RedHawks Ready to Open 21st Century Against Vanderbilt
8/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Miami (7-4, 1999) vs. Vanderbilt (5-6, 1999)
Saturday, Sept. 2 -- Nashville, Tenn.
Match-Up at a Glance
Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium (41,448, natural grass)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. CDT (7 p.m. EDT)
Site: Nashville, Tenn.
Television: None
Series Record: 1-0, Vanderbilt leads
THE GAME: Miami University opens the 21st century in Nashville, Tenn., taking on Southeastern Conference up-and-comer Vanderbilt University at 6 p.m. CDT (7 p.m. Oxford time) Saturday, Sept. 2. The 2000 season marks the 112th football campaign at Miami. Led by Butkus Award candidate Jamie Winborn, the Commodores tout one of the top defenses in one of college football's toughest conferences. With 18 starters returning from a 5-6 club, Vanderbilt is entertaining legitimate bowl aspirations for the first time since 1982--the last year the Commodores produced a winning season and were invited to a postseason game. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Terry Hoeppner, Miami is in search of its seventh straight winning season. The RedHawks are returning 15 starters from last year's 7-4 club.
Saturday's game at Vanderbilt is the first of three consecutive away games for Miami. It is the first time since 1988 and only the sixth time in school history that the RedHawks have started a season with three straight road contests. Miami, which opened the last two years with road wins over North Carolina and Northwestern, has won its last three season-opening games.
FOR OPENERS: Since 1888, Miami has won just over 70 percent (70.3) of its season-opening contests. Miami is 75-30-6 in 111 years of action. During the 1990s, the RedHawks posted a 6-3-1 mark on opening day with victories coming the past four seasons. This is the first time in Miami history the RedHawks have began a football season against a SEC foe. (Miami did open the 1983 season against South Carolina, but that was prior to the Gamecocks joining the SEC.)
REDHAWKS ON THE ROAD: In recent seasons, Miami has found nearly as much success on the road as it has at home. Since 1997, the RedHawks have recorded a 14-5 road mark (.737), while going 11-3 at home (.786). Miami has won 11 of its last 14 away games. In non-conference road games the past three years, the RedHawks are 6-1 with their lone loss coming at West Virginia in 1999. Two years ago, Miami played seven road contests, like it must this year. That season, the RedHawks equaled a school record by winning six of their seven away games.
SERIES HISTORY: Miami and Vanderbilt have met one time previously, with the lone meeting taking place 101 years ago. Early in the 1899 season, the Commodores defeated "the Miami Boys," 12-0 in Nashville.
MIAMI VERSUS THE SEC: Miami is 7-8-1 all-time versus the Southeastern Conference. The RedHawks are 1-0 vs. Georgia, 1-0 vs. Florida, 4-6-1 vs. Kentucky, 1-1 vs. LSU and 0-1 vs. Vanderbilt. Miami also has played South Carolina five times, but those five games were played prior to USC joining the SEC in 1990. The RedHawks are 3-2 vs. South Carolina.
TERRY HOEPPNER: After spending 13 years as a Miami assistant, Terry Hoeppner (pronounced HEP-ner) was named the RedHawks head coach in 1999. He posted a 7-4 record in his inaugural season, joining the likes of coaching legends John Pont, Ara Parseghian and Bill Mallory as seven-game winners in their first season as a Miami head coach. A 1969 graduate of Franklin (Ind.) College, Hoeppner owns a 7-4 overall record in his second year as a head coach. Since coming to Miami in 1986 under then head coach Tim Rose, he has served as a linebacker coach (1986), defensive back coach (1987-93), assistant head coach/defensive back coach (1993-95) and assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (1995-98). Hoeppner's other college coaching stint came at his alma mater as defensive coordinator (1980-86). Miamis record with Hoeppner as defensive coordinator was 32-11-1 and as assistant head coach, 42-22-2.
A MIAMI WIN WILL ... :
- Improve the RedHawks season-opening ledger to 76-30-6 and give them their fifth straight season-opening victory;
- Give the RedHawks their first win over an SEC team since stunning eighth-ranked LSU on Sept. 20, 1986; and
- Up Miami's record versus non-conference foes to 7-3 since 1997.
A MIAMI LOSS WILL ... :
- End a string of four straight years with a season-opening victory and drop the RedHawks season-opening all-time record to 75-31-6;
- Hand the RedHawks their third straight non-conference loss (West Virginia and Cincinnati defeated Miami in the RedHawks' last two non-MAC outings;
- Extend the RedHawks' road losing streak to two; and
- Give the RedHawks their first season-opening loss to a non-league foe since 1990 (North Carolina was the last non-MAC team to defeat Miami in a season-opening game.)
ACCORDING TO THE VOTERS ... : Miami did not receive votes in either the AP or USA Today/ESPN Coaches preseason polls. Miami was ranked as high as 37th (AP) and 34th (USA Today/ESPN) in 1999.
Miami Ranking by the Week Week Sagarin AP USA Today/ESPN TSN CBS SportslinePreseason 60 NR NR 76 95
INJURY REPORT: Middle linebacker Nick Monk (Franklin, Ohio/Franklin) is the only projected starter on the 2000 preseason depth chart who is out with an injury (knee). Other notable injured RedHawks include outside linebacker Mike Montgomery (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay), who is listed as probable (broken finger), and offensive lineman Justin Smith (Mason, Ohio/Mason), who is questionable (high ankle sprain).
THE MEDIA SAYS ... : The RedHawks are picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conferences East Division, according to the MAC News Media Association. Marshall and Toledo are the favorites in the two divisions. Marshall is the overwhelming choice to represent the MAC for a fourth straight year in the 2000 Motor City Bowl in Detroit. For the complete preseason picks, see the poll at left.
THE MAC'S NEW DIVISIONAL FORMAT: Per NCAA regulations, the format for determining the MAC's divisional champions will be altered slightly beginning this fall. The rule states that in order to conduct a title game, each divisional opponent must play the other teams in its respective division. Since the MAC is presently unbalanced with seven teams in the East and six in the West, only divisional records will be used to determine the respective champions. Head-to-head competition will be used as the initial tie-breaker in determining the divisional champion. If that formula does not break the tie, then a team's record against its non-divisional foes would come into play. The 2000 MAC football schedule reflects an emphasis on divisional competition while also sustaining league rivalries. Miami plays its six East rivals, as well as West Division foes Eastern Michigan and Ball State.
SENIOR STRENGTH: Miami has 20 seniors on its 2000 roster, its largest senior class since fielding 20 fourth-year players in 1994. The RedHawks would have totaled 21 seniors, but defensive back Michael Adams (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) has gained an additional year of eligibility and is now listed as a junior. Two RedHawks, Mike Montgomery and Chad Huelsman (St. Henry, Ohio/St. Henry), have two years of eligibility remaining, but have opted to forego a final year and graduate this December.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE 2000 SLATE: Miami has earned a reputation over the years of playing a challenging non-conference schedule. That philosophy has not changed as the RedHawks begin the new century. Miami opens at Vanderbilt, which could have its best club since 1982. ESPN Magazine had this to say about Vandy and the SEC: "If the Southeastern Conference were any stronger, the Justice Department would come after it waving anti-monopoly papers. You know the SEC is loaded when Florida's Steve Spurrier says perennial floor mat Vanderbilt could win lots of games this season -- and says it without the signature Spurrier smirk."
After playing at Eastern Michigan in the season's second week, the RedHawks travel to Ohio State for one of the biggest games in school history. The two teams have not played one another since 1911. Making this year's schedule even more difficult is the fact that Miami must play Marshall and Akron, two of the top East Division teams, on the road, as well as long-time rival Cincinnati. All three non-conference opponents have legitimate chances to play in a postseason bowl game.
Earlier this summer, CBS Sportsline touted Miami's 11-game schedule as toughest in the MAC.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TWO-DEEP: Miami's two-deep heading into the Vanderbilt game is top-heavy with upperclassmen as 17 seniors and 11 juniors hold down the top two spots on offense, defense and at place-kicker/punter. The RedHawks also have seven redshirt freshmen listed on the two-deep, including three in a starting role: right tackle Jacob Bell (Euclid, Ohio/St. Ignatius), tailback Cal Murray (Dublin, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) and middle linebacker Phil Smith (Shaker Heights, Ohio/St. Ignatius).
AND THE FIRST CARRY GOES TO ... : All-America tailback Travis Prentice, who is now playing in the Cleveland Browns backfield, started the last 33 Miami games at tailback. In addition, he accounted for 78.3 percent of the RedHawks' net rushing the past three seasons. It appears that the first RedHawk to get a shot at filling the huge void left by his departure is redshirt freshman Cal Murray Jr., the son of former NFL player Calvin Murray (Philadelphia and Chicago). Murray had to sit out the 1999 season for academic reasons. Also getting a shot at running the ball will be redshirt freshmen Andy Dooley (Lima, Ohio/Elida) and Daryl Robinson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), as well as junior Steve Little (Louisville, Ky./Seneca), Prentice's backup the past two seasons. Little, who appeared to be Prentice's successor earlier in preseason camp, was unable to practice this past week due to an injury.
ROOKIE UPDATE: Led by three outstanding quarterbacks, Miami's freshman group was heralded as one of the MACs best recruiting classes. But like previous seasons, head coach Terry Hoeppner and his staff plan to redshirt nearly the entire class. If necessary, Miami could play one of its rookie quarterbacks this fall. Otherwise, no freshman player is expected to make a contribution on Saturdays this year.
