RedHawk D has good day

Great MU defensive effort not enough

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 12:56 PM Sunday, October 11, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. — The Miami University defense had a better-than-decent day in the RedHawks’ 16-6 loss at Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Northwestern got a 46-yard field goal from Stefan Demos early in the first quarter, and on the final play of the period quarterback Mike Kafka capped a 72-yard touchdown drive with a 6-yard run.

After that, the RedHawk defenders had it their way.

Northwestern’s only points over the final three quarters came after a fumble-recovery return in the third quarter gave the ball to the Wildcats at Miami’s 27-yard line.

Over the final 45 minutes, the Wildcats had only 209 yards of total offense, converted only 2-of-10 third downs, had a 40-yard field goal attempt blocked by true freshman Austin Brown, endured two straight jarring hits by junior Jordan Gafford which caused them to turn the ball over on downs, had a pass intercepted at the goal line by Anthony Kokal, were tackled for loss twice by Jerrell Wedge for minus-13 yards.

“The defense is making strides,” Gafford said. “With as many young guys on the defensive side of the ball as we have, you’re going to get better every week.

“Some weeks it’s a defensive battle,” he noted. “That’s kind of what it was today, and so the defense had to answer that call. I’m proud of how the guys played.”

None of the Wildcats broke a run for longer than 16 yards.

“I just want to run the ball,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “Obviously, we did not have the success we were hoping to have today. ”

It’s 11 and counting

An upset victory over a Big Ten school. That’s the kind of history the RedHawks wanted to make Saturday.

Instead, they made history with their 11th straight loss. This is now, officially, the longest losing streak in program history.

Miami last won a football game on Oct. 18, 2008, with a 27-20 victory at Bowling Green. The streak began seven days later with a hard-to-believe 54-21 loss at home to Kent State.

The record of 10 consecutive losses was established during the 1987 and ‘88 seasons and tied with last week’s 37-13 loss to Cincinnati.

Bratton injured again

For the third time this season and at least the fourth time of his career, Miami senior tailback Andre Bratton was forced to the sideline with an injury — this time with turf toe during the first quarter at Northwestern.

Bratton missed most of the 2007 season with a severe knee injury. He hurt a hamstring which limited his time on the field during the preseason and aggravated that injury after Miami’s opener with Kentucky, forcing him to miss the RedHawks’ second and third games.

A perfect punt play

Miami’s punting woes continued in the first half, with one exception.

Senior punter Chris DiCesare pinned Northwestern back on its 1-yard line when his 40-yard punt was knocked back by senior Jeff Thompson and downed by junior Geno Harris.

Two of DiCesare’s other three punts in the first half were short and low and had a net average of only 16.5 yards. He did better in the second half, pinning the Wildcats inside their 20-yard line twice.

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