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RedHawk freshmen have clout

Haywood: The Miami football team ranks No. 3 in nation in terms of playing freshmen.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 4:17 AM Tuesday, October 27, 2009

OXFORD — When Michael Haywood speaks with an extra edge of enthusiasm in his voice these days, there is a good chance the Miami University football coach is talking about one of his freshmen.

“It’s the young players once again who are stepping up and making big plays,” Haywood said Monday, Oct. 26, at his weekly news conference, “and it’s the young guys who are going to see the majority of the playing time. ... They’re getting better every week.”

Haywood noted that a recent survey among college sports information directors finds that Miami ranks No. 3 in the nation in terms of playing freshmen.

Of the 22 positions on offense and defense, 15 have a true freshman or redshirt freshman at first or second string.

This is quickly becoming a freshman-dominated team.

It was redshirt freshman quarterback Zac Dysert, for instance, who passed for 348 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Miami’s 27-22 loss to Northern Illinois last week.

“Zac’s getting better every week,” Haywood said. “He studies the game, and it’s helping him. He comes in whenever he doesn’t have class and sits down and studies tape.”

Although Dysert has started only five games, he ranks sixth in the Mid-American Conference in both passing yardage and total offense.

A true freshman who came on strong last week was strong safety Justin Bowers, who had 2.5 tackles for loss and also forced a fumble.

Bowers made his first start when Miami’s defense opened with a formation that had five defensive backs, and then he filled in for junior co-captain Jordan Gafford, who, according to Haywood, suffered a “stinger” — an injury which causes pain and tingling from the neck down to the arm and fingers.

Gafford is “day-by-day,” Haywood said. “He seems to be doing a lot better.”

There are many other Miami freshmen who are making an impact.

True freshman tailback Roman Lawson had 104 yards of total offense last week.

True freshman linebacker Evan Harris ranks fifth on the team with 39 total tackles.

True freshman center Brad Bednar has started all eight games.

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Andy Cruse has made 10 catches in the last three games.

Projected starters for this weekend’s game against Toledo also include redshirt freshmen Will Diaz and Mike Johns at defensive end, true freshman Austin Brown at defensive tackle and redshirt freshman Matt Kennedy at offensive tackle.