For the time being, the Miami RedHawks do not have a clear-cut starting quarterback for Saturday's home opener against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Senior Mike Kokal has started the RedHawks' last nine games, but sophomore Daniel Raudabaugh took Kokal's place midway through the fourth quarter during their triple-overtime loss at Minnesota last weekend.Raudabaugh guided the RedHawks to three straight scoring drives to bring Miami all the way back from a 28-12 deficit.
"I don't know what we're going to do right now," Miami coach Shane Montgomery said Tuesday. "There's a good chance you'll see both of them Saturday. We'll probably name a starter before the game. We've got two guys we can win with. They both bring a lot to the table."
Kokal brings experience, but not against UC. In Miami's 24-10 loss at Nippert Stadium last season, Raudabaugh started in place of Kokal, who was ill, and completed 21-of-48 passes for 190 yards and two interceptions.
Montgomery said he still has a high opinion of Kokal.
"Looking at the film (at Minnesota) I thought Mike played a little better than I did during the game," Mongomery said.
On the other hand, Montgomery said he was "very proud" of Raudabaugh. "He came in and gave us a chance to win. If we decide to play him Saturday, whether it's in rotating series or at some point of the game, it won't be because Mike Kokal didn't play well, but because Daniel Raudabaugh played really well."
Hoping for the best
The RedHawks are keeping their fingers crossed that the knee injuries suffered last Saturday by senior tailback Brandon Murphy and junior middle linebacker Joey Hudson are not serious.
"As of right now, we're still trying to gather some information through MRIs and checkups," Montgomery said Tuesday. "There is a chance one or both could be back very shortly, there is a chance one or both could be long term."
Hudson would be replaced by junior Chris Shula. The son of former Cincinnati Bengals coach Dave Shula and grandson of former Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Colts coach Don Shula recorded a career-high 11 tackles while filling in against Minnesota.
Miami won't have much depth at linebacker since freshman Ryan Kennedy still is out with a knee injury. "We hope to get him back in the next couple weeks," Montgomery said.
Worse news for the RedHawks is that starting right guard Matt McKeown "is going to have surgery and is out for the year" after injuring his shoulder on the first play from scrimmage in the opener at Ball State.
Senior Mike Kokal has started the RedHawks' last nine games, but sophomore Daniel Raudabaugh took Kokal's place midway through the fourth quarter during their triple-overtime loss at Minnesota last weekend.Raudabaugh guided the RedHawks to three straight scoring drives to bring Miami all the way back from a 28-12 deficit.
"I don't know what we're going to do right now," Miami coach Shane Montgomery said Tuesday. "There's a good chance you'll see both of them Saturday. We'll probably name a starter before the game. We've got two guys we can win with. They both bring a lot to the table."
Kokal brings experience, but not against UC. In Miami's 24-10 loss at Nippert Stadium last season, Raudabaugh started in place of Kokal, who was ill, and completed 21-of-48 passes for 190 yards and two interceptions.
Montgomery said he still has a high opinion of Kokal.
"Looking at the film (at Minnesota) I thought Mike played a little better than I did during the game," Mongomery said.
On the other hand, Montgomery said he was "very proud" of Raudabaugh. "He came in and gave us a chance to win. If we decide to play him Saturday, whether it's in rotating series or at some point of the game, it won't be because Mike Kokal didn't play well, but because Daniel Raudabaugh played really well."
Hoping for the best
The RedHawks are keeping their fingers crossed that the knee injuries suffered last Saturday by senior tailback Brandon Murphy and junior middle linebacker Joey Hudson are not serious.
"As of right now, we're still trying to gather some information through MRIs and checkups," Montgomery said Tuesday. "There is a chance one or both could be back very shortly, there is a chance one or both could be long term."
Hudson would be replaced by junior Chris Shula. The son of former Cincinnati Bengals coach Dave Shula and grandson of former Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Colts coach Don Shula recorded a career-high 11 tackles while filling in against Minnesota.
Miami won't have much depth at linebacker since freshman Ryan Kennedy still is out with a knee injury. "We hope to get him back in the next couple weeks," Montgomery said.
Worse news for the RedHawks is that starting right guard Matt McKeown "is going to have surgery and is out for the year" after injuring his shoulder on the first play from scrimmage in the opener at Ball State.
