Miami University
University of Hawaii
Miami Edged By Hawaii, 52-51
11/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov 17, 2001
By JAYMES SONG
Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU - Justin Ayat kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired Saturday night to give Hawaii a wild 52-51 victory over Miami of Ohio.
The game-winning three-pointer came on Ayat's second attempt as the RedHawks were whistled for being offside on his first attempt from 29 yards.
The field goal complimented a sparkling performance by Nick Rolovich, who set a Hawaii record with seven touchdown passes, surpassing the previous mark of five set two years ago by Dan Robinson. Rolovich finished with 30 completions for 500 yards.
With the Warriors (7-3) trailing, 51-49 and only one minute left on the clock, Rolovich drove Hawaii 46 yards to set up Ayat's kick. The series was set up by a 35-yard kickoff return by Chad Owens.
Ben Roethlisberger had put the RedHawks (7-4) ahead on a 9-yard quarterback draw with 1:08 remaining, but Hawaii's Sean Butts blocked Jared Parseghian's extra-point attempt to make it a 51-49 game.
Rolovich's scoring passes went to Ashley Lelie (78, 10 and 60 yards), Channon Harris (7 and 21), Justin Colbert (10) and Craig Stutzmann (3). Since taking over for injured starter Timmy Chang, Rolovich has guided the Warriors to a 6-1 record. Hawaii rushed the ball only 11 times for 45 yards.
For Miami, which controlled time of possession 40:40 to 19:20), Roethlisberger completed 40-of-53 passes for 452 yards and three touchdowns to go with his one rushing score. He connected on scoring passes to Jason Branch (16 and 5 yards) and Chauncy Henry (39). The RedHawks balanced their attack with Steve Little rushing for 122 yards and three touchdowns (2, 12 and 1).
The Warriors trailed until almost midway through the final quarter when Rolovich hooked up with Harris on a scoring passes that put them ahead 42-38.
Miami took the lead two more times before Ayat's game-winner.
Hawaii put together a scoring string of six consecutive touchdowns - two on its final two possessions in the first half and four more in the third and fourth quarters - to pull out the win.
Miami at Hawai'i
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Honolulu, Hawai'i - Aloha Stadium
Miami Notes
* Steve Little's two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was his sixth touchdown of the season and his fourth in the last two three games. His three rushing touchdowns in the game are a new career high.
* Little's second touchdown of the first quarter gave him his fourth multiple-touchdown game of the season and the sixth of his career.
* With 452 yards tonight, freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger broke the school single-season passing record, surpassing Mike Bath's previous record of 2,525 set in 1999. The 13-yard pass to Jason Branch that broke the record was his 12th straight completion to start the game. He missed his next pass to go 12-for-13 to begin the game.
* After not throwing a touchdown pass for the first time in his career last week vs. Marshall, Roethlisberger tossed three versus the Warriors this week. He now has 24 in his career, which ties him with Mike Bath's 1999 total for the school single-season record.
* Roethlisberger set career highs for completions (40), attempts (53), passing yards (452) and all-purpose yards (484). His completion, passing yard and all-purpose-yard totals are school records as well. His season total of 3,110 all-purpose shatters Bath's school single-season standard of 2,739.
* Eddie Tillitz's 12 receptions is the second most in school history. Andy Schillinger hauled in 13 passes vs. Toledo in 1987.
* Miami set a school record with 35 first downs, breaking the old mark of 34, set in 1997 against Ohio. * Hawaii's 78-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter is the longest play Miami has allowed this season.
* Miami's 16 penalties is a school single-game record and its 121 penalty yards are a season high.
* Miami's 28 first-half points are the most it has scored in the first two quarters this season.
* Michael Larkin's 13-yard second-quarter reception and Eddie Tillitz's 24-yarder in the second put them over the 500-yard mark for the season. They are the 16th and 17th receivers in school history, respectively, to accomplish that feat. Along with Jason Branch, who eclipsed 500 yards last week versus Marshall, they comprise the first trio of receivers in the history of Miami football to each go over 500 yards in a season.
* Jared Parseghian's 42-yard field goal in the third quarter is a career long and is the longest by Miami this season.
* Miami's 51 points are the most it has scored in a game since its 62-26 win over Kent State on Oct. 11, 1997.
* With Justin Ayat's 24-yard, game-winning field goal as time expired, Miami lost a game on the final play for the first time since 1994, when Central Michigan beat the RedHawks on a 19-yard touchdown pass at the gun.
