RedHawks and Bulls Battle in Oxford
10/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 2, 2001
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Match-Up at a Glance: Stadium: Yager Stadium (30,012) Surface: Natural Grass Kickoff: 2 p.m. EDT Site: Oxford, Ohio Radio: Miami Sports Network (Pregame at 1 p.m.) Cybercast: www.MURedHawks.com Series Record: Miami leads 3-0/Streak - Miami 3
THE GAME After posting its first conference victory last week at Ball State and riding a two-game winning streak, Miami (2-2, 1-0 MAC) returns to Oxford to take on Mid-American Conference foe Buffalo (1-3, 0-2 MAC) in the RedHawks' first MAC East Division contest this Saturday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. The RedHawks look to keep things going after rolling up victories over Cincinnati (21-14) and Ball State (28-20) the last two weeks to get back to .500. Coincidently, the last time Miami was at .500 was heading into last year's season finale vs. Buffalo. The RedHawks pulled out a 17-16 victory versus the Bulls to clinch their seventh straight winning season. Buffalo, on the other hand, is coming off a close loss at home to Central Michigan, 16-8. The Bulls are looking for the program's fourth overall win since turning Division I-A in 1999 and its third MAC win.
TERRY HOEPPNER
After spending 13 years as a Miami assistant, Terry Hoeppner (pronounced HEP-ner) was named the RedHawks' head coach in 1999. He posted a 7-4 record in his inaugural season, joining the likes of coaching legends John Pont, Ara Parseghian and Bill Mallory as seven-game winners in their first season as a Miami head coach. A 1969 graduate of Franklin (Ind.) College, Hoeppner owns a 15-11 overall record in his third year as a head coach. Since coming to Miami in 1986 under then head coach Tim Rose, he has served as a linebacker coach (1986), defensive back coach (1987-93), assistant head coach/defensive back coach (1993-95) and assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (1995-98). Hoeppner's other college coaching stint came at his alma mater as defensive coordinator (1980-86). Miami's record with Hoeppner as defensive coordinator was 32-11-1 and 44-22-2 as an assistant head coach. He is 0-1 vs. Ball State.
COACHING CHANGES FOR 2001
There are two new additions to the Miami coaching staff for 2001. Shane Montgomery, a former record-setting quarterback at North Carolina State (1987-89) and an eight-year assistant at Tennessee-Chattanooga, is returning to his native state to serve as the RedHawks' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He replaces Greg Seamon. Brian George, a graduate assistant for the RedHawks the past two seasons, has been promoted to defensive line coach and replaces the position previously held by Ron Johnson. The only other coaching responsibility change for the upcoming season has Bobby Johnson taking on the additional duty of coaching the tackles.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the fourth meeting between the RedHawks and Bulls, with Miami holding a 3-0 advantage. Miami won the inaugural meeting in 1951-a 27-7 decision in Oxford. Last year, Buffalo's second season as a MAC football member, the RedHawks squeaked out a 17-16 victory in the season finale to keeps its streak of winning seasons alive at seven.
* 1951 at Miami 27, Buffalo 7 * 1999 at Miami 43, Buffalo 0 * 2000 Miami 17, at Buffalo 16
At Oxford: Miami leads 2-0 At Buffalo: Miami leads 1-0 Most Miami Points: 43 (43-0) in 1999 Most Buffalo Points: 16 (17-16) in 2000 Biggest Miami win: 43 (43-0) in 1999 Biggest Buffalo win: -
A MIAMI WIN WILL ... * Move the RedHawks to 2-0 to start the MAC season for the third year in a row, * Make the RedHawks 2-0 at home for the first time to start the year since 1998, * Put the RedHawks on a three-game winning streak for the first time since finishing the 1998 season 7-0, and * Keep the RedHawks unbeaten versus Buffalo at 4-0.
A MIAMI LOSS WILL ...
* Snap the RedHawks' three-game home winning streak, dating back to last season, and * Be just the RedHawks' second home loss (currently 10-1) to a MAC East opponent since the league broke into two divisions in 1997.
THE MAC DIVISIONAL FORMAT
Per NCAA regulations, the format for determining the MAC's divisional champions was altered slightly last year. The rule states that in order to conduct a title game, each divisional opponent must play the other teams in its respective division. Since the MAC is presently unbalanced with seven teams in the East and six in the West, only divisional records will be used to determine the respective champions. Head-to-head competition will be used as the initial tie-breaker in determining the divisional champion. If that formula does not break the tie, then a team's record against its non-divisional foes would come into play. The 2001 MAC football schedule reflects an emphasis on divisional competition while also sustaining league rivalries. Miami plays its six East rivals, as well as West Division foes Western Michigan and Ball State.
