Nov. 3, 2011
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OXFORD, Ohio--Sophomore wide receiver Nick Harwell posted his sixth 100-yard receiving game of the season and sophomore running back Justin Semmesran for 100 yards to lead the Miami University RedHawks (4-5, 3-2 MAC) to a victory over the Akron Zips (1-8, 0-5 MAC) by a score of 35-3.
Harwell became only the second wide receiver in program history to record six or more 100-yard receiving games in a season, with former RedHawk Martin Nanceaccomplishing that feat twice. Semmes, who had only four career rushing yards coming into this game, became the first Miami player to rush for 100 yards this season.
Miami scored the first points of the game on a 1-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Zac Dysert, his third rushing touchdown of the season. On the drive, Dysert was 3-of-4 for 68 yards, including a 31-yard strike to Harwell. It was the 10th time this season that Dysert and Harwell have connected on a pass 30 yards or longer. Sophomore place kicker Mason Krysinski'sextra point was good, making the score 7-0 with 6:18 left in the first quarter.
Three plays later, Akron's Jawon Chisholm fumbled after a 7-yard gain and the ball was recovered by senior linebacker Jerrell Wedge. Miami failed to put any points on the board, however, Dysert's fourth punt of the season pinned the Zips inside the 5-yard line.
With 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Dysert connected with junior wide receiver Andy Cruseon a 22-yard touchdown pass to put the RedHawks up 14-0. The play before the touchdown, Miami converted on fourth-and-three, its second attempt at converting on fourth down of the game, the first resulting in Dysert's punt.
The RedHawks ate up nearly six and a half minutes of the second quarter with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a Justin Semmes touchdown run to bring the score to 21-0. Semmes had 11 carries for 60 yards during that drive.
Miami struck again with 5:39 left in the half with a 52-yard touchdown pass from Dysert to Harwell, extending the RedHawks' lead to 28-0. The catch gave Harwell his sixth 100-yard receiving game this season.
On the very next play from scrimmage, Miami junior safety Justin Bowersintercepted his first career pass to give the RedHawks the ball again, this time at the Akron 15-yard line. Miami failed to capitalize on the outstanding field position, failing to convert on a fourth-and-one to give the Zips the ball back with 2:15 left in the half.
The score of 28-0 held for the remainder of the quarter, giving Miami its largest halftime lead of the season. The RedHawks played exceptionally well on both sides of the ball, holding Akron to 69 net yards and recording two turnovers while picking apart the Zips' defense as well.
Miami's defense continued to overpower Akron's offense in the third quarter, forcing one three-and-out and adding a stop on fourth-and-one within the first three possessions. The third quarter ended without either team finding the end zone, leaving the score at 28-0.
On the very first play of the fourth quarter, Semmes ran it in from the 2-yard line for his second touchdown of the night, giving Miami a 35-0 lead. The run gave Semmes 100 yards on the day, the first RedHawk running back to reach 100 yards rushing since Thomas Merriweatherran for 100 in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in January.
At 12:56 of the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Austin Boucherentered the game. Dysert's final numbers on the night came to 12-of-19 for 215 yards passing and two touchdowns, in addition to 32 rushing yards and a touchdown.
With 4:12 remaining in the game, Akron marched down to the Miami 7-yard line and scored its first points of the game, a 30-yard field goal by A.J. Fox to cut Miami's lead to 35-3.
The score of 35-3 held until the game was over, giving Miami its fourth victory on the season. Dysert, Semmes and Harwell led the way on offense, while Wedge and senior safety Anthony Kokalheld things down on defense with nine tackles and eight tackles, respectively.
The win also puts the RedHawks in a tie for first place in the MAC East Division with the Ohio Bobcats. Miami's next game is Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. against the Temple Owls and will be televised on ESPN.
