July 26, 2005

OXFORD, Ohio --Miami University's defending Mid-American Conference East Division Champion football team has been picked to finish second in the MAC East Division for the 2005 season, the MAC News Media Association announced today. Bowling Green State University was picked to win the East and the MAC Championship game, while the University of Toledo was picked to prevail in the West.

The RedHawks, who have won the last two MAC East titles and are the only remaining member of the MAC East to have claimed a division crown, return 16 starters from last season's squad that posted an 8-5 overall record, made its second straight MAC Championship game appearance and earned a berth in the Independence Bowl. The veteran squad, which is directed by first-year head coach Shane Montgomery, is built around 14 senior starters and six returners who have earned all-MAC plaudits in the past two seasons.

"From top to bottom, the Mid-American Conference only seems to grow tougher every year," Montgomery said. "The return of Bowling Green to the East, along with the continued rise of the other quality programs in this division and the entire league, should make for an exciting conference race that, once again, comes down to the wire. We're fortunate to have a veteran team that has been in the tough battles before and look forward to the challenges of the upcoming season."

Bowling Green, which was a contender for the MAC West crown a year ago and the defending GMAC Bowl Champion, received 241 votes and 30 first-place tallies, while Miami posted 220 votes and 12 first-place votes. In a tight race the rest of the way, Ohio University was picked third in the East with 125 votes, while Kent State University and the University of Akron tied for fourth with 122 votes apiece. The RedHawks and Falcons face on Nov. 15 in a nationally-televised weeknight game at Miami's Yager Stadium.

In the West, defending MAC Champion Toledo collected 237 votes and 31 first-place votes, while Northern Illinois University received 220 votes and 11 first-place tallies. Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University were selected third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

BGSU received 22 votes to win the MAC Championship game that pits the East and West Division Champions and takes place at Detroit's Ford Field on Dec. 1. Toledo picked up 10 votes to win its second straight MAC Championship game, while Miami earned six votes and Northern Illinois posted four.

Miami kicks off its season on Saturday, Sept. 3, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, where it faces the Ohio State University Buckeyes in a game broadcast by ABC. The RedHawks open the league season at home on Sept. 10 when they look to extend a 10-game home winning streak on Homecoming against Central Michigan.