Miami-Buffalo Ties
Buffalo head coach Jim Hofher and Director of Athletics, Bob Arkeilpane both have ties to Miami University and the Cradle of Coaches. Hofher spent 1981-82 in Oxford as an assistant for Tom Reed in his final two years at Miami, helping with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. It was his first full-time college coaching position of his career. Arkeilpane spent 1993-95 in Oxford as the athletic department's assistant athletic director for divisional support-athletics.
SHOOTING FOR 600
Miami, which ranks 13th nationally among long-running Division I-A football programs for overall winning percentage, can join an elite club with a win this week versus Buffalo. It would be the Red and White's 600th all-time victory, making Miami the 22nd school to accomplish the feat. North Carolina was the last team to join the club and sits 21st with 602 victories. Miami can be the first MAC program to reach this milestone.
Miami Milestone Wins
No. Opponent Score Year Coach1 at Cincinnati 34-0 1889 No Paid Coach100 vs. Kenyon 41-7 1920 George Little200 at Cincinnati 16-7 1938 Frank Wilton300 vs. Ohio 34-7 1955 Ara Parseghian400 vs. Dayton 17-0 1970 Bill Mallory500 at Northern Illinois 20-7 1984 Tim Rose
A Tale of Two Weeks
In the first four weeks of the season, opponents have seen two distinctly different Miami defenses. In the first two weeks against Michigan and Iowa, the RedHawks allowed 37.5 points per game and 407 yards of total offense. In comparison, in Miami's two wins vs. Cincinnati and Ball State, the Miami defense has returned to form, giving up just 17 points and 280.5 yards per game. The biggest defensive difference has come in pressuring the quarterback. After getting just two sacks and one interception to start the year, the RedHawk defense has gotten to the quarterback four times in the last two weeks and forced three interceptions. Combine that with fewer mistakes, a -4 turnover in the first two weeks to a +1 in the last two, Miami is back to .500 for the first time this season.
A Return to the Run
After being hit with injuries to junior wide receiver Eddie Tillitz and senior offensive lineman Phil Hawk and encountering a Ball State defense that complicated the passing game, Miami returned to what it has always done in the past: run the football. This past week vs. Ball State, Miami racked up 212 yards rushing led by sophomore Cal Murray's career-best 183 yards. Murray was pressed into action this week after sophomore Luke Clemens went down late versus Cincinnati and back-up Steve Little was not quite 100 percent. In head coach Terry Hoeppner's two-plus seasons at Miami, the RedHawks are 10-2 when out-rushing their opponents and 3-1 when breaking the 200-yard barrier.
Spreading It Around
Freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been trying to keep all of his receivers happy this year, spreading the ball around to 12 different receivers. Of that group, seven have caught at least five passes, led by Roethlisberger's favorite target Jason Branch with 16. In each of the last two weeks, Roethlisberger has gotten the ball to eight different receivers.
REDHAWKS AT YAGER
Since moving to Yager in 1983, the RedHawks have posted a 52-29-4 record (.635), but a slightly better 15-4 mark the past three-plus seasons. Only Miami's 12-1-1 mark from 1984-86 represents a better three-year home record at Yager. In conference games in Yager since 1990, Miami is 33-10-1, including a 2-0 mark vs. Buffalo.
REDHAWKS ON THE ROAD
The 2001 Miami football team will log approximately 5,885 miles traveling to its seven away games this season, including stops in Ann Arbor, Mich., Iowa City, Iowa, Kent, Ohio, Muncie, Ind., Athens, Ohio, Bowling Green, Ohio, and, finally, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The bulk of the heavy travel came in its first two trips to Ann Arbor and Iowa City as they comprise half of the travel miles (730 of 1,457 miles), excluding Hawaii.
TURNOVERS TELL MOST OF THE STORY
Much like it was a year ago with mistakes, eight turnovers and a -3 margin have played a major factor in the RedHawks' two losses. Since the start of the 2000 season, Miami is 7-0 when committing two or fewer turnovers per game. When the RedHawks suffered three or more miscues, they are 1-7. Miami's opponents have capitalized on the eight turnovers, scoring six touchdowns. The only victory with more than three turnovers came in last year's season finale, when Miami eked out a 17-16 victory at Buffalo. Last year, the RedHawks finished the season with a -12 turnover margin, which ranked 108th nationally. Two years ago when the RedHawks went 10-1, they ranked first in MAC turnover margin and 15th nationally (+10).
DOZEN IS DANDY
For the first time in school history, Miami plays 12 regular-season games. The RedHawks earned the extra game with the addition of Hawai'i to their schedule this fall. Contests played outside the continental United States are considered "exempt" games and do not count toward an institution's regular-season slate.