MR. MUSCLE: Miami quarterback Mike Bath (Celina, Ohio/Celina) has prided himself on strength and conditioning during his RedHawk career. That hard work has paid off as a survey among Division I-A schools revealed that Bath's 425-pound bench press is the best among college football quarterbacks. The top six:
1. Mike Bath (Miami U.) 425 pounds 2. Brian Stallworth (Louisiana Tech) 400 3. (tie) Casey Printers (TCU) 390 C.J. Leak (Wake Forest) 390 5. Derek Dyer (UL-Lafayette) 375 6. Brad Lewis (West Virginia) 370
BATH IS STREAKING: Entering the 2000 season, Mike Bath ranked fourth among I-A quarterbacks with 22 straight starts. Only Wyoming's Jason McKinley (30 starts), Purdue's Drew Brees (25) and Georgia's Quincy Carter (24) have made more consecutive starts. Bath ranks ninth overall in career starts with 22. Arizona State's Ryan Kealy leads the country with 31. A look at the top 10:
1. Ryan Kealy (Arizona State) 31 starts 2. Jay Stoner (Wyoming) 31 3. Jason McKinley (Houston) 30* 4. Cleo Lemon (Arkansas State) 28 5. Drew Brees (Purdue) 25* 6. Quincy Carter (Georgia) 24* 7. Major Applewhite (Texas) 23 Chris Weinke (Florida State) 23 9. Mike Bath (Miami U.) 22* 10. Romero Miller (Mississippi) 21 * consecutive starts
BATH CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Mike Bath is on pace to become the RedHawks' all-time leader in passing touchdowns and yardage this season. He begins his final campaign with 36 TDs and 4,109 yards. The career marks, both held by Sam Ricketts (1994-97) are 44 and 5,870, respectively. Bath also has an outside shot at the career completions mark. He begins the season with 255, 229 behind Ricketts.
SLY IS SET: Senior wide receiver Sly Johnson (Miramar, Fla./Miramar) is ready to resume his career following a long offseason knee rehabilitation. At Central Michigan on Sept. 25, 1999, Johnson tore the ACL in his right knee early in the game. He had started that day as the country's second-leading receiving yardage leader. Johnson, who has suffered with some tendinitis in his knee during preseason camp, went the distance in Miami's most recent scrimmage. "Sly is anxious and ready to go," said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. "Were looking forward to having him involved with our offense again."
ROCK SOLID: If Miami's defense wants to improve upon its sub-par 1999 numbers, the RedHawks front four, led by senior and former walk-on Andy Aracri (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont), must lead the charge. Aracri, Miami's only returning all-MAC honoree, ranked sixth nationally with 23 tackles-for-loss in 1999. In addition to Aracri, starting defensive ends Bob Petrovic (South Euclid, Ohio/St. Ignatius) and Brian Potter (San Diego, Calif./Crawford), along with tackle Ryan Terry (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central), all return. The RedHawks totaled 38 sacks last year, seven shy of the single-season school mark.
LINEBACKER HELP: Six times in the last nine years, the MAC's Defensive Player of the Year honor has been awarded to a Miami University player. Throughout the offseason, head coach Terry Hoeppner was touting redshirt freshman Phil Smith as Miami's top newcomer. But when two-a-days began, Smith was playing left end. Ten days into camp, the coaching staff moved him to middle linebacker, trying to shore up a position that has been hit hard by injury the past year. While Smith still has a ways to go to master his new position, a successful cramming session has thrusted him into the starting middle linebacker role. He is one of three players from national prep power St. Ignatius in the Miami starting lineup.
MIAMIS OUT-OF-LEAGUE TRIUMPHS: Since 1995, Miami has three wins over top-25 opponents and eight victories over non-conference I-A opponents -- the most by any MAC school. In 1995, Miami defeated No. 25 and eventual Big Ten champion Northwestern (30-28), and also in 1999; in 1997, Miami defeated No. 12 Virginia Tech (24-17); and in 1998, Miami defeated No. 12 North Carolina (13-10). Miami also has a pair of wins over Cincinnati and Army during that stretch.
DONT BEAT YOURSELF: Miami has savored success in recent years, largely due to the fact that the RedHawks have kept their number of turnovers to a minimum. In 1998, Miami tied a Division I-A record by recording just one lost fumble in 11 games. Last year, the RedHawks suffered just two lost fumbles. Overall, Miami ranked 11th nationally in turnover margin in 1999 and 15th in 1998.
MIAMIANS IN THE PROS: The RedHawks presently have three former players on active NFL rosters. Eric Beverly (center) is a member of the Detroit Lions, Travis Prentice (running back) is a member of the Cleveland Browns and Trevor Gaylor (wide receiver) is a member of the San Diego Chargers. This past week, four former Miami players, Damian Vaughn (Miami Dolphins), Dustin Cohen (Buffalo Bills), Paris Johnson (Arizona Cardinals) and JoJuan Armour (Cincinnati Bengals), were waived from their respective clubs.
