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BG's loss boosts hopes of 'Hawks

Miami notebook

By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

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OXFORD - Bowling Green's loss at home to Western Michigan was Miami's gain.

The RedHawks learned of the upset during their game at Eastern Michigan, and knowing they could regain control of their destiny in the Mid-American Conference East Division race might have helped them squeeze out a 24-23 victory.

"When we found out that Bowling Green had lost, there was a lot of excitement in the locker room," coach Shane Montgomery said. "We were very fortunate to win that game, but with Bowling Green getting beat, now you can see a little more bounce in (the RedHawks') step this week."

Miami (4-3, 3-2), which plays Saturday at future MAC member Temple, is a half game behind the Falcons (4-3, 3-1) in the division. If Miami wins the rest of its conference schedule - including a game against Bowling Green on Nov. 15 - the RedHawks will win their third consecutive division championship.

"You want to put yourself in a position where you're playing meaningful games at the end of the year," Montgomery said.

Bowling Green quarterback Omar Jacobs, who leads the MAC in passing and total offense, is expected to miss the Falcons' next two games, but he might be available against Miami. Jacobs left Saturday's game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.

INJURY UPDATE: Fifth-year senior linebacker Terna Nande remains day-to-day, but Montgomery is hoping he could return for Miami's Nov. 5 home game against Buffalo.

Nande hasn't played since suffering a lacerated liver at Kent State on Sept. 17.

Fifth-year senior tight end Dan Tyler is day-to-day with a knee injury that forced him out of the RedHawks' win over Akron on Oct. 15.

Who cares? Wow, we actually have to beat a good team to get to the title game. Well good, bring it on. If we can't handle it, we don't deserve it. Forget winning by default. Let's go earn that title. A team that beats both Miami and Toledo is definitely deserving and will not be considered lucky to get it. I wouldn't have it any other way, nor should any true champion.


GO BG!!!

BelieveNBG wrote:Who cares? Wow, we actually have to beat a good team to get to the title game. Well good, bring it on. If we can't handle it, we don't deserve it. Forget winning by default. Let's go earn that title. A team that beats both Miami and Toledo is definitely deserving and will not be considered lucky to get it. I wouldn't have it any other way, nor should any true champion.


GO BG!!!

Well said. I totally agree.

Well, I care. I want every advantage possible, especially against Miami. I mean, if the choice is between playing Miami in a must-win situation or playing them with the MAC East title already clinched, which would you pick?

1987alum wrote:Well, I care. I want every advantage possible, especially against Miami. I mean, if the choice is between playing Miami in a must-win situation or playing them with the MAC East title already clinched, which would you pick?

This would be a far better sceniero than playing a must win, to win the mac east.

1987alum wrote:Well, I care. I want every advantage possible, especially against Miami. I mean, if the choice is between playing Miami in a must-win situation or playing them with the MAC East title already clinched, which would you pick?

I care too. Any way that will favor BG, I'll take it. Do I want to see us win outright? Hell ya! But over the last several years, we have lost more than we have won the big MAC games when they count the most. But one thing is for sure, our loss to WMU has given Miami a new breath of fresh air. Remember the "Miracle in Akron" last year when Akron beat Marshall in one of the most unbelievable endings to a game ever? It opened what was a closed door for Miami and they snuck right in and took full advantage the next week of their second chance.

I hope Miami doesn't expect to see the same team we saw against WMU because they won't. I think Omar will be back for sure by then, not taking anything away from AT, and on national T.V. the Falcons will be ready to kick some ass!!! But I think we should first concentrate on getting past Akron and Kent.

hamjunior wrote:I hope Miami doesn't expect to see the same team we saw against WMU because they won't. I think Omar will be back for sure by then, not taking anything away from AT, and on national T.V. the Falcons will be ready to kick some ass!!! But I think we should first concentrate on getting past Akron and Kent.

I hope you are right hamjunior. Not always, but it seems like most of the time when we play on national TV in the regular season, we get beat. But like you said, first up Akron, then Kent State, then Miami.