Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami Accepts Invitation to GMAC Bowl
11/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 25, 2003
OXFORD, OH - Miami University has accepted an invitation to play in the GMAC Bowl, its first bowl appearance since the 1986 California Bowl. The RedHawks, who have the nation's second-longest winning streak at 10 games, will face an opponent from Conference-USA on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
"We are very excited for the well-deserved recognition for our students, and alumni and fans," said Director of Athletics Brad Bates. "The opportunity to showcase Miami University in the prestigious GMAC Bowl provides an extraordinary experience for our students, and we are looking forward to being a part of what has become one of college football's most exciting bowl games."
Miami currently is the nation's sixth-highest scoring offense, averaging 40.7 points per game and is seventh nationally in total offense, putting up 480.6 yards per game. One of college football's rising stars, Miami junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ranks seventh in the nation in passing yards (3,343), 10th in passing touchdowns (24) and 11th in quarterback rating (154.0).
"We are delighted to have Miami University coming to the GMAC Bowl and participating in our fifth game," said Murray Cape, Chairman of the Selection Committee. "This is a great school with great tradition, an excellent coach in Terry Hoeppner, and a great athletic department led by Brad Bates. Ben Roethlisberger is one of the country's premier quarterbacks, and I know everyone in Mobile, and in the entire nation, will be excited to watch him play. All that is left is to put together the rest of the equation. Hopefully we will have an opponent by the end of the week."
With a perfect 7-0 mark in the MAC to date, head coach Terry Hoeppner led the RedHawks to their first MAC East Division Championship since the league was split into divisions in 1997. For Hoeppner, this will be the second trip to a postseason bowl in his career as he was a first-year assistant coach at Miami in 1986, when the then-Redskins lost to San Jose State in the California Bowl, 37-7. Miami is 5-2 all-time in bowl games, including back-to-back-to-back wins in the Tangerine Bowl against Florida (1973), Georgia (1974) and South Carolina (1975).
"Our goal at the beginning of the year was to play 14 and now that is a reality," said head coach Terry Hoeppner. "We owe a lot of people thanks, starting with MAC Commissioner Rick Chryst and all of the hard work he has done making this bowl a possibility. We also owe thanks to our University administration led by Dr. Garland and our athletic administration led by Brad Bates, whose leadership, guidance and cooperation have made this a reality. On behalf of the entire program, we appreciate what everyone has done and look forward to making the entire Miami University family proud at the GMAC Bowl on Dec. 18."
Miami University Bowl HistoryYear Bowl Result1947 Sun Bowl Miami 13, Texas Tech 121950 Salad Bowl Miami 34, Arizona State 211962 Tangerine Bowl Houston 49, Miami 211973 Tangerine Bowl Miami 16, Florida 71974 Tangerine Bowl Miami 21, Georgia 101975 Tangerine Bowl Miami 20, South Carolina 71986 California Bowl San Jose State 37, Miami 7