GUNNING FOR AN EIGHTH STRAIGHT WINNING SEASON
Coming off a 6-5 record, Miami shoots for its eighth straight winning season this fall. The RedHawks are 51-26-2 during this current string. The school record for consecutive winning seasons is 17 (1943-1959), while the record for consecutive non-losing seasons is 33 (1943-1975).
GETTING OFF TO A FRESH(man) START
Redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) has turned in solid outings in his first three career starts for Miami, in which he completed 62-of-102 passes for 752 yards and seven touchdowns. In each of his starts, Roethlisberger has at least one touchdowns and has been a part of nine of RedHawks' 12 touchdowns, passing for seven and running for two more. Against Iowa and Cincinnati, Roethlisberger showed another less touted side of his game, as he ran for a combined 109 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run for the RedHawks' first score of the game versus Iowa. In terms of the debuts of Miami starting quarterbacks since 1991, Roethlisberger's 18 completions and 193 passing yards versus Michigan are second only to Sam Ricketts' totals of 24 and 281 versus Ball State in 1994. His two touchdown passes were one fewer than the number Neil Dougherty threw versus Ohio in 1991, while his 35 pass attempts are the most any Miami freshman quarterback has made in his debut in that time. Three of his 18 completions went for 20 yards or more, including a 21-yard scoring strike to Eddie Tillitz. Before Roethlisberger, the last time a Miami quarterback made his first collegiate start as a freshman was on Nov. 5, 1994, a span of 67 games, when Ricketts engineered a late come-from-behind 24-21 victory over Ball State. Roethlisberger comes to Miami as one of the most highly touted recruits in recent years. In 1999, he was named the Ohio Division I Offensive Player of the Year, setting state passing records for yards (4,041) and touchdowns (54). In the recruiting battle, Miami beat out Ohio State and Duke for Roethlisberger's services.
HURRY-UP HAWKS
With the new spread offense that is being employed this season, one thing is for certain: Miami can score quickly from anywhere. In the first three games, the RedHawks scored 12 touchdowns, covering an average of 74 yards per drive in just over 3:12 per drive. All but five of those touchdowns were made on plays in excess of 20 yards (21, 80, 56, 40, 45, 46 and 32 yards). The RedHawks biggest long-ball threat through the first three games has been freshman wide receiver Michael Larkin, the roommate of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is averaging 29.1 yards per catch and has touchdowns of 56 and 43 yards. Sophomore running back Cal Murray has been the RedHawks big scoring threat on the ground with scoring runs of 46- and 32-yards last week versus Ball State.
Walk-on Warriors
Two former Miami walk-ons, sophomore running back Luke Clemens (Dayton, OH/Bellbrook) and redshirt freshman strong safety Matt Pusateri (Dublin, OH/Bishop Watterson), have shown in the last couple weeks why they earned scholarships this past off-season. Clemens, a versatile player that can play in both the offensive and defensive backfield, led the RedHawks in rushing after the first three weeks with 241 yards on 57 carries (4.2 yards per carry). He also managed seven catches for 57 yards. Clemens posted the best game of his short career versus Cincinnati, finishing second on the team with 140 all-purpose yards, including his first 100-yard game (111 yards on 24 carries). Clemens sat out last week vs. Ball State with an ankle injury. Last year, Clemens was named Miami's Outstanding Walk-on, seeing limited action as a defensive back and a member of the special teams. The coaching staff made the decision this spring to try him at tailback. Clemens, a running back in high school, piled up a school-record 5,300 yards in his four-year career at Bellbrook. In 1999, he was named the Ohio Division III Offensive Player of the Year, racking up 2,400 yards rushing and 33 TDs. The 1999 Ohio Division III Defensive Player of the Year, Pusateri took advantage of his first career start, finishing the game at Michigan with 13 tackles, one for a two-yard loss, and a pass defended. After four weeks of play, he sits fourth in the MAC with 11.2 tackles per game. After being redshirted last year, the hard-hitting Pusateri earned the top safety spot on the depth chart coming out of spring practice.
NOT YOUR ORDINARY MR. JONES
Sophomore middle linebacker Terrell Jones (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville) continues to post impressive numbers on defense, averaging 10.0 tackles per game. Last year, as a true freshman, the plan was to redshirt Jones, but due to numerous injuries to the linebacking corps, he was pressed into action. In the final seven games of last season, Jones averaged 11.75 takedowns per game, which led the nation for all freshmen players. Jones was the only Miami player to pick up Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2000, receiving the award following his stellar performance in a Nov. 4 win against Ohio. Against the Bobcats' option attack, Jones racked up a career-best 23 tackles, including a personal-high 16 solo hits. He also forced a fumble at the end of the contest, which stopped any threat of an Ohio comeback. Jones totaled two tackles-for-loss, including a sack. In seven games last season, he amassed 84 tackles, which ranked third on the squad. Jones ranked second in the MAC in tackles per game. For his efforts, Jones was named a third-team Freshman all-American by The Sporting News.
