Nov. 12, 2003
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Miami vs. Marshall November 12, 2003 Oxford, Ohio
Miami Team Notes
- The contest was just the third night game in Yager Stadium history as well as the second nationally televised game in Yager Stadium history.
- With its victory, Miami ran its winning streak to nine games for the first time since 1977. In addition, Miami went undefeated at Yager Stadium (5-0) for the first time since 1998. The win also guarantees the RedHawks their first MAC East Division Title since divisional play began in 1997.
- Senior Matt Brandt's first quarter touchdown reception marked the tenth straight game in which Miami has scored first this season.
- For the second consecutive week, the RedHawk defense held its opponent to zero first-quarter points. Miami also shut Marshall out in the second half and held them to six points and 241 yards. The Thundering Herd's season averages were 32.8 and 473.6 respectively. The RedHawks forced five Marshall turnovers.
- After kicking off with temperatures over 60 degrees, the weather worsened over the course of the game, ending with a temperature near 40 degrees and wind gusts over 40 miles per hour.
- Miami eclipsed the 40-point mark for the seventh time this season.
- The attendance of 26,286 was a sellout for the second consecutive week and third sellout of the season.
Miami Individual Notes
-With his five catches for 43 yards and a one touchdown, junior Michael Larkin extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 33. In addition, the Miami receiver moved into fifth place on Miami's all-time reception list with 123. Larkin also jumped to third on Miami's all-time receiving yardage list. Also, Larkin moved into sole possession of second place on Miami's all-time career receiving touchdown list with 19.
-Junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 18 completions on 29 attempts and 282 yards and two touchdowns moved him into fifth on the all-time MAC career passing yardage list. Roethlisberger joined Marshall's Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich as the only three players in MAC history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season three times in their careers. The game marked the 29th time that Roethlisberger has thrown for more than 200 yards.
-With his 13 rushes for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns, junior Mike Smith scored for the ninth consecutive game, giving him 13 rushing touchdowns on this season. This ties Smith for seventh on Miami's single-season rushing touchdown list.
-Sophomore Martin Nance's two catches for 28 yards made him the second player in Miami history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
-Sophomore Terna Nande scored his first career touchdown with his 43-yard interception return in the second quarter. The interception was Nande's third of the season. Miami's defense has now scored three touchdowns this season.
-Senior Matt Brandt's five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown gave the tight end a single-game career-high for yardage.
- Senior Cal Murray's 108 rushing yards and a touchdown marked the fifth consecutive game in which the RedHawk back has reached the end zone. The yardage total tied a season-high for Murray.
- True Freshman Jared Gaines recorded his first career fumble recovery late in the third quarter.
- Sophomore John Glavin recorded his first career interception.
Marshall Notes
- The six points scored by Marshall is their lowest total of the year and their lowest total since being shut out at Toledo, 42-0, on 10/4/00.
- Darius Watts caught his 46th career TD pass. He is currently four behind Troy Edwards of Louisiana Tech, who has NCAA-best 50 TD receptions. Watts has also caught a touchdown pass in ten consecutive games.
- This is Marshall's first four-loss season since 2000 (7-5).
- Turnovers continue to plague Marshall. The Herd is now at -19 in turnover margin. Marshall has turned the ball over 31 times this season and has had three or more turnovers in eight games this year.
