Miami University Announces 2009 Football Schedule
3/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 26, 2009
OXFORD, Ohio -- First-year head coach MICHAEL HAYWOOD's Miami University football team will have a dynamic schedule in 2009, featuring a September 5 home game against the University of Kentucky at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium and five contests in Oxford against the Cincinnati Bearcats and four Mid-American Conference teams, Director of Athletics Brad Bates announced today.
The RedHawks' challenging 12-game schedule includes contests against seven teams that were involved in post-season bowl games. All four of Miami's non-conference foes--Kentucky, Boise State, Cincinnati and Northwestern--all went to post-season bowl games a year ago and compiled a cumulative won-lost record of 39-14. Three of Miami's MAC opponents--Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Buffalo--also played in bowl games in 2008.
"This schedule is an exciting way to open the Mike Haywood era of Miami Football," said Athletic Director Brad Bates. "Between our non-conference matchups and our MAC opponents, I feel we have created a schedule that will be both challenging and fun for our fans to watch."
Miami's season kicks off on Saturday, September 5, with a home game at Paul Brown Stadium against Coach Rich Brooks' Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference. This unique match-up against an SEC team is included in Miami's second consecutive six-game season-ticket package.
After their game in the Queen City, the RedHawks travel to nationally-ranked Boise State on September 12. The Broncos posted a perfect 12-0 regular-season record a year ago, before losing a one-point decision to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Games three and four find Miami traveling to play MAC foes Western Michigan (September 19) and Kent State (September 26).
Haywood's RedHawks return to Yager Stadium on Saturday, October 3, for their annual Battle for the Victory Bell against the University of Cincinnati. Coach Brian Kelly's Bearcats compiled an 11-3 overall record, losing to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
On October 10, Miami goes to Evanston, Illinois to play the Big Ten's Northwestern Wildcats, winners of nine games in 2008. Coach Pat Fitzgerald's squad was beaten by Missouri in the Alamo Bowl.
The 2009 schedule then has Miami playing at Ohio (October 17), and returning to Oxford for consecutive home games against Northern Illinois (October 24) and Toledo (October 31).
The RedHawks take their final road trip of the season on Thursday, November 5, for a game at Temple, then wrap up the 2009 campaign with mid-week home games against Bowling Green (November 12) and Buffalo (November 18).
"This schedule is a great opportunity to see how much we've improved from last season to this season," said Haywood. "Playing six of our first eight games against teams that played in bowl games last year will be challenging, but we're going to embrace this opportunity."
Season tickets for Miami's six home-game schedule are $120 for the general public and $105 for Miami University faculty/staff. Season tickets can be ordered online (www.MURedHawks.com), in person at the Millett Hall Box Office or by phone 1-866-MUHAWKS (1-866-684-2957) or 513-529-HAWK. New this year, Miami fans can select a monthly payment plan to purchase season tickets.
Members of MU's Red & White Club (RWC) will receive priority season ticket privileges. Contact the Athletic Development Office at (513) 529-8097 or email the RWC at RWClub@muohio.edu.
Miami began spring practice on March 21st and will have its annual Red and White Spring game at Yager Stadium on April 18 at 1 p.m.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY'S 2009 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
September 5 KENTUCKY (at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati) 12 at Boise State 19 at Western Michigan 26 at Kent StateOctober 3 CINCINNATI 10 at Northwestern 17 at Ohio 24 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 31 TOLEDONovember 5 at Temple 12 BOWLING GREEN 18 BUFFALO
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