OXFORD — Football season officially arrived in Oxford on Wednesday as Miami University opened fall camp with heightened expectations and just one month to prepare for a challenging season opener at Pittsburgh.
The first practice of August brought the energy that accompanies every new season, but Miami coach Chuck Martin said the excitement must quickly give way to preparation as the RedHawks begin their pursuit of another Mid-American Conference championship.
“It’s great to be back out here,” Martin said. “We’ve had a great offseason, great spring, great summer. The kids are well prepared, and we’re excited to get out here and get going.”
Miami opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 at Pittsburgh before returning home to face Holy Cross. The RedHawks also travel to TQL Stadium to face Cincinnati for the annual Victory Bell game and host Connecticut to complete a demanding nonconference schedule before beginning MAC play.
Martin wasted little time reminding his team that the opener against the Panthers leaves no room for a slow start to camp.
“We’ve got a game right around the corner,” Martin said. “Pitt will be a very, very, very tough challenge for our kids. We’ve got to start preparing for that moment right now if we have any chance to go there and put on a good showing.”
The opening workout also marked the beginning of the learning curve for Miami’s freshman class. Martin said the transition from high school football to the Division I level is one of the biggest adjustments young players will ever face.
“The biggest jump from high school to college is the speed of the game,” Martin said. “It’s not just the speed of the players. It’s how quickly you have to think and make decisions because everything happens so fast.
“The only way you make the adjustment is you go play. You get out there, start practicing and start playing. Some guys rise up to the challenge, some guys back away from it, and then you find out who’s going to be a good college football player.”
Martin enters his 13th season leading the RedHawks after building one of the MAC’s most consistent programs. Miami has reached each of the last three MAC Championship Games.
The RedHawks return several experienced contributors from last season while welcoming one of the nation’s largest groups of newcomers. Martin said that combination produced a productive offseason, beginning with spring practice and continuing through summer workouts.
Tuesday’s opening practice reflected the enthusiasm that accompanies the start of every season, but Martin knows the excitement alone won’t carry Miami through a challenging schedule.
“Everybody’s excited,” Martin said. “The fans are excited. The media’s excited. Football season’s here. America loves football. Now we get to go out and practice, get better day by day and grind through this to get ready to have a great season.”
