INSIDE SLANT

Miami’s Zac Dysert has been one of the shining young stars in the Mid-American Conference this season. In just eight starts, he ranks third among conference quarterbacks with 2,417 passing yards.

But RedHawks coach Mike Haywood doesn’t want to shun Daniel Radabaugh’s contributions to the program. The senior has passed for 5,251 yards in his career, but none have come in the past seven games as he’s taken a back seat to Dysert.

Radabaugh could get to finish his career on the field Nov. 18 when Miami plays Buffalo in its final game.

“He may get some playing time,” Haywood told the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News. “At some point, he may get a series or two.”

Dysert took over for Radabaugh in the fourth game this season. Dysert passed for 330 yards or more in four of eight starts.

To Radabaugh’s credit, he’s been a good influence in Dysert’s development, helping from the sidelines in games and during practice.

“He could have reacted the other way and didn’t,” Haywood said. “He’s been really good for Zac.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Miami’s 13-play, 89-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter against Bowling Green Nov. 12 was its longest of the season.

• RedHawks QB Zac Dysert has the third-most passing yards among all Mid-American Conference quarterbacks with 2,417. The total is impressive since Dysert has started just eight games.

Series History:   Miami leads series 10-1 (the Bulls won their only game in the series 37-17 in 2008)

Scouting The Offense:   Miami was in position to get a win Nov. 12 against Bowling Green but it played poorly in the third quarter after being tied 14-14 at halftime. The RedHawks were outscored 14-0 in the third period as Bowling Green held a 113-4 edge in total yards. Miami had minus-3 yards before gaining seven on its final play of the quarter.

Scouting The Defense:   Miami’s defensive performance in a 35-14 loss to Bowling Green on Nov. 12 was credible despite the lopsided score. The RedHawks held the Falcons to 349 yards of total offense and recovered two fumbles. Bowling Green’s offense came into the game averaging almost 400 yards a game.

Quote To Note:   “There are several seniors in that class who have done a tremendous job. Jeffrey Thompson has been a great leader for us in the defensive backfield with his quality play. Brayden Coombs has really stepped up and played better than he’s ever played. I compliment those guys on the way they’ve played.”—Miami coach Mike Haywood on his class of 11 seniors who will play their final games Nov. 18.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Buffalo at Miami, Nov. 18—This is a matchup of the past two MAC East representatives in the conference championship games. Their combined 4-17 record shows how far the programs have slipped in a short time.

Keys To The Game:   Miami has every reason to play free and easy in its final game. The RedHawks have played one of the toughest schedules in the country, with two foes (Cincinnati and Boise State) being undefeated and ranked in the top 6 in the nation.

Players To Watch:  

LB Jerrell Wedge tied for game-high tackles Nov. 12 against Bowling Green with 13 stops, the second-best total of his career. He had 2.5 tackles for loss to give him 18 for the season, which leads the Mid-American Conference.

WR Jamal Rodgers tied a career-high by catching eight passes for 81 yards.

FS Anthony Kokal tied Wedge for a team high in tackles against Bowling Green with a career-high 13 stops. Kokal has 99 tackles this season, fifth high among MAC players.

Roster Report:  

• Miami true freshman Austin Brown blocked his second field goal of the season when he deflected a 34-yard Bowling Green field-goal attempt in the third quarter. Brown also had a block against Northwestern.

• RB Andre Bratton played for the first time in a month and picked up 65 yards rushing and receiving. His 32-yard run in the second quarter was Miami’s longest rushing play of the season.

• Backup RB Roman Lawson missed his third straight game with a knee injury.