Saturday, October 19, 2002
Miami looks to get better against Buffalo
Blowing big lead haunts RedHawks
By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor
From the Miami RedHawks' point of view, today's football game at the University of Buffalo isn't as much about beating the Bulls as it is about getting themselves back on track. The RedHawks want to prove the team that blew a 20-point lead in a 48-41 loss at Northern Illinois on Saturday wasn't the real Miami.
“That was a very, very disappointing loss,” RedHawks coach Terry Hoeppner said. “It was embarrassing, not because we lost, but because of how we lost it.
“When we play up to our abilities, we're very good, but it's a fine line. We're not talented enough that, if we don't play or coach up to our abilities, we can't be mediocre.”
Hoeppner was confident Miami (4-3, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) would leave the loss behind, even though it dropped the RedHawks into a tie with Ohio for second place in the MAC East Division, one game behind Marshall.
The Buffalo team that Miami faces today is 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the MAC after being overwhelmed 66-21 by Marshall on Saturday. The Thundering Herd led 52-0 at halftime.
“The question is how well they respond to what happened last week,” Hoeppner said of Buffalo. “They're a dangerous team, especially up there. Plus this is a long trip. We'll try to make things as comfortable as possible.”
The Bulls are led by freshman running back Aaron Leeper, who is averaging 88.1 rushing yards per game. Leeper, who has 617 yards and six touchdowns, needs 54 yards and one touchdown to set UB freshman records.
Despite the efforts of Leeper and wide receiver Andre Forde, who has 37 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns, the Bulls are last in the MAC in total offense and keep senior punter Scott McMahan busy. He is averaging more than eight punts per game over the last five contests and is second in the MAC with an average of 42.1 yards per kick.
Buffalo has lost its last five games after defeating Rutgers 34-11 in the second game of the season.
Miami is looking forward to the return of junior middle linebacker Terrell Jones, who missed the last two games because of a sprained ankle. He has 32 solo tackles and 22 assists this season.
The RedHawks took advantage of a break in classes Friday by boarding buses and beginning the nine-hour trip to Buffalo on Thursday night. The team was going to spend the night in Cleveland before proceeding to Buffalo on Friday.
“We're eager to play,” Hoeppner said. “When you get embarrassed, you want to go back to work. ... The team that beat North Carolina at North Carolina and played Iowa to the wire is still here. ... I've seen this team bounce back before.”
Sports Stories
Bengals wary of going out in public
UC's bowl chances on the line
Prep football scores & game reports
How Enquirer poll teams fared
State tennis highlights: Crace, CCD pair still unbeaten
State golf highlights: MND ready for final push
Dixie star's status affects two sports
World Series stage set for Bonds
Lofton driving Giants toward championship
Devil Rays get OK to talk with Piniella
Puckett charged with sexual assault
Miami looks to get better against Buffalo
