The Orange host Miami in a rematch of the first-ever game in the Dome
Countdown to Kickoff: Dome Classic Rematch
8/18/2006 4:11:00 PM | Football
GAME 4: vs. Miami (OH)
Saturday, September 23, 2006-6:30 p.m.
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
| ABOUT MIAMI (OHIO) ... |
| Location: Oxford, Ohio |
| Enrollment: 16,700 |
| Nickname: RedHawks |
| Colors: Red & White |
| Conference: Mid-American |
| Stadium (Capacity): YagerStadium (24,286) |
| Athletics Director: Brad Bates |
| Starters Returning/Lost: 10/16 |
| Lettermen Returning/Lost: 45/25 |
| Check It Out ... Prominent Miami Alumni
Ron Zook (Illinois Head Coach), Benjamin Harrison (23rd President), Nick Lachey (singer), Chris Rose (Host, Best Damn Sports Show), Wally Szczerbiak (NBA Boston Celtics), Tina Louise, (actress, Gilligan’s Island)
Winning Ways
19th winningest program all-time (639)
Longtime Rivalry
Battle For the Victory Bell with Cincinnati fifth most-played rivalry (110 games)
Old School
Founded in 1809; Seventh-oldest public university in the United States
Leaders On and Off the Field
One of only four colleges to graduate a U.S. President and a Super Bowl winning QB (Stanford, Michigan, Navy).
Cradle of Coaches
Miami has earned the nickname “The Cradle of Coaches” due to the number of NFL and college coaches who have served at the school. Among the legendary names are Sid Gilman, Woody Hayes, Floyd Keith, Ara Parseghian, Randy Walker, Bo Schembechler, Jim Tressel.
NFL RedHawks
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Alphonso Hodge, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Jacob Bell, OG, Tennessee Titans |
When Syracuse hosts Miami (Ohio), it will be a rematch of one of the most historic games in Syracuse football history. On September 20, 1980 the Orange and RedHawks not only met for the first time, but it was also the first game in the history of the Carrier Dome. In front of 50,564 fans, the Orange came away with a 36-24 victory and began a successful tenure in the Dome.
In 14 days, Syracuse will take the field. Visit suathletics.com regularly for 'Countdown to Kickoff' to get an inside look at the 2006 season as the excitement builds. Season and individual game tickets are available via the internet and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX). To purchase tickets via the internet, click here.
Studying Miami (Ohio)
Head Coach
Shane Montgomery is entering his second season as the head coach of the RedHawks. Montgomery had served as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2001-04 and was named the head coach prior to Miami’s appearance in the 2004 Independence Bowl. He also served as a coach for I-AA Tennessee-Chattanooga for eight seasons. Montgomery was a three-year starter at quarterback at North Carolina State and played in three bowl games.
2005 Record
7-4 / 5-4 MAC (T-1st East Division)
2006 RedHawks
OFFENSE
The Miami offense lost five players to graduation, all of whom had at least two years of experience. The RedHawks have a trio of quarterbacks looking to replace Josh Betts, a two-year starter and the leader in passing yards in the MAC in 2005. Junior Mike Kokal is the only quarterback with any game experience and he has attempted only 27 career passes. Kokal will contend with sophomore Jared Elliot and redshirt freshman Daniel Raudabaugh. Miami has had a 3,000-yard passer in each of the past five seasons. While Miami is inexperienced at quarterback, the other skill positions are well-stocked. Junior running back Brandon Murphy rushed for 107 yards per game and nine touchdowns and was a second-team all- 
conference selection. Martin Nance, Miami’s all-time leader in receptions and yards, is another of the key departures, but the rest of Miami’s receiving corps returns, led by junior Ryne Robinson. Robinson was Miami’s second-leading receiver in 2005, making 75 catches for a team-high 1,119 yards. He was eighth in the nation with 101.7 receiving yards per game. The RedHawks return three other wide receivers who had double-digits in receptions last season. The offensive line lost three players, with juniors Charlie Norden and Steve Meister returning.
conference selection. Martin Nance, Miami’s all-time leader in receptions and yards, is another of the key departures, but the rest of Miami’s receiving corps returns, led by junior Ryne Robinson. Robinson was Miami’s second-leading receiver in 2005, making 75 catches for a team-high 1,119 yards. He was eighth in the nation with 101.7 receiving yards per game. The RedHawks return three other wide receivers who had double-digits in receptions last season. The offensive line lost three players, with juniors Charlie Norden and Steve Meister returning. DEFENSE
Miami’s defense took a big hit, losing nine starters from last year’s team. Also, five of the team’s top six linebackers are gone. The top-returning defensive player is senior safety Joey Card, the second-leading tackler and a second-team all-conference pick from a year ago. Senior cornerback 
Frank Wiwo led the team with four interceptions, followed by Card with three. Senior linebacker Dontae Wright saw action in every game last year, totaling 21 tackles, and is the most experienced RedHawk at the position. None of the other linebackers on the roster have more than two years experience. Junior defensive end Craig Mester is the only returning starter on the defensive line and led the team in sacks (5.5). Sophomore Joe Coniglio compiled 27 tackles and four sacks last season after moving from linebacker to end.
Frank Wiwo led the team with four interceptions, followed by Card with three. Senior linebacker Dontae Wright saw action in every game last year, totaling 21 tackles, and is the most experienced RedHawk at the position. None of the other linebackers on the roster have more than two years experience. Junior defensive end Craig Mester is the only returning starter on the defensive line and led the team in sacks (5.5). Sophomore Joe Coniglio compiled 27 tackles and four sacks last season after moving from linebacker to end. 2005 Review
The RedHawks clinched a share of their third-consecutive MAC East Division title in 2005 and recorded the program’s 12th-consecutive winning season. Miami had the fourth-best total offense and third-best total defense in the conference. Miami’s passing attack averaged 291 yards per game, tops in the MAC.
| 8/31 | NORTHWESTERN |
| 9/9 | at Purdue |
| 9/16 | KENT STATE |
| 9/23 | at Syracuse |
| 9/30 | at Cincinnati |
| 10/7 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS |
| 10/14 | at Buffalo |
| 10/21 | at Penn State |
| 10/28 | at Akron |
| 11/4 | at Western Michigan |
| 11/15 | BOWLING GREEN |
| 11/24 | OHIO |
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