Former Notre Dame Offense Coordinator Chuck Martin returns to South Bend as the Head Coach of the Miami (OH) Redhawks.
The Redhawks enter their matchup with the Fighting Irish with a 2-2 record with victories coming over Austin Peay and Central Michigan. They narrowly lost to Marshall and Cincinnati. Miami (OH) has only matched up with the Notre Dame football program once. Here is a brief preview of the Miami (OH) offense:
Quarterback
Junior Quarterback Gus Ragland brings three years of experience to the position. However, this is Ragland’s first year as the undisputed starter.
Thus far, Ragland’s passing percentage is relatively low. In the season overall, he is complete just 52.1% of his passes.
Ragland threw for 881 yards with 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
The Junior Quarterback is not much of a running threat. He is currently averaging 1.27 yards per carry. However, Ragland does have 2 rushing touchdowns.
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Running Back
Two Running Backs, Kenny Young and Alonzo Smith, receive the majority of the carries for the Redhawks. Young currently gets about 13 attempts per contest while Smith takes the ball about 16.67 times.
Junior Running Back Alonzo Smith averages 4.08 yards per rush. On the season, he rushed for 204 yards. He did not play against Cincinnati.
Fellow Junior Running Back Kenny Young has rushed for 220 yards with 2 touchdowns on the year.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Junior Wide Receiver James Gardner is currently the unquestioned leader of the group. Gardner hauled in 16 passes for 294 yards with 2 touchdowns in the first four games of the season. He began with back-to-back 100-yard games but faded in the previous two.
Redhawks Senior Ryan Smith represents the best receiving threat at Tight End. Smith has caught 10 balls for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Offensive Line
Jordan Rigg, Sam McCollum, Mitch Palmer, Jarrett LaRubbio and Matt Skibinski start for Miami (OH) along the Offensive Line. Every player except the Center started every game for the Redhawks. Indianapolis (IN) Center Danny Godlevske started the first game. However, Mitch Palmer has started for Miami (OH) the rest of the way.
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Overall
Based on Ragland’s statistics, when Miami (OH) runs the ball and controls the clock, they win. In their victories, he only threw the ball 23 and 19 times respectively. In the Redhawk losses, Ragland attempted 44 and 31 passes.
Miami (OH) will try to keep Notre Dame’s potent offense off-the-field. The Redhawks will run the ball and throw quick passes. They will keep the clock running to limit the Irish possessions. This could keep the game closer than most experts think. If Notre Dame blows out Miami (OH), it is because they stopped them for multiple 3-and-outs and forced turnovers.