University of Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio is doing everything he can to stoke the fires of the UC-Miami rivalry.

Asked at UC's Media Day on Thursday about opening against Ohio State, where he served as defensive coordinator for the past three years, the new UC coach used the opportunity to take a shot at the RedHawks.

"I like leading off with Ohio State," he said. "If you want to be the best, if you want to compete against the best, and all of our players do, you have to play against the best, so why start with Indiana State? Why start there?"

Miami opens its season against Division I-AA Indiana State on Aug. 28. The UC-Miami game is Sept. 11 at Nippert Stadium. The RedHawks have won the last three meetings.

Bill Koch