The Miami University football team won’t have to go very far on its next road trip.

The RedHawks captured a 56-49 shootout at Akron over the weekend, improving to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-American Conference East Division. Now they’re bracing for their final nonconference game of the season, a trek to unbeaten Cincinnati on Saturday night.

MU coach Don Treadwell doesn’t believe switching gears will be a problem for his players.

“I don’t think so because of the opponent that we’re playing,” Treadwell said. “The Cincinnati rivalry goes way back.”

Indeed, these two schools started playing in 1888 and have met 116 times, with Miami holding a 59-50-7 advantage in the series. They’ve played every season since 1945.

The Bearcats have been dominant of late, winning the last six meetings. The smallest margin of victory during that stretch was 14 points.

UC has beaten Pittsburgh (34-10), Delaware State (23-7) and Virginia Tech (27-24). The latter affair was decided by a 39-yard touchdown pass from Munchie Legaux to Damon Julian with 13 seconds to play.

Legaux, a junior, is 53-of-97 for 789 yards and seven TDs. His No. 1 receiver has been senior Kenbrell Thompkins (12 catches, 204 yards, 1 TD).

The Bearcats’ leading rushers are redshirt senior George Winn (52 carries, 318 yards, 2 TDs) and Legaux (25 carries, 169 yards).

UC is averaging 475.3 yards per game and giving up an average of 359.3. Senior linebackers Greg Blair and Maalik Bomar are the top tacklers with 30 and 29, respectively.

Miami totaled a MAC-record 705 yards against Akron, yet gave up 629. The RedHawks’ defensive average is now a staggering 517.2, which ranks 117th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

MU senior quarterback Zac Dysert is 125-of-187 for 1,413 yards and 11 touchdowns.