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OXFORD — There are a lot of adjectives you can use to describe a football game between a pair of 2-8 teams.

But "meaningless" isn't one of them.

At least not according to Miami University coach Shane Montgomery, whose RedHawks will face Toledo tonight, Nov. 21, at the Glass Bowl.

"Even though the season has not gone the way we've wanted it to, we still have an opportunity to win a couple of football games to end the year, and that's what our effort is going toward right now," Montgomery said.

Miami has lost three games in a row and six of its last seven. Toledo has dropped four straight and seven of eight.

"You always want to end the season on a high note," Montgomery said. "It really doesn't matter what kind of season you're having, you always want to finish strong. Because for the seniors, no matter what happens, you always remember your last couple games."

While the RedHawks are playing for their seniors, the Rockets are playing for their seniors and their coach. Tom Amstutz has already announced he will step down at the end of the year after 33 years with the Toledo program as a player, assistant coach and, for the last eight years, as the head coach.

The Rockets' final two games are at home, and that should make for an emotional setting for both Amstutz and the players.

"Tom's been a great ambassador for (the Mid-American Conference)," Montgomery said. "It's going to be an emotional ending for him. And for as much as he's meant to their program with over 30 years there, they're gonna want to send him out on a winning note."

Among the players trying to send Amstutz out a winner are 2008 Hamilton High School graduates Kenny Veal (cornerback), Damien McIntosh (linebacker) and Phillip Manley (left guard).

All three have been in the rotation for playing time as true freshmen.

Miami has been using its share of young players, too, thanks to a rash of injuries. But Montgomery said traits such as experience, health and even talent likely won't be as important in determining a winner tonight as will pure desire.

"When you get to the end of this kind of season and you have teams who are very similar, you're gonna see what it means to the kids," Montgomery said. "You want to see them come out and play like we're playing for the championship. And that's the only way I expect our guys to play."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.

Today's game

Who: Miami RedHawks (2-8, 1-5 MAC East) at Toledo Rockets (2-8, 1-5 MAC West)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Glass Bowl (26,248), Toledo

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450)

Series: Miami leads 27-20

Last meeting: Toledo won 35-27 in the 2004 MAC Championship game