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MU freshman Kyle Collins participates in spring practice Saturday at Yager Stadium. The RedHawks will play the annual Red and White game 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Football team ready for scrimmage as spring practice ends

By: Ben Garbarek

Posted: 4/17/07

After a rough 2006 campaign that left a bitter taste in the mouths of all those involved with Miami University football, the 2007 RedHawks are gearing up for a fresh start this spring.

Not to steal the legendary slogan of the Chicago Cubs' faithful, but next year may be here.

"We can win the Mid-American Conference championship," said Head Coach Shane Montgomery. "We're going to have a chance (to win) like everyone else."

Redshirt junior quarterback Mike Kokal agreed.

"We're more cohesive this year," he said. "We're more consistent this year, more confident."

The football team is wrapping up its spring practices this week, and will play the annual Red and White spring game at 7:30 p.m. Friday night, which is free to the students and public.

Montgomery has been pleased with the quality of the team's spring practices so far.

"The competition is good - we have better competition at a number of positions this spring," Montgomery said. "This has been the best off-season in (the seven years I have coached at Miami) - we like the chemistry of this team."

Standing in the way of the 'Hawks is a tougher schedule than many are accustomed to. The Red and White will play five nonconference games, including visits to the Golden Gophers of Minnesota, the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Colorado Buffaloes, all of which will be challenging games for the 'Hawks. Miami will also start the season with an in-conference matchup on the road against Ball State.

"This is the most important opener we've had in a while," Montgomery said. "It's important to start 1-0 in conference."

In addition to the challenging nonconference schedule, Montgomery noted that the MAC will be no easy test either.

"The MAC is improving," Montgomery said. "Two-thirds of the teams in the MAC have a realistic chance at winning the MAC championship."

One big question that has already been set straight is who will take the position of starting quarterback. Kokal stepped in and led the RedHawks offense last season, but had his fair share of struggles like the rest of the Miami squad. Montgomery made it clear however that Kokal is still his guy next season, despite stiff competition from redshirt sophomore Jared Elliot and redshirt freshman Daniel Raudabaugh.

"It's Kokal's job, he played pretty well overall last season" Montgomery said. "We feel good about our quarterback situation."

After a year as the starter, Kokal feels more prepared this season.

"I am more set as the starter this season," Kokal said.

Despite Kokal locking up the starting spot, Montgomery noted that Raudabaugh has been improving as well.

"If we had to start Daniel, we'd feel good about it," Montgomery said. "He's progressed well."

Miami is looking to step up defensively as well.

"We have more speed and talent on defense," said redshirt junior defensive end Craig Mester. "We were good last year at pass defense, but we want to show we can stop the run as well."

As for whether incoming freshmen don the Miami uniform for the first time this fall, Montgomery said several may see playing time right off the bat.

"We'll take a look at some of these guys and make a decision about whether to play them or redshirt them based on what's best for us and what's best for them," Montgomery said. "There are a number that can play right away."

ESPN.com ranked Miami's class at No. 47 in the country, which is the top among MAC schools and No. 6 among non-Bowl Championship Series (BCS) eligible schools.

Montgomery is looking forward to seeing his players perform outside of practice.

"I want to see how they react in game situations," Montgomery said. "Some of our young guys will be playing in a game situation for the first time."

After a rough season in 2006, the 'Hawks have licked their wounds and are prepared for a new start in 2007. Montgomery noted that despite a 2-10 record last season,

Miami was not trailing by more than 11 points in the fourth quarter of any of its games in 2006.

"We had our chances last year," Montgomery said. "We weren't able to pull those games out due to inexperience, sometimes a lack of making plays or just being worn out."

If the RedHawks can be on the winning side of a couple close games, the 2007 season might turn out to be a complete turnaround from this past year.