The University of Cincinnati Bearcats won't participate in their first practice session of fall camp until this afternoon, but already first-year coach Mark Dantonio is pointing toward the Sept. 11 game against archrival Miami at Nippert Stadium.

"Miami is a huge game for us," Dantonio said. "I make no bones about that."

Much like Ohio State coach Jim Tressel embraced the Buckeyes' rivalry against Michigan when he arrived in Columbus three years ago, Dantonio is stoking the fires for the UC-Miami game, even though the Bearcats open their season on Sept. 4 at Ohio State.

"I'm not going to hide the fact that that's a huge game for us," he said of the Miami game.

"I'm going to come out and say that's a rival game and that's important. You can print that. And you can print that I'm looking forward to that. And you can print that everybody at the University of Cincinnati and its alumni need to take that game personally. That's personal. Print that, OK?"

UC has lost three in a row to the RedHawks, the Bearcats' longest losing streak in the rivalry since losing three straight from 1990-1992.

NEW WEB SITE: UC will unveil a new Web site today, designed to include more photographs and graphics.

New features at 'UCBearcats.com' will include listings on the front page of recent scores, upcoming events and current rankings for all of UC's 18 teams as well as easier access to live coverage of UC games.

Bill Koch