Young blood revives Miami

17 starters return, but 34 underclassmen are reason RedHawks look to improve on last year’s 1-11 record.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 1:00 AM Sunday, August 29, 2010

OXFORD — College football prognosticators and Miami University’s football players agree about one thing: The RedHawks will be an improved football team in 2010.

The “why” is where they differ.

The experts, without exception, point to the 17 returning starters as the main reason Miami will do better than last year’s 1-11 performance.

As far as the RedHawks are concerned, the key is youth, and the energy and talent that youth has brought to Yager Stadium.

“I don’t think many people know about the talent we have on this team,” said Miami head coach Michael Haywood, who will begin his second season with the RedHawks when they play at third-ranked Florida on Saturday, Sept. 4. “We are dominated by freshmen and sophomores.”

According to junior free safety Anthony Kokal, “The younger guys came in and sort of revived the older guys.”

And there are a lot of younger guys.

Miami’s two-deep lineup lists an astonishing 34 freshmen and sophomores, including six true freshmen and six redshirt freshmen.

The list also includes 11 players who started at least one game in 2009, including sophomore quarterback Zac Dysert.

Improved play along Miami’s offensive line is critical to the team’s prospects for success, and three of the projected starters are sophomores Matt Kennedy (left tackle) and Brad Bednar (center) and redshirt freshman Josh Harvey (right tackle). Redshirt freshman John Anevski and true freshman Jeff Tanner also are in the mix.

“We’re going to have some first-year guys playing in the offensive line,” offensive coordinator Morris Watts noted. “But that’s part of building a program. Those are some of the things you have to live with. You hope they grow quick.”

Senior strong safety Jordan Gafford said he’s excited about the young players on defense, including freshman defensive end Mwanza Wamulumba.

“They have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of talent.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

Michael Haywood

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