Roethlisberger Named Third-Team AP All-American
12/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2003
OXFORD, Ohio - Just three day before Miami University takes on the University of Louisville in the GMAC Bowl, junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay, OH/Findlay), who has already been named Mid-American Conference MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, earned another prestigious distinction being named a third-team all-American by the Associated Press.
Roethlisberger, a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, has put together his best season to date, completing 69.5 percent (321-of-462) of his passes for 4,110 yards and 33 touchdowns, all new school single-season records. He is just the third quarterback in MAC history to pass for 3,000 yards in three seasons and, last week, he broke the 10,000-yard plateau for his career, making him just the 30th player in NCAA history and just the fifth MAC quarterback to accomplish the feat. Under the direction of Roethlisberger, the Miami offense has become one of the most potent in school and MAC history, racking up a record 553 points (42.5 points per game ? fifth in NCAA) and over 6,000 yards of total offense.
This is first time since 1999 and just the eighth time ever a RedHawk has earned the honor from the Associated Press. Roethlisberger joins former Miami standouts ? Dick Adams (Second Team, 1970), Brad Cousino (Second Team, 1974), Brian Pillman (Second Team, 1983), Gary Gussman (Second Team, 1987), Curt McMillan (Third Team, 1992), JoJuan Armour (Third Team, 1998) and Travis Prentice (Third Team, 1999).