Travis Prentice needs 19 TDs to break Ricky Williams' NCAA record.

Unless you've got a notion to get in the way of the "outside zone," a basic off-tackle play that's one of the staples of the Miami offense. Or put the hurt on quarterback Mike Bath with a blitz.

At that point, the old saw about nice guys finishing last best applies.

And the 6-foot-1, 228-pound Prentice has no intention of finishing last, especially not after a season in which the Mid-American Conference RedHawks finished 10-1, but out of the bowl picture.

"Yeah, it didn't feel too good, not getting to play in a bowl game," Prentice said. "We've got to win the conference to be assured of one. This year we don't want to be sitting around and hoping."

The postseason snub came despite a media blitz that accompanied a seven-game win streak and amazing line by Prentice: 1,787 yards rushing, 20 touchdowns, zero fumbles. One more time for clarity -- no fumbles.

Prentice remains well-mannered. But there's a sense of urgency in the Louisville native's voice that's mildly threatening. Which is exactly what first-year coach Terry Hoeppner wants. If he could bottle it, every member of the Miami roster would have some in his locker.

"Typically, an offensive player is more passive, and the defense is always the aggressor, but when I'm playing, I try to run the ball like a linebacker," Prentice said. "You want to make the first blow. You want to make a statement."

The RedHawks did just that with a 13-10 upset over then-No. 12 ranked North Carolina last year. Prentice ran for 162 yards and a touchdown, making him the first player to run for more than 150 yards against UNC since 1989. But a 31-17 loss to MAC champion Marshall sealed their fate. Prentice was held to just 84 yards.

Collectively, they dropped the ball, something that's not tolerated in Oxford. Prentice has not lost a fumble in 684 carries. It's just one statistic in a collection that might just overcome the small-school prejudice that many players fail to shake.

Two years ago he led the nation with 25 touchdowns, setting school and conference records in the process. Last season he finished second in the nation in rushing to Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. He was third in TDs with 20 and was honored as MAC offensive player of the year and a seminfinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back in the country.

"I don't think there's a better back in the country," said former Miami and current Northwestern head coach Randy Walker. "I've coached eight running backs who went on to play in the NFL and Travis is better than all of them."

The Miami athletic department is determined to get that message out. It has launched a Heisman Trophy campaign for Prentice, who needs 19 touchdowns and 2,343 yards to break Williams' career NCAA records.

The school has mailed 650 media guides, and has prepared a video that will be distributed to the national media. It has created a website (www.tdtravis.com) that will be updated twice weekly with news and numbers from Prentice's file.

And at halftime of home games, a Travis Time Clock will count down the number of touchdowns Prentice needs to become the all-time NCAA leader.

For all the hype, Prentice remains relatively unaffected. Although some Big Ten schools showed interest, he wasn't heavily recruited in high school.

Like Miami's basketball star, all-American Wally Szczerbiak, he's in no hurry to bask in the national spotlight now that it's come his way.

"I really try not to think about (winning the Heisman)," he said. "When I go back and sit in my room and look at football magazines, maybe then it creeps into my mind," Prentice said.

"If you think about it you can get caught up and it, and you'll forget what got you there in the first place."