By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Terry Hoeppner reaffirmed his affection for gadget plays Tuesday when, with no prompting, he declared Oklahoma's fake punt against Alabama the No. 1 play in college football last weekend.

Later, the Miami football coach downplayed the notion that having an athlete such as Todd Soderquist handling the RedHawks' placekicking at Northwestern today could give him extra options in kick situations.

"There's no way I would ever think about anything like that," Hoeppner said, trying to keep a straight face.

Even if Soderquist, a true freshman who returned kicks and punts and caught 34 passes for an average of 15.3 yards per catch as a high school senior, isn't involved in any trick plays, Miami's game could come down to how well he does in place of Jared Parseghian, the junior who remains suspended after being arrested for stealing a street sign and a sculpture from a park. Parseghian was scheduled for a hearing Thursday but got a continuance, Miami spokesman Mike Harris said.

"Todd's a very talented kicker and he's been waiting for his opportunity," Hoeppner said. "I'm sure he'll do fine. Todd's been in the fire, and he's got the perfect temperament to be a kicker. I feel confident in Todd."

Kicking could become crucial if the RedHawks struggle to put the ball in the end zone as they did in a 21-3 loss at Iowa two weeks ago. Hampered by a running game that produced just 54 yards and four interceptions thrown by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Miami failed to score at least one touchdown for the first time since a 21-0 loss at Ball State on Nov. 6, 1993.

The last time Miami went two games without scoring a touchdown was 1983.

Making Miami's task more difficult is the 3-3 defense installed by Wildcats coach Randy Walker, a former RedHawks star running back and coach. The unusual alignment could make it difficult for Roethlisberger and the Miami offensive linemen to identify where blitzers are coming from and for the RedHawk receivers to make accurate judgments about changing routes.

"They're not the only school playing it, and we've had two weeks to prepare for it, so we ought to be OK there, but it does present a challenge," said Hoeppner, whose team had a bye last Saturday. "When a team is playing a 4-3, you're pretty confident that you know where (the defenders are). In a 3-3, you don't know where they're coming from."

"Sometimes they drop eight guys, too," Roethlisberger said. "That takes away your deep stuff."

Junior safety Marvin Ward came off the bench in Northwestern's loss to Air Force last week and racked up 11 solo tackles and helped on six more. He was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week on defense, the second Wildcat to earn player-of-the-week honors in as many weeks. Senior running back Jason Wright was named conference Player of the Week on offense after recording 196 yards and four touchdowns in Northwestern's season-opening win at Kansas.

"Randy says he's the best all-around back he's ever coached, and that's a pretty powerful statement," Hoeppner said. "... He coached Deland McCullough and Travis Prentice (Miami's top two career rushing leaders) here."

Miami at Northwestern

Kickoff: Noon today, Ryan Field (47,130), Evanston, Ill.

Records: Miami (0-1), Northwestern (1-1).

TV: Ch. 64; ESPN Plus.

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450).

Series: Miami leads 5-1.

Line: Miami by 3.

What to watch: How will MU freshman wide receiver R.J. Corbin respond to making adjustments necessary to cope with an unusual 3-3 defense?

MU	Team stats	NU
304.0	Offense avg.	459.5
54.0	Avg. by rush	233.0
250.0	Avg. by pass	226.5
361.0	Defense avg.	382.0
232.0	Avg. by rush	185.0
129.0	Avg. by pass	197.0
3.0	Avg. points for	24.5
21.0	Avg. pts. against	21.0