The Mid-American Conference's program with the richest history might be showing signs of a resurgence.
Things may be looking up for Miami QB Zac Dysert, after the RedHawks bounced back from a loss to Florida with a victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Miami RedHawks have been down in recent seasons. But the Mid-American Conference's program with the richest history might be showing signs of a resurgence. After an impressive defensive performance in an opening-week loss at Florida, Miami (1-1) rebounded with a home-opening 28-21 victory over Eastern Michigan.
Known in recent years as a pass-happy offensive program, the RedHawks changed their stripes and turned to a running game to get past Eagles (0-2). Miami rushed for 181 of their 345 yards of total offense, with tailback Thomas Merriweather rushing for 105, including a nine-yard TD burst in the fourth quarter for the winning score.
It was his third rushing TD for the game, helping atone for an early ejection vs. Florida for a flagrant foul.
"Merriweather is the type of player that really responds to hard coaching," Miami head coach Michael Haywood told the media after Saturday's win. "The harder you coach him, the better he performs. Right now Merriweather is getting all [the coaching] he can handle."
On the mend: Just two games into the season, two of Kent State's elite players -- defensive end Monte Simmons and tailback Eugene Jarvis -- are injured. Both were hurt in the opener against Murray State. A week ago, Kent coach Doug Martin announced Simmons (broken leg) was out at least four weeks. But he kept the news of Jarvis' groin injury quiet until Saturday vs. Boston College.
The 5-5, 170-pound senior, who missed most of 2009 with a lacerated kidney, will not return until Kent plays its MAC opener at Miami. Kent plays at Penn State this week, which will give the Golden Flashes' offensive line more on-the-job training. It will also require Kent to find a reliable punt returner. Without Jarvis, Kent fumbled three punts against Boston College with two leading directory to scores in a 26-13 loss.
Is there a gleam? The Akron Zips may have a bright spot with their running game. Despite losing to lowly Gardner-Webb, 38-37, in overtime, the Zips did deliver a pair of 100-yard rushers in Nate Burney (119 yards) and Alex Allen (110 yards, 3 TD). Also freshman fullback Austin Bailey from Maryland, a load at 5-11, 240 pounds, showed his worth with some plow-driving lead blocks.
The Zips ran out of nearly every kind of formation on Saturday. But instead of imposing the run game ate, the Zips tried to pass and were off the field after five plays. G-W went on to tie the game, and ultimately win.
By the numbers: MAC attendance once again was disappointing. At the top of the list stands Ohio, which had 19,455 fans for the second straight week. Western Michigan drew 19,327 for its home opener. Northern Illinois had 18,046.
Temple, playing its second straight home game in a big showdown on TV against league power Central Michigan, could only draw 15,152. Miami had 12,857 for its home opener. Akron had 10,046 playing at home for the second straight week. Ball State had 9,110. Not one MAC team drew a crowd of 20,000 or more.