Sept 7, 2002

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OXFORD, Ohio (AP) - Brad Banks threw a 38-yard pass to set up a touchdown, then hooked up with C.J. Jones on a 48-yard score as Iowa rallied in the second half to beat Miami University 29-24 Saturday.

Iowa (2-0) turned to Banks to overcome a 17-16 deficit late in the third quarter, abandoning a plodding run-first approach that stalled.

Banks hit a closely guarded Maurice Brown in stride down the right sideline for a momentum-turning 38-yard completion. Jermelle Lewis' 12-yard touchdown run then put the Hawkeyes ahead to stay only 91 seconds after they fell behind.

Jones then caught a short pass, spun away from a defender and went down the sideline for a 48-yard touchdown that made it 29-17. Banks finished 18-of-27 for 256 yards.

Ben Roethlisberger, who passed for more yards and touchdowns than any other freshman last season, kept Miami (1-1) close. He was 33-of-51 for 343 yards and two touchdowns, and had two touchdown passes to Michael Larkin negated by penalties.

His 26-yard touchdown pass to Larkin - a second cousin to Reds shortstop Barry Larkin - was wiped out by a holding penalty midway through the fourth quarter.

On Miami's next drive, Roethlisberger threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jason Branch that cut it to 29-24 with 4:54 to play. Iowa then ran out the clock, with Fred Russell carrying five times for 47 yards on the clinching drive. Russell finished with 150 yards on 32 carries.

After Iowa took a quick 10-0 lead, Miami began moving the ball with its spread, four-receiver set orchestrated by Roethlisberger out of the shotgun.

RedHawks receivers ran short routes in front of the Hawkeyes' soft man-to-man coverage, and Roethlisberger was on target most of the time and kept them in the game.

Larkin broke free on a short crossing pattern underneath and dove over the end zone pylon, tying the game at 10.

Nate Kaeding's 27-yard field goal put Iowa up 13-10 at halftime, and he added a 49-yarder that matched his career high in the third quarter.

Miami got nine turnovers in its opening 27-21 win at North Carolina, and took the lead in the third quarter by getting another. Ed Hinkel fumbled a punt, and Miami recovered at the Iowa 22. Eddie Tillitz caught a pass on a slant pattern and was hit at the 3-yard line by Sean Considine, forcing a fumble into the end zone. Cal Murray fell on it for a 17-16 lead.

The RedHawks donned new red uniforms for the first visit by a Big Ten team in the school's 114-year football history.

By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer

GAME NOTES Miami University vs. University of Iowa Saturday, September 7, 2002 Yager Stadium - Oxford, OH

Team Notes ,,h Iowa held Miami to just 19 yards rushing in the first half, 14 of which came by way of junior running back Cal Murray. Miami now has a total of 57 yards rushing in the first halves its two games.
,,h Iowa's win over Miami gives Iowa a 2-0 lead in the all-time series. Miami lost to Iowa 44-19 in Iowa City last year. Iowa will host Miami next year to end the three-game contract.
,,h Although today marked the first home game against a Big Ten opponent, Miami's loss brings the all-time record against the Big Ten to 12-33-2.
,,h Today's game marked the first time since Miami's game against Kent State last year that the RedHawks were held to less than 50 yards rushing. Miami managed only 14 rushing yards on 17 attempts while Iowa had 188 yards on 40 rushes.
,,h Iowa was penalized six times for 74 yards to only three penalties on 30 yards for Miami. Miami's penalties proved to be costly after 2 potential touchdowns were called back due to interference and holding calls.

Individual Notes ,,h Sophomore wide receiver Michael Larkin continued his success vs. the Hawkeyes pulling in 7 catches for 83 yards and a toucdown today. In his debut last year vs. Iowa, Larkin hauled in three touchdowns and 121 yards in Iowa City.
,,h Iowa kicker Kaeding's 49-yard field goal in the third quarter tied a career long.
,,h Sophomore quarterback Ben Roethlisberger broke more Miami records with his 343 passing yards and 3 touchdowns against Iowa. Roethlisberger's three passing touchdowns moved him past Neil Dougherty (1991-95) and Larry Fostner (1975-78) into fourth on the career touchdown list. With his 320 yards of total offense yards, Roethlisberger passed Terry Morris to move into ninth place on the career offense list.
,,h Iowa quarterback Brad Banks completed 9 of his 12 passes in the second half for 155 yards and one touchdown. Banks finished the game with 18 completions on 27 attempts for 256 yards and one touchdown.
,,h Iowa wide receiver caught two passes in the second half for 85 yards and totaled 115 yards for the game.

POSTGAME QUOTES - IOWA
Miami University vs. University of Iowa
Saturday, September 7, 2002
Yager Stadium - Oxford, OH

Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
Opening Statement
"First of all, we're just thrilled about the way the game came out. The number one objective coming into this ballgame was to win the game, obviously. We knew it was going to be a tough challenge; coming into Oxford playing an excellent football team was our biggest concern. They played extremely well last week, we knew it was going to be a tough task, so we feel fortunate to get out of here. Our guys did a lot of good things, there are some things we're going to have to clean up, they forced us to do some things, making some plays against us."

On defending Ben Roethlisberger:
"He's a tremendous football player...tough to defend, he throws the ball around and really does a nice job."

"It's like playing any good passing team, we tried to pinch things up a little bit and ended up blitzing more than we would like, trying to do something to try and throw him off a little bit."

Iowa Player Quotes
Nate Kaeding, K, Jr.

On his increased role in this week's game compared to last week against Akron: "No matter who we're playing, I know I have to be ready to come in and play well, today I was able to get the ball to go through."

On preparing for Iowa State (next week): "This was a big win for us, getting the wins on the road is something we've had trouble doing the last few years. We feel that we beat a good team and that it's a good way to start getting ready for next weekend. "

Fred Russell, RB, Sr. On the performance of his offensive line: "Running behind those guys today, I didn't have to make anybody miss, they did a great job. It felt like every time I touched the ball I was guaranteed five yards without making any moves."

Miami Post-game Quotes

Head Coach Terry Hoeppner

Opening Statement:
"Our inability to overcome adversity...we did it at times, but we didn't do it enough. I feel for our kids and I feel for our coaches because I thought we were well prepared and I though the coaches had a good plan. The kids played their hearts out, but we just came up a little bit short today. The one thing we can do about [our loss today] is learn from it."

On the passing game:
"It was our plan going into the game today [to pass the ball]. We were going to come out winging it today and the players knew it. They knew we wanted the ball and to put our offense on the field first. It doesn't matter how you move the football. Some of our passes served as a run. We ultimately want to operate on our terms."

On defensive adjustments:
"Technically, we didn't really make that many. Mostly they were just attitude adjustments. Our defense rose to the occasion many times...but we just didn't overcome enough adversity today."

Quaterback, Ben Roethlisberger

On losing today's game:
"We didn't score enough points. There were times it seemed like they brought fifteen guys upfront. I give credit to the running backs and linemen for picking them up at times. Simply put, we just didn't score enough points to win today.

Linebacker Matt Robillard

On tackling:
"We needed to wrap up better. When you get a chance in the open field, you have to take advantage of it and take them down to the ground. A lot of it goes to the strength of their running game. They did exceptionally well and we knew it was going to be like that coming in to ztoday."