OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University and the Mid-American Conference have announced the 2005 schedule for the two-time defending MAC East Division Champion RedHawks. Four of Miami's 11 opponents are coming off bowl game wins, while three contests are slated to appear on ESPN2.

"This is an exciting schedule with a number of high-profile games," head coach Shane Montgomery said. "We have a pair of great in-state, non-conference rivalry games in Ohio State and Cincinnati, and we have the always-difficult MAC schedule that features several opponents we have not seen in a few years. Making at least three appearances on national television also will be a thrill for our players and fans alike. It should be a very exciting season for a veteran team that looks to continue a great run of success."

Miami, coming off an 8-5 year, opens the season on Sept. 3 at Ohio State, when it clashes with the defending Alamo Bowl Champions for just the fourth time in the programs' histories. Expected to rank high in the preseason polls, the Buckeyes are coming off an 8-4 record last season. The teams last met in 2000, when Ohio State downed Miami, 27-16.

The RedHawks begin MAC play the following week, opening the home season with a Homecoming clash versus Central Michigan University. Miami, which has won its last 10 home games, has not played the Chippewas since 1999 and has not hosted the MAC West foe since 1996. Miami follows with a Sept. 17 road game at MAC East rival Kent State University, which possessed the MAC's top total defense in 2004.

On Wed., Sept. 28, the "Battle for the Victory Bell" goes national, as Miami and the University of Cincinnati clash in a nationally-televised ESPN2 contest at Yager Stadium. The long-time rivals, who first clashed in 1888, are meeting for the 110th time in college football's fifth most-played rivalry. A week later, Miami is back on ESPN2 when the RedHawks travel to DeKalb, Ill., for an important mid-week league battle against defending Silicon Valley Bowl Champion and perennial MAC West contender Northern Illinois University.

Miami returns to the traditional Saturday game schedule on Oct. 15 when it hosts the University of Akron in a rematch of the 2004 regular-season finale that decided the MAC East Championship. The RedHawks kick off a two-game road stretch the following week when they face Eastern Michigan University for the first time since 2000. Miami closes out its non-conference schedule on Oct. 29, when it travels to Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field for its first meeting with Temple University.

MAC play resumes on Nov. 5, when Miami hosts MAC East foe Buffalo in a Parents' Weekend contest. On Tues., Nov. 15 Oxford once again occupies the national spot light, as defending GMAC Bowl Champion Bowling Green State University comes to town. Returning to the MAC East Division after a three-year absence, BGSU posted an 8-3 mark in 2004. Miami closes out the 2005 regular-season on Monday, Nov. 21 when it meets Ohio University for the 82nd time.

Tickets are available by calling 1-866-MUHawks or at www.MURedHawks.com

2005 Miami Football Schedule
Fri., April 15 - RED-WHITE SPRING GAME, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 3 - at Ohio State
Sat., Sept. 10 - CENTRAL MICHIGAN, 2 p.m.(Homecoming)
Sat., Sept. 17 - at Kent State
Wed., Sept. 28 - CINCINNATI (ESPN2), 7 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 5 - at Northern Illinois (ESPN2)
Sat., Oct. 15 - AKRON, 2 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 22 - at Eastern Michigan
Sat., Oct. 29 - at Temple
Sat., Nov. 5 - BUFFALO, 2 p.m. (Parents' Weekend)
Tues., Nov. 15 - BOWLING GREEN (ESPN2), 7 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 21 - at Ohio
Thur., Dec. 1 - MAC Championship (Ford Field; Detroit/ESPN)