OXFORD — It's difficult to remember the last time the Miami RedHawks were so eager to start a football season or, more precisely, to push a disastrous season somewhere far behind them. The dark side of the moon would be just about right.

The RedHawks lost six games last year that they could have won, and now most experts don't even consider them contenders in the Mid-American Conference East Division.

Despite the pain of last season, the offensive line that crumbled, the running game that stumbled, Miami coach Shane Montgomery honestly believes he has a team that can beat anybody on his schedule. Now, if he can just get his players to believe.

"We feel like we have a lot to prove from last year," Montgomery said, "and I like where we're at right now."

Miami is inexperienced at spots, such as wide receiver and the defensive line, but there doesn't seem to be a lack of talent, size or speed.

The one thing the RedHawks need to avoid at all costs is an early-season losing streak. Following Thursday's opener at Ball State, they play a difficult nonconference schedule that includes games at Minnesota and Colorado.

If Miami is 0-5 or 1-4 when it resumes MAC play on Oct. 6 at Kent State, it's going to be another long year.

Three storylines

The RedHawks, who lost their first six football games last year and never recovered, have suffered through back-to-back losing seasons only twice since World War II. Should the RedHawks falter again, it could get spooky. Just imagine the glares of Bo, Woody and the other Cradle of Coaches ghosts.

If quarterback Mike Kokal averaged 245 yards of total offense per game last year while spending most of his time running for his life (Miami allowed 49 sacks), imagine what he might do with a line that blocks and a running game that runs. The RedHawks think they are about to find out.

Many of the season-ticket holders who haven't been that impressed by Thursday night games on ESPNwhatever are feeling better about this year's schedule — not necessarily the who, but the when. Ten of the last 11 games this year will be played on Saturday afternoons. That's more like it.

2006 snapshot: 2-10 overall, 2-6 MAC (5th in East Division)

Returning starters:9 offense, 6 defense

Three players you know

Senior QB Mike Kokal (6-foot-2, 213 pounds) kept his composure last year despite being sacked about every four seconds. He finished second in the MAC in passing yards (219.9 per game) and second in total offense (245.1) while throwing just eight interceptions in 355 attempts.

Junior WR Dustin Woods (5-11, 187) was Miami's big-play man as a redshirt freshman, coming up with an 80-yard TD reception against Northern Illinois, a 52-yard TD catch at Purdue and a 51-yard kickoff return at Purdue. He had 25 receptions and averaged 20 yards per catch.

Junior LB Joey Hudson (6-2, 240) led Miami with 97 tackles as a first-time starter. The Piqua High graduate intercepted two passes in an OT loss at Purdue, recorded 16 tackles in a 9-7 victory at Bowling Green and tied for second in the nation in interceptions by a linebacker (five).

Three players on the rise

(6-1, 197) won't make people forget Ryne Robinson, but after redshirting last year he has earned a starting position on a team that is loaded with talented young receivers.

Freshman WR Chris Givens (6-2, 198) also played defensive back in high school at Chillicothe. Judging from the way he has been running routes and catching passes, his decision to concentrate on offense was a good choice.

Freshman LB Ryan Kennedy (6-1, 218) is expected to return from a banged-up knee in time for the Sept. 8 Minnesota game. It could be just a matter of time before he challenges for a spot in the starting lineup. Played quarterback at Libertyville, Ill.

The coach

Shane Montgomery is 9-14 going into his third season at Miami. The former North Carolina State quarterback was the Offensive MVP of the 1988 Peach Bowl and the 1989 Copper Bowl. He played for the Raleigh Durham Skyhawks in 1990 in the inaugural season of the World League of American Football. Montgomery, 40, grew up in Newark, Ohio.

By the numbers

5Teams from BCS conferences on Miami's schedule: Minnesota (Big Ten); Cincinnati (Big East); Colorado (Big 12); Syracuse (Big East); and Vanderbilt (SEC).

20 Games in which Miami scored 40 or more points in a three-year span from 2003-05. The RedHawks did not hit 40 one time in 2006.

7 Miami quarterbacks who have passed for 300 or more yards in a game. Ben Roethlisberger did it 14 times, followed by Josh Betts (8), Mike Bath (4), Mike Kokal (2), Sam Ricketts (1), Mike Bates (1) and Terry Morris (1).

12 Years since a RedHawk kicker has made a 50-yard field goal.

Biggest game of the season

Thursday's opener at Ball State is a game the RedHawks need to win in order to prove to themselves that they know how to win. Confidence and momentum can be everything in college football, and last year Miami found itself lacking in both following a series of early season close losses.

Ticket info

Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-866-684-2957. The ticket office is located on the south concourse of Millett Hall (open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Season tickets range from $70 to $85.

Single-game tickets range from $15 to $20.