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA
Last year, for the first time in Miami football history, the RedHawks produced multiple Verizon Academic All-America honorees. Graduated senior Brian Potter and returning junior wide receiver/punt returner Eddie Tillitz (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville) received first- and second-team recognition, respectively. Only two other individuals had been honored as Academic All-Americans in Miami football history: Andy Pederzolli in 1973 (first team) and Steve Dailey, the RedHawks' team physician, in 1984 (second team). Potter carried a 3.50 GPA in finance, while Tillitz held a 3.54 GPA in zoology. Place-kicker Andy Brumbergs (Solon, Ohio/Solon) was also nominated for the honor, he carried a 3.79 GPA in accountancy.
BRANCHING OUT
If the RedHawks would have named a "Most Improved Player" in 2000, sophomore wide receiver Jason Branch (LaBelle, Fla./LaBelle) would have made a strong run at the honor. With top receivers Sly Johnson and Ty Buxton ailing with injuries in the season's final weeks, Branch stepped up and delivered some key plays. He totaled a career-high 143 receiving yards vs. Ohio (Nov. 4) and caught a personal-best seven receptions (for 86 yards) against Marshall (Nov. 11). Branch, who finished with 24 catches for 351 yards and four touchdowns in the final five games, totaled 31 receptions for 541 yards and four TDs for the year. The 6-6 218-pound junior has been the RedHawks most consistent receiver the first month of this year, pulling in 16 receptions for 215 yards (13.4 yards per catch). Last week vs. Ball State Branch caught a season-high six passes for 52 yards, including his second touchdown of the year.
X-PERIENCE ON THE O-LINE
The offensive line is one area where offensive line coach John Peterson won't have to take much time explaining Xs and Os. Four of five starters return from last year's squad. The returning front four starters, seniors Joe Costello (Cheviot, OH/LaSalle), Paul Thaler (Cleves, OH/LaSalle), and Phil Hawk (Ashland, OH/Ashland) and sophomore Jacob Bell (Euclid, OH/St. Ignatius), have a combined 69 starts, including Bell, Hawk and Costello starting every game last year. For Costello and Thaler, their experience together dates back to their childhood and high school playing days in Cincinnati at LaSalle High School. The projected starting offensive line, with the addition of sophomore Ben Herrell (Middletown, WI/Middletown), comes in at an average height of 6-5 and a weight of 302 pounds.
MR. SMITH'S GO TO OXFORD
Miami's roster includes six players with the last name Smith-Dwight, Frank, Mike, Justin, Phil and Sherman. No other Division I-A football team has that many players with the same last name.
THAT OLD TOUCHDOWN MAGIC
Redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay, OH/Findlay) and redshirt freshman wide receiver Mike Iriti (Findlay, OH/Findlay) will be looking for that old high school magic that brought them to Miami two years ago. During their high school careers at Findlay, Roethlisberger connected with Iriti 22 times for touchdowns with all but one coming during their senior season (Roethlisberger's only year as a starting quarterback). That season, Roethlisberger broke the state single-season records for touchdowns (54) and passing yards (4,041) while Iriti caught 101 passes for 1,411 yards and scored a total of 25 TDs.
FAMILIAR NAME - Part I
As people read down Miami's roster, one quick question comes to mind as they come to redshirt freshman place-kicker Jared Parseghian (Sylvania, Ohio/St. John's): any relation to Ara Parseghian? The answer: yes. Jared is the great nephew of college coaching legend and Miami alumnus Ara Parseghian. This season, Parseghian has converted on 6-of-7 extra-point attempts.
FAMILIAR NAME - Part II
Freshman wide receiver Michael Larkin (Cincinnati, OH/St. Xavier) is another name on the Miami roster that also garners a great deal of attention as people scroll through. Larkin is the second cousin to the Larkin family, which includes Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, Xavier University's all-time leading basketball scorer Byron Larkin, and another Michael Larkin that played football at Notre Dame. Against Iowa, Miami's Michael Larkin made a grand debut, pulling in three catches for 121 yards, including his first career reception, which was a 56-yard touchdown pass. He has become the RedHawks' long-ball threat this season averaging 29.1 yards per catch.
