Oct. 25, 2003

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MIAMI REDHAWK FOOTBALL GAME NOTES

Miami (7-1, 4-0 MAC) 38, Kent State (3-6, 2-3 MAC) 30

October 25, 2003

Team Notes

- The RedHawks won their seventh consecutive game for the first time since 2001 and just the third time since 1978.

- Miami's 632 yards of total offense set a 54-year old program record, while its 409 yards passing ranked third in program history.

- Miami's defense allowed a season-high 417 yards of total offense but also forced three key turnovers.

- The game was delayed for one hour and 16 minutes midway through the first quarter due to lightning.

- With a Mike Smith rushing touchdown at 6:04 in the first quarter, Miami has scored first in its last nine games, including all eight games this season.

- After Ben Roethlisberger threw his first interception in 114 pass attempts on Miami's first possession, he led the RedHawks to scores on the final four possessions of the first half. The RedHawks' 375 yards of total offense in the first half were nine shy of the program record.

- A 13-yard touchdown run by Kent State's Josh Cribbs at 3:38 in the first quarter marked the first touchdown surrendered by Miami's defense in more than nine quarters of play.

- The RedHawks were flagged for a season-high 13 penalties, costing them 131 yards. Penalties also negated two RedHawk touchdowns.

- After a Kent State touchdown at 10:14 in the fourth quarter, Miami trailed 27-24-the first time it had trailed since its season-opening loss at Iowa (27 quarters).

- After being blanked in the third quarter for just the second time this season, Miami's offense assembled two key fourth-quarter scoring drives to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit for the first time since a 2001 defeat of Akron.

Individual Notes

- Roethlisberger, who finished the day at 28-of-44 for 409 yards and three touchdowns, continued his ascent up the Mid-American Conference career passing charts, moving into fourth all-time in passing touchdowns and sixth in passing yardage. He also broke his own Miami record with his fifth 300-yard passing game of the season.

- Sophomore wide receiver Martin Nance continued to climb Miami's single-season receiving yardage charts, moving into fourth place all-time at Miami with his fourth 100-yard receiving effort this season. He totaled a career-high 181 yards and three touchdowns and has 805 yards receiving this season. His 181 yards are tied for the third-highest single-game receiving total in Miami history.

- With a 14-yard TD scamper in the first quarter, junior running back Mike Smith tallied a rushing touchdown for the sixth straight game and increased his MAC-leading total to 10 rushing TDs. He finished with 105 yards rushing-his second career 100-yard game-while his counterpart Cal Murray totaled 92 yards and a touchdown.

- Senior defensive end Will Stanley forced a redzone fumble on Kent State's opening possession, negating a turnover by the RedHawks on their first possession.

- Junior safety Matt Pusateri picked off his first career pass off a deflection late in the third quarter to help protect a 24-20 Miami advantage. It marked the seventh straight game in which Miami picked off a pass.

- For the second time this season, sophomore linebacker John Busing made a key second-half interception that halted an opponent's potential go-ahead drive. He leads Miami with four interceptions this season.