By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Last season, Miami responded to consecutive heartbreaking losses to Marshall and Hawaii by being held scoreless in the second half of a defeat at Kent State.

That marked the first time in 60 years - since the 1941 team lost its last seven games - that Miami suffered three consecutive season-ending losses. Even the 0-10-1 team in 1988 mixed its tie into the last three games.

RedHawks coach Terry Hoeppner was reluctant to mention last year's loss to the Golden Flashes while talking with this year's team about today's regular-season finale against Central Florida. When he finally did bring it up, he was stopped in mid-sentence.

"The seniors stopped me," Hoeppner said. "They said, 'Whoa, don't even go there. That's not going to happen this year. We're going to be ready to play.' Our seniors are motivated. This probably is their last game at Yager Stadium, though it might not be if a couple of things happen, but first, we have to take care of business."

Added Miami senior linebacker Matt Robillard: "We don't have to hold a meeting. When you finish 0-3, that leaves a sour taste in your mouth. That's our motivation. You don't want to go out like that. Everybody wants to have this game personally."

The RedHawks (7-4, 5-2 Mid-American Conference) shouldn't need memories for motivation. Technically, they're still mathematically alive in the race for a berth in the MAC championship game, which is scheduled to be played Dec.7 on the East Division champion's home field. Miami must beat the Golden Knights and hope that Marshall loses both at Ohio today and to Ball State at home next Saturday.

UCF (5-5, 4-2), in its first MAC season, is hanging by a thread that has even fewer strands than Miami's. The Golden Knights must win today and at home next Saturday against Ohio while Marshall goes 0-2.

"I think we want to go out there and make a statement," said UCF junior quarterback Ryan Schneider, who is challenging many of the program's passing records currently held by Daunte Culpepper, now with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. "We'll be playing these teams again next year. We're a good team, and they'll have to deal with us next year and the year after that and the year after that. If we go out and punch them in the mouth these last two games, that will be in the back of their heads that we beat them this year."

Schneider sparks the MAC's second-ranked passing offense, which is one rung better than Miami's ranking.

"Their offense is what they're known for," Hoeppner said. "Their coach (former Boston College and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mike Kruczek) has an NFL background. They run a pro-style offense, except for a little option on the goal line. When they're clicking on all cylinders, they're very impressive. On defense, they're very athletic."

Hoeppner is hoping that the 40-degree temperatures forecast for today helps to slow down the Golden Knights.

"When we were down in Florida for a media day, I told them, 'Bring your topcoats, because it gets cold in Oxford in November,'" he said. "It looks like I'll get my wish."

"I'm hoping it is snowing," Schneider said. "All is heard all preseason is we can't play in cold games, we are going to fold when it gets cold and snowy, we are Florida boys who can't handle the cold weather. I want to go out and show everyone that we can handle it and we are just as good in 80-degree weather as we are in 20-degree weather."

Central Florida at Miami

Kickoff: 1 p.m. today, Yager Stadium (30,012), Oxford.

Records: UCF (5-5, 4-2 Mid-American), Miami (7-4, 5-2).

Radio: WCKY-AM (1360), WMOH-AM (1450), WFMG-FM (101.3).

Series: First meeting.

Line: Miami by 3 1/2.

UCF	Team stats	MU
425.2	Offense avg.	402.5
111.4	Avg. by rush	129.5
313.8	Avg. by pass	273.0
341.0	Defense avg.	402.9
149.9	Avg. by rush	139.1
191.1	Avg. by pass	263.8
30.1	Avg. points for	32.1
25.2	Avg. pts. against	25.2