By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

OXFORD - When a college football player such as Miami wide receiver Korey Kirkpatrick is 24 years old and back for a sixth year on the team, the jokes are unavoidable.

Even his coach can't help himself.

"It's kind of unique to have a player as old as you, who listens to the same music and needs to go into the hot tub to work out the aches," RedHawks coach Terry Hoeppner, 57, said with a smile.

"That's what he told me, too," Kirkpatrick said. "I feel like a veteran. I try to stay the way I've always been - kind of laid-back - but I've been around, and I can give the younger guys tips."

Hoeppner actually was referring to Kirkpatrick and running back Luke Clemens, both of whom successfully petitioned the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility after injuries cost them all but the first games of Miami's storybook 2003 season.

Back problems hobbled Clemens. Kirkpatrick, who caught five passes for 64 yards in the RedHawks' season-opening loss at Iowa, was sidelined after suffering a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while returning the opening kickoff at Northwestern. Hoeppner's thoughts immediately turned to a medical redshirt.

"You don't want your last season to end like that," Hoeppner said.

"Even before we knew it was an ACL, we got rolling on it," Kirkpatrick said. "It's a long process. I rehabbed like I was coming back, even though we didn't know if I was. I filed the paperwork and crossed my fingers."

There were no guarantees, but Kirkpatrick felt pretty good about his chances. He grew more optimistic after learning that Oklahoma quarterback Jason White, the 2003 Heisman Trophy winner, had received a sixth year of eligibility because he'd suffered season-ending knee injuries in two of his previous seasons.

Kirkpatrick, a product of South Dearborn High School in Aurora, Ind., is only the second sixth-year player in Miami history. The first was Brad Carlisle a decade ago. Kirkpatrick actually earned his exemption based on his true freshman season - way back in 1999 - when he was redshirted while coming back from a high school injury to his other knee.

Even though Miami probably is deeper at wide receiver than at any other position, missing out on the season enjoyed by the RedHawks last year only deepened Kirkpatrick's resolve to return.

"I took it pretty hard," he said. "Before the injury, I had a real good game against Iowa. We always have quality depth. I'm just happy to get another chance. A lot of people don't."

Kirkpatrick doesn't remember the exact date when he learned that he'd been cleared. He just remembers getting a phone call from athletic director Brad Bates - and his reaction.

"That was a happy day," he said.

Kirkpatrick is taking graduate courses in sports organization, his major, and he is close to 100 percent on the field. He will play wide receiver and on special teams.

"Last Wednesday, in the scrimmage, I said, 'That's the Korey that we haven't seen in a long time,' " Hoeppner said. "I kind of left it up to him about playing special teams, but he said, "I want to do it. That's what I do.' "

On TV

Saturday's 7 p.m. opener against Indiana State will be televised on Channel 64, as will the Oct. 23 Mid-American Conference game against Central Florida.