July 23, 2002

DETROIT - Garnering three first-place vote and 257 total points, Miami University's football team has been picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division in a preseason poll by the MAC News Media Association.

"I'm honored to be on the front page of this league, especially when you consider how competitive it has become," Miami head coach Terry Hoeppner said. "Hopefully we can live up to the media's expectations and even surpass them. We're tired of being the bridesmaid in this league and are ready to take that next step and be the bride."

Marshall earned 43 first-place votes and was predicted to finish atop the East Division and win the MAC Championship Game, while new MAC member UCF was picked third, garnering one first-place vote. Bowling Green, which shifted to the West Division beginning this season, was selected to finish first in the West Division. Toledo and Western Michigan, who, between the two, have won every West Division title since 1997, were selected to finish second and third, respectively, in the West. The RedHawks travel to both defending Division champions, Marshall (Nov. 2) and Toledo (Oct. 26) this season.

"As always, until someone takes it away from Marshall, the road to the MAC Championship runs through Huntington," Hoeppner said. "We'd love it if the game with Marshall on Nov. 12 is for the MAC East title again, but with the addition of UCF and so many other teams emerging in the division, there are a lot of unknowns. Whatever happens, you can expect a fun and exciting season of MAC footb all."

Miami opens the 2002 season Aug. 31 at North Carolina, which is coming off a 9-3 record that included a 16-10 victory over Auburn in last year's Peach Bowl. The RedHawks last played the Tarheels in Chapel Hill to open the 1998 season, upsetting the then-No. 12 ranked team, 13-10. The second week of the season, Miami opens up at home, hosting its first Big Ten team in school history as the University of Iowa comes to Oxford. The RedHawks are hoping to avenge last year's, 44-19, loss to the Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

EAST DIVISION Team (First-Place Votes) Points 1. Marshall (43) 324 2. Miami (3) 257 3. UCF (1) 248 4. Kent State 174 5. Akron 136 6. Ohio 111 7. Buffalo 66

WEST DIVISION Team (First-Place Votes) Points 1. Bowling Green (25) 283 2. Toledo (13) 266 3. Western Michigan (3) 205 4. Northern Illinois (4) 201 5. Ball State (2) 188 6. Central Michigan 118 7. Eastern Michigan 55

MAC Championship Game Winner: Marshall (41), Miami (2), Toledo (2), Bowling Green (1), UCF (1). Points awarded on the basis of 7-6-5-4-3-2-1.

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