Defensive Line

There’s a defensive end from Illinois who’s causing a ruckus behind the line of scrimmage in the MAC – and his name isn’t Larry English.

Miami-Ohio’s Joe Coniglio has three tackles for a loss this season, including two sacks. But, the Rockford native isn’t the only one getting around the offensive line for the RedHawks.

Nose tackle Martin Channels leads the group with 3.5 tackles for a loss. Add in tackle Sean Redwine and left end Travis Craven, and you get two more tackles for a loss a piece. In total, the defensive line rotation has produced 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Yet the RedHawks are allowing 157.2 rushing yards per game, ranking them the No. 76 rushing defense in the nation. In return, their starting defensive line hasn’t produced enough pressure with only 4.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry.

Grade: B-

Linebackers

For the first time in the 24-year history of the Butkus Award, which is given to the best defensive player in college, one school has had all three of its linebackers nominated.

It wasn’t USC, Texas, Georgia or even Ohio State which grabbed this distinction. Instead, Miami (Ohio) linebackers Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic mark this nominated trio.

Hudson, who plays in the middle, leads the MAC and is tied for seventh-best in the nation with 55 total tackles. The senior also has one broken-up pass, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Playing outside of Hudson has been Mullins and Bostic. Clayton Mullins, a senior, has 42 tackles, seven of which were for a loss. Bostic, who was suspended from the RedHawks’ game against Temple last week, has 21 tackles in four games.

But these linebackers are not the only celebrities at Miami. Former Miami Dolphin coach Don Shula’s grandson, Chris Shula, replaced Bostic last week against Temple. The outside linebacker has 13 tackles in the lost against the Owls.

Grade: B+

Secondary

Free safety Jordan Gafford is still questionable for Saturday’s game. The opening-day starter has missed the last two games due to a stress fracture in his leg.

However, Miami (Ohio) has been surviving without the junior. The RedHawks have the second best pass defense in the MAC, limiting its opponents to 174.0 passing yards a game. This effort has given Miami the No. 24 passing defense in the nation.

The one question for this group is what can it do against a strong passing offense. So far this season the RedHawks have faced the nation’s No. 100, 102 and 116 passing offenses in Michigan, Temple and Vanderbilt respectively.

Miami held these opponents to an average of 124 passing yards per game. However, Miami allowed the No. 26 passing offense in the nation, Cincinnati, to complete 20-24 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns.

Grade: B

Special Teams

Punter Jake Richardson leads the nation with an average punt of 48.1 yards per kick.

Against Michigan, the senior had seven punts for 377 yards, an average kick of 53.9 yards. His longest boot of the day was a 74-yarder, one of five kicks that traveled 50-plus yards.

The RedHawks have also found success with placekicker Nathan Parseghian. The senior, and brother of a former Miami (Ohio) placekicker, is 8-for-9 this season, and a perfect 9-for-9 in PATs.

Sophomore Jamal Rogers is averaging 20.9 yards per kick return for Miami (Ohio) this season, while sophomore Eugene Harris is averaging nine yards per punt return.

Grade: A-