Where: Peden Stadium (24,000), Athens, Ohio.
Series notes: Miami leads, 52-39-2, but Ohio leads, 23-22-0 at Athens. The RedHawks have lost four straight games and 10 of the last 11 games to the Bobcats. Miami hasn't won at Athens since a 49-31 victory in 2003.
Coaches: Miami, Chuck Martin, nine seasons, 88-38, 14-31 in four Miami years; Ohio, Frank Solich, 152-88, 94-69 in 13 Ohio seasons.
Stat pack: Miami – QB Gus Ragland 96-180, 1,398 yards, 12 TDs, 4 ints, or Billy Bahl 33-66, 470 yards, 2 TDs, 2 ints; Kenny Young, 566 rushing yards, 5.3 avg., 4 TDs; WR James Gardner 32 catches, 681 yards, 6 TDs; LB Brad Koenig 64 tackles, 41 solo; Ohio – QB Nathan Rourke 97-174, 1,210 yards, 10 TDs, 3 ints; RB A.J. Ouellette 747 rushing yards, 6.2 avg., 6 TDs; WR Brendan Cope 26 catches, 347 yards, 2 TDs; LB Quentin Poling, 70 tackles, 31 solo.
Local flavor: Sr. CB Bradd Ellis, Lebanon; Jr. CB Cameron Gunnels, Mason; So. WR DL Knock, Springboro; Fr. RB Jake Neatherton, Miamisburg; So. LB Austin Clack, Tippecanoe; Sr. LB Cody Grilliot, Northmont; Fr. CB Ilyaas Motley, Centerville; Fr. CB Xavior Motley, Centerville; Jr. TE Connor Brown, Miamisburg;
The facts: Miami's Kenny Young was named the MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 23, but Ohio swept the other two awards. Fifth-year senior linebacker Chad Moore won the defense award after picking up his third interception and recording his second forced fumble of the season while making five solo tackles in the Bobcats' 48-3 win over Kent State. Sophomore placekicker Louie Zervos connected on field goals of 43 and 34 yards and was 6-for-6 on points after touchdown. … Ohio has scored 48 points in each of its last two games and at least 42 points in five … Ellis went into last week leading the MAC with 13 passes defended. … The Bobcats are 6-of-7 on converting fourth downs and 38-for-40 in scoring on red zone possessions, including 33 touchdowns.
Quote: Solich during his weekly media session on the Miami-Ohio "Battle of the Bricks" rivalry: "It's important to our fans, our student body and the community, as it is to Miami. When I got here, it was made clear that was our main rival, so I jumped on board. It made sense to do that. You guys know me, that I work on approaching every game the same way. It only takes one game where you're supposed to win, where you should win, and you don't win to understand that. We're serious about every single game that's on the schedule. The Miami games seem to be really important to a lot of people, so I made it important to myself. We've worked to uphold our end of the rivalry. It's always been a good, hard-fought, physical football game that is already decided on a few plays here an there."
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