Don Treadwell expects a passionate effort in Miami University’s football season finale Friday, even with his team dropping five of its last six games.

“Every week we play for Miami pride,” Treadwell said Saturday after MU absorbed a 30-16 defeat at Central Michigan. “Our guys have stuck together to this point, and I’m sure we’ll finish strong with that mentality.”

The RedHawks, 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the Mid-American Conference East Division, will try to avoid their second straight 4-8 record under Treadwell when they host Ball State on Friday afternoon. This will be Miami’s sixth losing season in seven years.

The Cardinals (8-3, 5-2 MAC West) are one of the MAC’s hottest teams. They’re riding a five-game winning streak with victories over Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Army, Toledo and Ohio.

Ball State is averaging 35.4 points and 481.2 yards per game with a high-powered offense directed by quarterback Keith Wenning, who’s completed 279-of-426 passes for 2,878 yards and 22 touchdowns. But the junior suffered an ankle injury during last Wednesday’s win over Ohio, and his status for the Miami game is unknown.

BSU has two other 1,000-yard players — sophomore running back Jahwan Edwards (200 carries, 1,223 yards, 11 TDs) and sophomore receiver Willie Snead (76 catches, 1,000 yards, seven TDS).

Miami has a 16-10-1 advantage in the series with the Cardinals, who won the last meeting 31-16 in 2008.