RedHawk Football Notebook
8/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2010
OXFORD, Ohio - It's difficult to fathom, but there are now just 11 days remaining until the Miami University football team's season opener at Florida. The September 4 game in Gainesville will be televised by ESPN at 12 noon EDT, leading off a full day of action on the all-sports station. The broadcast team of Dave Pasch, Bob Griese and Chris Spielman will describe the action on ESPN.
Here are some other notes to get fans fired up about the 2010 season:
*Take a look at the new edition of the RedHawk Football Fan Guide. Sketches about all 105 players and every coach are included inside. Soon to come will be the interactive version, featuring nearly 200 different video clips.
*You can listen to a replay of last Saturday's RedHawk scrimmage on Miami's internet channel, MSNi. In addition to the play-by-play description by Steve Baker, Tim Bray and Terry Bridge are extensive interviews with Michael Haywood, athletic director Brad Bates, line coaches Antoine Smith and Bill Mottola, plus players Jordan Gafford and Nate Williams. It will run 24 hours a day for the next few days, so tune in anytime.
*From this point on, Coach Michael Haywood's team will practice in the morning and attend classes in the afternoon and evenings. The team checks in at Yager Stadium as early as 6 a.m. each day.
*Slowly but surely, Miami's two-deep is taking shape. The offensive line features two seniors (Bob Gulley and Nate Williams), two sophomores (Brad Bednar and Matt Kennedy) and a redshirt freshman (Josh Harvey). Veteran Brandon Brooks is nursing an injury, but could make it back in time for the season opener.
*Of the 11 defensive starters, only safety Jordan Gafford and cornerback Brandon Stephens represent the senior class. They're joined by three juniors (Morris Council, Jerrell Wedge and Anthony Kokal) and six sophomores (Austin Brown, Mike Johns, Wes Williams, Luke Kelly, Evan Harris and D.J. Brown).
*Redshirt freshman Zac Murphy from Cincinnati's Kings High School has earned the starting job at punter. Last week, he was rewarded for his hard work with a scholarship.
*Ten true freshmen have made a significant impact this fall. Sprinkled among the depth chart are offensive linemen Jeff Tanner and Tyler Grubbs, running backs Tracy Woods and Orne Bey, defensive tackle Kelvin Jackson, defensive end Mwanza Wamulumba, defensive backs Dayonne Nunley, Dante Taylor and Demetrius Quarles, and long snapper Konnor Blevins. Four other first-year players are also making waves, including offensive tackle Cory Brown, fullback Vince Helmuth, receivers Nick Harwell and DeMarco Paine.
*Miami's deepest position is wide receiver where it has seven legitimate threats. Seniors Armand Robinson and Jamal Rogers were the team's top-two pass catchers in 2009. Chris Givens, who caught 35 passes in 2008 but was injured in game two at Boise State last season, is healthy again and playing well. Andy Cruse and Nick Swift both saw extensive action in 2009 and are much improved as sophomores. Newcomer speedsters DeMarco Paine and Nick Harwell also promise to be prime-time play makers.
*Last year's four non-conference opponents--Kentucky, Boise State, Cincinnati and Northwestern--had a combined record of 41-12. This season's non-conference quartet also is dangerous. The Florida Gators are ranked third in the nation in the USA Today poll. Voters also rank Cincinnati (26th) and Missouri (32nd) among college football's best teams.
--www.MURedHawks.com--
