By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Third-year sophomore Josh Betts will take most of the snaps as the first-team quarterback, and freshman Mike Kokal will spend most of his time leading the second team as Miami wraps up its 15-session spring practice with the annual spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Yager Stadium.

Experience has given Betts the edge over Kokal in the battle to replace record-setting Ben Roethlisberger as the RedHawks' quarterback, coach Terry Hoeppner said.

"He's established himself," said Hoeppner. "Kokal is a freshman who had a good year with the scout team. He's gotten better. It's one of those positions there's a lot of focus on. Josh has gotten some quality reps. He's played in games, and it shows. It's an experience position."

Miami's first-team offense will face the first-team defense, and the second-team offensive and defensive units will play each other for most of the game, which is expected to last 100-120 plays. Betts and Kokal are expected to occasionally trade places.

Besides Roethlisberger, who left Miami for the NFL a year early, Miami lost starting tight end Matt Brandt, three veterans on the interior offensive line and two on the defensive line, and middle linebacker Terrell Jones to graduation. Hoeppner is confident about filling those holes.

"I've been very pleased," he said. "The object of spring practice is it's really a time for the team to grow up. Overall, I've been pleased with the progress shown by our young guys."

FAMILIAR FACES: Hoeppner expects the 2004 RedHawks to include two players well-known to Miami fans. Wide receiver Korey Kirkpatrick and running back Luke Clemens each received an extra season of eligibility from the NCAA after suffering injuries early in the 2003 season.

Clemens, a former walk-on, gained 1,009 yards, averaged 4.5 yards per carry and scored 102 points in 2002. Back problems limited him to 16 carries in three games last season.

Kirkpatrick, a South Dearborn High School graduate, will be back for his sixth year in the program after suffering a season-ending knee injury on the opening kickoff of the second game of last season. He has 43 catches for 622 yards and three touchdowns with the RedHawks.

FUNNY BOUNCES: Among the candidates to replace Brandt at tight end is Miami basketball star Danny Horace, who lettered in football twice at Western Hills High School.

"I talked to (basketball coach) Charlie (Coles) about it," Hoeppner said. "Danny has made a favorable impression. He really has a knack. He's caught on quickly."

The 6-foot-6, 242-pound Horace has two years of eligibility for football and one for basketball, Hoeppner said.

EARLY START: Clayton Mullins is only a freshman, but he already is blazing a trail. The 6-1, 215-pound linebacker from Fairborn is the first player in Miami history to graduate from high school early enough to participate in spring practice.