Miami Student

Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Sports

Miami will be thrown into a hostile environment as they enter Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome looking to hand the Gophers their second straight upset. -Stacey Bengs/The Minnesota Daily

After a rousing weekend of upsets across the nation, the RedHawks will look to create some upset magic of their own as they travel to Minneapolis to take on the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

"(Last weekend's upsets) show us it can be done," Head Coach Shane Montgomery said. "We don't think we're the underdog."

While no one shook the college football world more than Appalachian State with its shocking win over No. 5 University of Michigan at the Big House, Miami University surprised a few of its own with a 14-13 come-from-behind win at Ball State.

"We needed to get a win like that for our confidence," Montgomery said. "It's a great feeling for us."

Miami will try to recreate those good feelings against a hungry Gophers team, still stinging from its 32-31-overtime loss to Bowling Green last weekend in Minnesota.

Minnesota lost a tale of two halves last Saturday: Bowling Green rocked the Golden Gophers throughout the first half only to see Minnesota rebound in the second half to force overtime. However, the Falcons finished off the Gophers with a two-point conversion in overtime.

The 'Hawks realize that Minnesota will be looking to avenge its opening loss this weekend against the Red and White.

"Bowling Green's win motivates us to play harder because we know Minnesota will be fired up," said Mike Kokal, Miami's quarterback.

While Minnesota will be penciled in as the favorite, Miami's odds may be better than they appear on paper.

In Sports Illustrated's latest college football ranking, Miami bested its upcoming opponent by 21 places-finishing with a ranking of No. 72 to Minnesota's No. 93.

Miami is also slotted five spots higher than Bowling Green-the team that left the Twin Cities on top last weekend.

One criticism from last week's win at Ball State was the RedHawks' underachieving passing attack.

Kokal admitted that he missed a few passes and that the aerial attack isn't quite where the team wants it to be. The 'Hawks managed only 118 yards passing in Muncie, including two interceptions by Kokal.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools