June 30, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio--Miami University defensive lineman Martin Channels is a big man with a big agenda.

"Under Coach (Michael) Haywood and this staff, they've taught us to think like we mean business," said Channels. "We have been practicing and working out to help us accomplish one goal ... we want to win the MAC."

The 6-foot, 300-pound senior from Xenia has been charged to get to the quarterback.

"I need to keep my weight under control and be more of a leader," he says. "I want to make more plays and be a more effective player."

From the time Channels first met head coach Michael Haywood, it was very clear what the first-year coach's agenda was all about.

"Coach has been around a lot of winners during his career," he said, "and the key to his teams' success has been discipline and more discipline. We need to follow the rules he's laid down. Coach is all about getting down to business."

And so are defensive coordinator Carl Reese and defensive line coach Antoine Smith. Channels loves the new defensive strategy.

"Coach Reese is all about getting to the ball and playing as a unit," he said. "Last year's scheme was about freeing the linebackers so that they could make the tackles. This defense is much more aggressive. We're told that we have to take some chances. No one is more aggressive than Coach Smith. His workouts are tough. If we can survive his practices, I think the games will be a breeze. A lot of the things that Coach Reese and Coach Smith teach fit the style that I play."

As a group, Channels thinks that the defensive linemen have taken some positive steps since 2008.

"We're still switching some people around to find the best fit," he said. "The thing I like is how we play as a single unit."

With the season opener at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium just a little more than two months away, Channels is getting excited.

"I'm ready to play," he says. "When I get back to campus this week, it will be all business. When we play Kentucky, we just want to come out and play our game. It's a tough schedule in front of us, but we have to play it one game at a time."

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HOW TO PURCHASE REDHAWK SEASON TICKETS

Fans looking for premium savings and ideal seat location get the best of both worlds by purchasing RedHawk football season tickets. Season tickets--including the game against Kentucky-- are only $120. Prices are even more affordably priced for Miami faculty and staff ($105), senior citizens ($110), and youth under 18 ($100).

Individual ticket prices for the much-anticipated game in Cincinnati against Kentucky are $45 for the lower bowl, $35 for the upper bowl and $75 for the club level. Season ticket purchasers will be seated in premium seats in the lower bowl at Paul Brown Stadium for the season opener, assuring them a savings of $15 per ticket.

Members of MU's Red & White Club (RWC) will receive priority season ticket privileges. Contact the Athletic Development Office at (513) 529-8097 or email the RWC at RWClub@muohio.edu.

Miami's six-game home schedule not only includes the September 5 contest in the Queen City against the Wildcats, but also five games at Yager Stadium on the Oxford campus. An October 3 Family Weekend battle versus nationally ranked Cincinnati, a Homecoming game against 2008 bowl participant Northern Illinois on October 24, a Halloween afternoon tilt versus intrastate rival Toledo, and exciting November games under the lights against Bowling Green and MAC Champion Buffalo make up the schedule of games located in Oxford.

Tickets can be ordered online (www.MURedHawks.com), in person at the Millett Hall Box Office or by phone 1-866-MUHAWKS (1-866-684-2957) or 513-529-HAWK.

Miami faculty and staff can pay for their tickets via monthly payroll deductions. Call the ticket office for details.

Fans are encouraged to join MU's Red & White Club (RWC), Miami Athletics' official membership organization that supports annual scholarship needs. Contact the Athletic Development Office at (513) 529-8097 or email the RWC at RWClub@muohio.edu.

--www.MURedHawks.com--

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