Miami Ohio University Athletics
Roethlisberger Earns MVP Honors at Miami Football Banquet
12/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 9, 2001
Freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) was named Miami University's Most Valuable Player for the 2001 season at today's annual Miami football banquet, held on campus at the Shriver Center. The RedHawks closed the 2001 season with a 7-5 record-their eighth straight winning campaign.
Roethlisberger, the nation's top freshman quarterback in passing yards, touchdown passes and total offense, put together the best season ever for a Miami quarterback, breaking school records for passing yards (3,105), completions (241), touchdowns (25), completion percentage (63.3 percent) and total offense (3,294). All of those totals rank among the top 10 in MAC history, and his yardage and touchdown totals were both MAC freshmen records. In the past two weeks, Roethlisberger has earned MAC Freshman of the Year by the coaches and The Sporting News and was named second-team all-Mid-American Conference.
Also honored were defensive end Bob Petrovic (South Euclid, Ohio/St. Ignatius), who received the Alumni Senior Scholar-Athlete Award, wide receiver Jason Branch (LaBelle, Fla./LaBelle), who was awarded the Keith Swailes Outstanding Junior Award, and defensive back Matt Pusateri (Dublin, Ohio/Bishop Watterson), who received the John Baumes Outstanding Freshman Award.
Petrovic also was awarded the Vic Waltz Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award, while junior kick returner Milt Bowen (Newfield, N.J./Delsea Regional) received the Special Teams MVP award. True freshman Mike Larkin (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier), who finished his rookie season as the RedHawks' leading receiver with 672 yards, received the John Scherz Outstanding Walk-on Award.
Two Soaring Hawk awards, given for special achievement throughout the season, were bestowed upon wide receiver Chauncey Henry (Frostproof, Fla./Frostproof) and defensive back Rod Clark (Cocoa, Fla./Cocoa). Head coach Terry Hoeppner also awarded Offensive and Defensive Playmaker of the Year awards. The respective recipients were junior wide receiver Eddie Tillitz (Martinsville, IN/Martinsville) and junior linebacker Matt Robillard (Milford, Conn./Millford Academy). Strength coach Dan Dalrymple awarded tight end Julian Goodman (Wheatley Heights, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West) as the team's "Lifter of the Year."
Senior defensive lineman Gino DiGiandomenico (Livonia, Mich./Redford Central Catholic) and center Paul Thaler (Cleves, Ohio/LaSalle) were both honored for their service as team captains.
Most Valuable Player: Ben Roethlisberger
John Baumes Outstanding Freshman: Matt Pusateri
Keith Swailes Outstanding Junior: Jason Branch
Outstanding Specialist: Milt Bowen
Vic Walz Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Bob Petrovic
Alumni Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Bob Petrovic
Captain Awards: Gino DiGiandomenico and Paul Thaler
John Scherz Outstanding Walk-on Award: Mike Larkin
