Spring Drills Wrap Up on Saturday with Red & White Game

Like anxious job applicants, members of Miami University's football squad are excited to begin the last week of their five-week "internship", culminating with their all-important "final interview" at the annual Red & White Game this Saturday (April 28). The scrimmage, free to the general public, begins at 12 noon at Yager Stadium.

Several individuals, such as quarterback Zac Dysert (Ada), receiver Nick Harwell (Missouri City, TX), defensive lineman Austin Brown (Woodbridge, VA) and cornerback Dayonne Nunley (Monroeville, PA), have starting jobs lined up for the 2012 season, but there are many other players who are still scrambling for starting and back-up positions on Miami's two-deep.

Coach Don Treadwell's staff is probably more concerned with completing the tasks that they had penciled in for the spring drills that began on March 26.

"The coordinators and I have a long laundry list of things we need to touch on during the final week of practice," said Treadwell. "We've spent a lot of time staying pretty basic things and slowly adding some wrinkles to an existing concept. We'll continue to work our players hard but, at the same time, add some things that we still need to see offensively, defensively and on special teams."

Treadwell said that Saturday afternoon's format will be identical to the other scrimmages the team has already held.

"Our spring game will be a situational scrimmage, very similar to the scrimmages we've already had during our first four weeks," said Treadwell. "We'll give them a down and distance and they'll play the series. If the defense stops the offense, they'll come off the field, or vice versa. Depending upon the availability of our players, we may throw some special teams plays into the mix. We're going to try to give everyone an opportunity to play before their friends and family, and carry some momentum as we head into the fall."

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YOUTH CLINIC SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY: Miami University's football coaching staff will again host a free RedHawk Youth Football Clinic this spring for kids ages eight-to-12 years old, prior to the Saturday, April 28, Red & White Spring Game.

Registration for young "prospects" will begin at at Yager Stadium at 9 a.m. Everyone will received a free T-shirt and wristband.

Nearly 100 kids participated a year ago. Coach Don Treadwell will speak to the group on the field at 9:30, then they'll line up for stretching and Miami jumping jacks immediately afterwards. There will be four different stations set up around the field, including ball drills, the blocking sled, a hook and swat drill for defensive players, and a cone drill. After 30 minutes of practice, Coach Treadwell will call the kids up for final remarks, then distribute posters when Miami players will be available for autographs.

Finally, the kids will be able to tour the weight room at the Gross Center. They'll be brought back down to the stadium to be reunited with their parents for concessions stand snacks.

The Red & White Game begins at 12 noon. For more information about the RedHawk Young Football Clinic, call Reed Schuitema at (513) 529-9568.

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SIATRAS NAMED REDHAWK RECRUITING COORDINATOR: Coach Don Treadwell has named defensive line coach Nick Siatras as Miami football's recruiting coordinator. The Youngstown, Ohio, native played offensive and defensive line at Campbell Memorial High School, earning first-team All-Northeast Ohio honors as a senior. He played one season (2000) at center at Youngstown State.

"It's a natural position for Nick," said Treadwell. "He's got really good organizational skills and very good people skills, things you need in that particular role. He's really excited about it and has jumped in with both feet. Coach (Mark) Spencer will help him out with recruiting as well. Our staff recruits as a family and we're happy that Nick will be directing our efforts."