Nov. 12, 2009
Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery 
By Drew Davis
OXFORD, Ohio - In the second-to-last game of the 2009 season, Miami went into halftime tied at 14, but turnovers helped Bowling Green pull away in the second half for a 35-14 win at Yager Stadium Thursday night.
Quarterback Zac Dysert threw for 259 yards and scored twice on the ground and linebacker Jerrell Wedge added to his Mid-American Conference lead in tackles for a loss with two and a half to lead the RedHawks (1-10, 1-6 MAC).
The Miami defense blocked a field goal, forced a fumble from the punter and forced four 3-and-outs, but the offense committed five turnovers in the loss.
The RedHawks fumbled on the opening kickoff and just two plays later, the Falcons (5-5, 4-2 MAC) took the 7-0 lead on a 19-yard reverse by the MAC's leading receiver, Freddie Barnes.
On the team's second drive, Miami moved the ball with little resistance from the BG defense, facing only two third downs, converting them both, on the season-long 89-yard drive. Dysert made an athletic play, throwing as he was hit while rolling to his right and connected with tight end Jordan Stevens in the flat, who took it 13 yards to the three-yard line. After two running plays moved the ball just one yard, Dysert dropped back, found no one open and took it himself up the middle, diving for the touchdown. Trevor Cook kicked the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
On the following drive, Miami's defense shut down the Bowling Green offense, forcing three straight incomplete passes and hurrying the punter before he could get the kick away, giving the ball back to Dysert and the Red and White offense at the 15-yard line.
The RedHawks however, were unable to capitalize on the field position as Dysert's throw to the end zone to start the second quarter was intercepted by the Falcons. Before the interception, Dysert was 7-for-8.
On the seventh play of the ensuing drive, Bowling Green quarterback Tyler Sheehan passed to Barnes down the left sideline for a 59-yard touchdown.
Over the next 4:17 Miami's offense used a 10-play, 85-yard drive to tie the game at 14-14 on a Dysert 1-yard sneak up the middle. Earlier in the drive Bratton took a handoff 32 yards to the Bowling Green 1-yard line for Miami's longest run from scrimmage of the season.
On Miami's final drive of the first half, Bowling Green linebacker Cody Basler stepped in front of a Dysert pass and returned it to the Miami 3-yard line. The RedHawks stuffed the Falcons on the next two plays as they tried to punch it into the end zone. On the third play of the drive, Barnes lined up as the quarterback in the wildcat formation and ran to the right. Miami cornerback, Brandon Stephens wrapped him up at the 1-yard line and forced a fumble that bounced into the end zone and was recovered by RedHawk linebacker, Evan Harris. The play sent the teams to the locker room tied at 14-14.
On just the second play of Miami's first drive of the second half, Dysert's pass attempt was picked off by Bowling Green strong safety P.J. Mahone at the Miami 17-yard line. Barnes then broke away from the Miami defense on the resulting possession and caught a two-yard touchdown pass to put the Falcons ahead 21-14.
The Falcons had an opportunity on their next drive to widen the gap, but Miami defensive lineman Austin Brown blocked a field goal to keep the RedHawks within seven, his second blocked field goal of the year.
Bowling Green extended its lead to 28-14 with 1:20 remaining in the third period on a screen pass to Willie Geter that went 20-yards for a touchdown.
Early in the fourth quarter the RedHawks drove to their own 43-yard line, but the Falcons broke through the Miami offensive line to sack Dysert and force a fumble.
Bowling Green finished up the scoring with a 13-yard run by Chris Bullock with 2:06 remaining in the game. Miami put together a 46-yard drive on the ensuing possession, but stalled out at the Bowling Green 20-yard line with 18 seconds to play in the game.
Anthony Kokal and Wedge led the Miami defense with a game-high 13 tackles apiece. Receiver Jamal Rodgers caught eight passes for 81 yards, tying a career high, and senior running back Andre Bratton, playing in his first game in just over a month, totaled 65 yards rushing and receiving to lead the offense.
Miami closes out the season Wednesday, Nov. 18 when the RedHawks host Buffalo at 6 p.m.
