Spring practice has wrapped up and the Miami University football team is looking ahead to the annual Red and White Spring Game Saturday.

“There are a couple key areas we always look at,” Head Coach Don Treadwell said. “Number one, we’re going to continue to really focus on fundamentals. Outside of that, we’re excited to keep refining our schemes. The third piece is to evaluate some of the guys who really didn’t get a chance to participate last fall and that’s usually your underclassmen.”

The RedHawks return 49 letter winners from last year’s 4-8 squad. However, they will be replacing some key players, the biggest being offensive guard Brandon Brooks.

“Overall, I think we’re going to have a better line than last year,” senior quarterback Zac Dysert said. “That’s what we want. [The team as a whole] is getting better every day. We’re definitely improving from last year.”

Last year, Dysert and junior wide receiver Nick Harwell carried the team offensively. Dysert had 3,513 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 65.8 percent of his passes. Harwell had 97 catches for 1,425 yards and nine touchdowns. Treadwell expects more of the same from the duo this year.

“I think that’s one thing you always anticipate and have that expectation because they have proven it in previous years,” Treadwell said.

Junior cornerback Dayonne Nunley returns as well, having led the team with three interceptions last season. He is expected to be one of the key defensive players this year.

“We look good,” Nunley said of the defense. “We’re playing fast, playing physical. [Miami Defensive Coordinator Jay] Peterson is preaching an effort mentality.”

Senior safety Pat Hinkle, a former state champion in high school at Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School, is the team’s leading returning tackler with 70 total tackles.

One of the key areas the RedHawks would like to improve is in the trenches. The team gave up 47 sacks last year while only picking up 25 of their own.

“It always starts up front and we put a lot of onus on the defensive line and offensive line,” Treadwell said. “If those two areas dramatically improve, it will make a big difference in what we do.”

The RedHawks will also look to the freshman class, after reeling in the third best recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference, according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com.

“The freshman class will always be looked at,” Treadwell said. “If they’re ready to be in there, then away you go.”

The Red and White had 15 spring practices and are looking forward to playing in the Spring Game.

“We’re all excited to get spring ball over with,” Dysert said. “We can’t really hit anyone in practice, but the spring game is live so everyone is going to be flying around, excited.”

Miami’s Spring Game will be held noon Saturday at Yager Stadium.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun,” Nunley said. “It is going to be nice to see the families out there to watch us.”

Every healthy player is expected to play in the Red and White Game, which is free to the public.