It would be followed by a list of his accomplishments:
- Nation's leader in touchdowns with 18.
- 30 career touchdowns in 18 games.
- Owns Miami's single-season touchdown record.
- Ninth in the nation in the rushing at 123 yards a game.
Prentice, of course, has no chance of winning the Heisman. But that wouldn't prevent a lot of schools from pushing him for the award.
But not at Miami.
''He ought to have 18 touchdowns,'' MU coach Randy Walker said. ''We give him the ball enough inside the 10. A lot of that is a function of the offensive line.''
Walker does give Prentice a little credit. ''He's made some plays,'' the coach said.
Prentice, a sophomore from Louisville, is key to Miami's fortunes in Saturday's showdown against Cincinnati.
Next
UC (5-2)
at Miami (6-1)
When: 2 p.m., Saturday
Where:Yager Stadium
Line:Miami by 6 1/2.
|
At a school noted for producing great running backs, Prentice has set himself apart early in his career. He likely will break Deland McCullough's career touchdown record - he needs only seven more TDs - this year. He also is on pace to surpass McCullough's career rushing yardage mark.
''He reminds me of Deland,'' quarterback Sam Ricketts said. ''But he has more tools than Deland. He's a little quicker.''
Prentice is also a lot bigger than McCullough at 6-foot-2, 223 pounds.
Prentice says his production is a product of Miami's brute strength. ''It's just physical football,'' he said. ''When we get in the red zone (inside the 20-yard line), we want to come away with seven, not three.''
Miami has scored in 31-of-32 chances from inside the 20; 25 of those scores have been touchdowns.
''The O-line has done a great job,'' Ricketts said.
Said Prentice: ''You've got to win the battle in the trenches.'' Prentice is coming off his best game of the year. He rushed for 203 yards and four TDs on 30 carries in MU's 45-21 victory over Marshall. That gave him seven TDs in last two games.
''I don't really think about that the stats,'' Prentice said. ''I just want to do what it takes to win. If we keep winning, the stats will come.''
Game reports
MIAMI 45, MARSHALL 21 Oct. 19, 1997
MIAMI 62, KENT 26 Oct. 5, 1997
MIAMI 24, VIRGINIA TECH 17 Oct. 5, 1997
MIAMI 38, ARMY 14 Sept. 28, 1997
MIAMI 49, AKRON 20 Sept. 14, 1997
BOWLING GREEN 28, MIAMI 21 Sept. 7, 1997
MIAMI 27, BALL STATE 10 Aug. 31, 1997
