Know the Opponent: Miami of Ohio

Every week, InsidetheGators.net will run a feature on the opposing team with a full rundown of the week's biggest statistic, a profile of their best player from the state of Florida and some fun facts.

Today we preview the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks and their passing game. We also take a look at Ft. Myers native Jamal Rogers.

STATISTIC OF THE WEEK - PASSING OFFENSE

2009 STATS:

*59.36 percent completion percentage

*273.42 yards per game

*10.35 yards per completion

*15 touchdowns

*21 interceptions

*0.47 TD/INT ratio

National Rank - 23rd

OVERVIEW: The RedHawks' passing offense is perceived as the team's biggest strength heading into the season opener against Florida. Miami (Ohio) finished ranked 23rd in the country in passing offense a year ago. With starting quarterback Zac Dysert returning and top wide receivers Armand Robinson and Jamal Rogers back, many expect the Miami (Ohio) passing attack to be just as lethal in 2010.

The RedHawks aren't a deep-down-the-field passing team. Instead, they utilize short, quick passes to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands quickly. That's likely what they'll try to do against Florida's speed on defense. In any case, the Miami (Ohio) passing attack should be the only thing that could present any problems for the Gators.

STAT BEHIND THE STAT - AGAINST TEAMS IN TOP 60 PASSING DEFENSE

2009 STATS:

*58.73 percent completion percentage

*211 yards per game

*9.5 yards per completion

*3 touchdowns

*11 interceptions

*0.27 TD/INT ratio

National Rank (projected) - 68th

OVERVIEW: Against the five teams that Miami (Ohio) faced in 2009 that ranked in the top half (60th or better) of the country in passing defense, their numbers dropped very significantly. The most telling statistic is the touchdown-to-interception ratio, which dropped more than 40 percent. Simply put, the RedHawks could not convert against teams with a halfway decent passing attack.

This indicates that the RedHawks passing attack, that is getting so much press, is slightly overrated. Against teams with an average pass defense Miami (Ohio) was unable to sustain drives or punch it into the endzone through the air. Florida much better than average against the pass, finishing ranked second in the country.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

This statistic indicates that the RedHawks' passing attack isn't quite as lethal as advertised. While it is capable of moving the ball, it isn't going to cut apart the Florida defense on a whim. The Gators should reload personnel-wise in the secondary and have no trouble forcing some turnovers. It shouldn't surprise anyone if the Gators keep Miami (Ohio) from scoring a passing touchdown while also recording three or four interceptions.

PLAYER PROFILE - WR JAMAL ROGERS (SR)

Hometown: Fort Myers, Fla.

High School: Harmony High School

Class: 2007 (High School)

Rivals Rank: 2-star

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 173 pounds

2009 Stats:

*54 catches

*508 receiving yards

*9.4 yards per catch

*3 receiving touchdowns

*2 rushes

*3 rushing yards

Career Stats:

*113 catches

*1,031 receiving yards

*9.1 yards per catch

*4 receiving touchdowns

*21 rushes

*141 rushing yards

Overview: Jamal Rogers is a Fort Myers, Fla. native who spent his final year of high school at Harmony. He attended Cape Coral High School in Fort Myers prior to moving to Harmony for his senior year. During his senior year in high school, he helped the Hurricanes achieve a perfect 10-0 record as he recorded 45 catches for 600 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

The small, fast wide receiver was recruited by Miami (Ohio) and is now one of just two players on the current RedHawks roster from the state of Florida. He made an impact as a true freshman on special teams, as he set a Miami (Ohio) record for kickoff return yardage. Since then, Rogers has emerged as a receiving threat for the RedHawks.

While he is projected as a backup at the X wide receiver position, Rogers figures to get plenty of balls thrown his way on Saturday in the Swamp. He is extremely elusive and runs with good speed after the catch. He has caught at least one pass in 24 of his last 26 games and is 10th all-time at Miami (Ohio) in receptions. He is also the all-time leader in career kickoff return yardage with 1,950 yards.

*Note* - The only other player on the Miami (Ohio) roster from Florida is freshman cornerback Travis Williams (Cooper City, Fla.).

FUN FACTS

*Legendary college football coaches Woody Hayes (1949-50) and Bo Schembechler (1963-68) both coached at Miami (Ohio).

*Miami (Ohio) is 1-0 all-time against Florida, having won 16-7 in the 1973 Tangerine Bowl. Former Florida coach Ron Zook (2002-04) was a walk-on DB for the RedHawks in that game. The game was played at Florida Field because the stadium in Orlando was undergoing construction. Miami (Ohio) was ranked 15th when the teams met; Florida was unranked.

*Bill Mallory, the coach of the 1973 Miami (Ohio) team that beat Florida, will speak to the RedHawks on Friday night prior to the season opener.

*Florida (3/4) is the highest-ranked team that Miami (Ohio) has ever faced. The RedHawks have two wins against Top-10 teams. One of them was over No. 8 LSU in Baton Rouge in 1986.

*Florida head coach Urban Meyer has an 0-1 record against Miami (Ohio) as a head coach. His 2001 Bowling Green team lost to the RedHawks by a 24-21 score.

*The Gators (22nd) passed Miami (Ohio) (24th) on the all-time wins list during the 2009 season. Heading into Saturday's game, Florida has won 654 games and Miami (Ohio) has won 650.

*Miami (Ohio) starting center Brad Bednar is majoring in manufacturing engineering and has nearly a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

QUOTABLE

Miami (Ohio) head coach Michael Haywood on Florida QB John Brantley:

"We've got film of every game he's ever played in. He is a talented young man. In every article you read, the Florida players all talk about how well he's throwing the ball. We will try to create some opportunities to force the ball into coverage. We're going to have to do a great job covering his receivers and, at the same time, put some pressure on him."