Defensive Line

For most defenses, the key to success starts up front, with the linemen.

Miami (Ohio) ranks 112th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 35.43 points per contest.
Part of that may be a product of the RedHawks non-conference schedule: they have faced Kentucky, Boise State, Cincinnati and Northwestern. Boise State and Cincinnati are ranked No. 4 and 5 in the BCS standings respectively and No. 7 and 4 in scoring offense.

Another part is the lack of pressure that the RedHawks are getting on opposing quarterbacks this season.

Miami only has six sacks as a team this season.

NIU’s coaching staff isn’t about to take the RedHawks defensive unit lightly, however.

“They’re a much better defense than being a team without a win would indicate,” NIU offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said. “That’s something that we’re stressing to our guys, is that ‘hey, you’re in for a dogfight.’”

GRADE: D+

Secondary

A look down Miami (Ohio)’s defensive depth chart may create confusion. With players listed at positions like MLB/DB and RE/LB/DB, one could be forgiven for scratching one’s head.

No matter how the RedHawks line up, nothing is going to change the fact that their top four tacklers are listed at defensive back positions.

The No. 2 and 3 tacklers, Jordan Gafford and Anthony Kokal respectively, are true defensive backs at strong safety and cornerback.

But good tackling can’t cover up broken coverages, and Miami is ranked 55th in the nation in passing defense, allowing 212 yards per game through the air. The RedHawks have only intercepted five passes this season, and two of those picks were by linebackers.

GRADE: C-

Linebackers

Player turnover is an obstacle for any college program.

One can only hope his program has the right players in line to replace those that came before him.

Miami (Ohio)’s middle linebacker Jerrell Wedge has taken that challenge to heart.

The sophomore leads the RedHawks in total tackles at 64, 10 of which have been for a loss. His 1.43 tackles for a loss per game are good enough to rank him at No. 24 nationally.

Wedge’s partners in crime, outside linebackers Evan Harris and DeAndre Gilmore, have totaled 32 and 31 tackles, respectively.

The linebacking corps had trouble backing up the defensive line in run support, however, as the RedHawks are giving up just over 173 rushing yards per game. NIU isn’t convinced, though.

“The statistics don’t mean as much as the production of what they’ve done the past couple weeks,” NIU offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said. “You better not look at the one stat that everybody wants to look at first, and that’s wins and losses. It doesn’t correlate at all to what kind of defense they have.”

GRADE: C

Special Teams

Placekicker Trevor Cook hasn’t been given the opportunity to thrive this season.

Miami (Ohio) has one of the worst offenses in the nation, and the inability to drive into opposing territory has prevented the junior from doing his job.

Cook kicked only once in last week’s game against Ohio, but it was an extra point. On the season, Cook has attempted only three field goals and is 5-for-7 on extra points.

The punting game hasn’t been there for the RedHawks, either. Punter Chris DiCesare has kicked Miami into 119th in the nation in net punting.

GRADE: D

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