DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Mike Rummler is about to become the most important invisible man on the Miami University football team.

Coach Shane Montgomery expects, at least, that Rummler will remain invisible to most naked eyes by doing his job competently and consistently.

Such is the lot of the long snapper and the short snapper, the football players you never notice unless the football bounces, skids, slips, sails or does something other than land safely in the hands of the holder or punter. This season Rummler, a 6-foot-2, 208-pound redshirt freshman from Moeller High School, gets to handle both jobs.

Several players were given a look at the position, which had been dominated by two players over the previous eight seasons, Scott Sagehorn (1999-01, 2003) and Dave McClain (2002, 2004-06).

"That was one of the big question marks coming into camp because of Dave McClain being so consistent for us for four years," Montgomery said. "We feel comfortable with the job Mike's been doing."

Rummler, a walk-on who is the brother of former RedHawk player Adam Rummler, played linebacker and safety for coach Bob Crable at Moeller.

Good news for Paun

Miami's defensive coaches breathed a sigh of relief when it was learned an injury suffered by sophomore nose tackle Mark Paun during Saturday's scrimmage was not serious.

"We got really fortunate," Miami defensive coordinator Jay Hood said. "He got bent over and twisted, but he went through a large part of practice today. By the time we get to practice Saturday, I think he'll be full go."

Bad news for Kaufman

Last fall, Alex Kaufman cut a swath through opposing quarterbacks and running backs for the Lakota West Firebirds. But Miami's 6-2, 215-pound freshman linebacker, who was last year's JournalNews Butler County Defensive Player of the Year, won't be doing damage to anyone for a while after suffering a lower leg injury on Saturday.

"I don't know how long he'll be out for ... at least a couple weeks if not more," Montgomery said of Kaufman, who probably was looking at a redshirt season anyway.

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