Dysert he led Miami to four straight wins and was named MVP of the GoDaddy.Com Bowl.

Miami also has a way of stockpiling talented receivers and this year is no exception.

Nick Harwell scorched the Ohio Bobcats with a school-record 219 yards, Chris Givens is a proven clutch receiver whose miraculous 31-yard catch at Northern Illinois led to the game-winning touchdown, and a pair of true freshmen from Immo High School in Columbia, S.C. — David Frazier and Dawan Scott — have a chance to be impact players.

The problem is Miami's running game. Former linebacker Erik Finklea had some decent runs in summer camp, but like about five other tailbacks in the mix has practically no real-game experience in taking handoffs.

"That's an area of concern," Treadwell said, "finding someone who might step forward as a running back."

"There is an opportunity for a lot of guys to prove themselves with our running game," offensive coordinator John Klacik said. "But it starts up front with our line."

That line has proven strength, led by two-time All-MAC performer Brandon Brooks, plus two-year starters Brad Bednar and Matt Kennedy.

Defense

Some of the best defensive talent in the MAC wear Miami's red and white: junior defensive tackle Austin Brown, senior middle linebacker Ryan Kennedy (when he's healthy, senior outside linebacker Jerrell Wedge, sophomore cornerback Dayonne Nunley and junior safety Pat Hinkel.

This is without doubt a team strength.

"We've got a defense with nine returning starters … We're a young team, but we're an experienced young team," Treadwell said. "To know what it's like going into game day is a huge advantage.

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