Miami QB Mike Bath fumbles. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        With 4:20 left in the first half, Miami pulled itself back into the game against UC Saturday. But in the next 260 seconds, the RedHawks went from hopeful to hopeless on their way to a 45-15 loss.

        It all happened quickly.

        When Mike Bath hit Mike Sullivan for a 15-yard touchdown, the RedHawks were down only 17-7.

        “We think we have a chance,” Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said. “We're trying to stick with the game plan and not panic.”

        The time to panic came shortly thereafter. Charles Spencer returned the ensuing kickoff 73 yards. That set up a 2-yard TD pass to DeMarco McCleskey.

        Then, on Miami's next play from scrimmage, LaVar Glover picked off a pass from Bath and ran it back 30 yards for a TD. Just like that, it was 31-7 and Miami was essentially done.

        “You can't dig yourself in a hole in a game like this,” Hoeppner said.

        Particularly when the other team is more talented, which was the case.

        “They're an excellent football team,” Hoeppner said. “I told (UC coach) Rick Minter afterward that I thought their defense was faster than Ohio State's.”

        The loss was Miami's worst since the RedHawks fell to North Carolina 34-0 in 1990. It was the worst to UC since a 33-0 loss in 1970.

        Miami outgained UC 389 to 383, but a lot of those yards came after the game was out of reach. John Schacke replaced Bath (14-for-30, 189 yards, 2 INTs) in the second half.

        Even if Bath had been on, it probably would not have mattered — UC made all the big plays.

        “We had two field goals blocked,” Hoeppner said. “We gave up a (long) kickoff return, a (long) punt return. We were almost completely ineffective in the first half.

        “But we didn't quit. We played hard in the second half.”

        Now Hoeppner must prevent the RedHawks from quitting on the season. Three games remain, starting next week with Mid-American Conference rival Ohio University at home.

        “I wish we played (OU) right now,” Bath said.

UC 45, Miami 15 DAUGHERTY: UC gets a peek performance Tide turned quickly for RedHawks UC-Miami Notebook UC freshmen raise eyebrows in scrimmage WXIX still trying to fill UC job

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