Sept. 27, 2003
Recap?|? Final Stats?|? Photo Gallery
Miami vs. Cincinnati Game Notes Sept. 27
Miami Team Notes -For the first time this season, Miami failed to score on its opening drive. The drive ended with junior Ben Roethlisberger's first interception in his last 81 attempts.
-Miami scored for its ninth consecutive quarter on Mike Smith's seven-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
-Miami converted fumble recoveries by sophomore Terna Nande, junior Will Rueff and junior Larry Burt into three RedHawk touchdowns.
-The RedHawks held the Bearcats to zero first-downs in the first quarter, which included two four-play drives following Miami turnovers. Miami held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the second time this season.
-Miami's quick-strike offense had scoring drives of 28, 32, 90 and 98 seconds.
- Miami's 28 first-half points were the most points the RedHawks have scored in one half this season.
-Miami's first punt did not come until the 5:50 mark in the second quarter.
- The 17 points Miami allowed in the first half were the most points Miami has allowed in one half all season. Also, the 37 overall points allowed were the most the RedHawks have surrendered during their 2003 campaign.
-The sell-out crowd of 27,512 marked the eighth largest crowd in Yager Stadium history as well as the first sell-out since Oct. 2, 1999 when the RedHawks hosted Marshall.
-The 82 first-half rushing yards were the most Miami has surrendered this season, while the 66 first-half rushing yards were the highest rushing total the RedHawks have gained in a half this season.
-Miami forced a season high five turnovers, including a game-sealing fumble recovery by senior Ryan Sprague.
-The RedHawk's four rushing touchdowns were the most since Oct. 19, 2002, when Miami scored four rushing touchdowns against Buffalo.
-Miami went over 40 points for the third consecutive game. The last time the RedHawks performed this feat was 1954, when they scored more than 40 points in four straight games.
-Miami won the Victory Bell for the third straight year. Miami vs. Cincinnati Game notes (cont.)
Individual Notes - Sophomore Darrell Hunter's 38-yard kickoff return to open the game was the longest kick-return of the year for Miami, and longest of Hunter's career.
- Junior Michael Larkin's 26-yard catch in the first quarter extended his streak for consecutive games with a reception to 28.
-For the second week in a row, sophomore Terna Nande has been the beneficiary of an opponent's turnover. Last week, Nande intercepted a pass against Colorado State. In the first quarter against Cincinnati, Nande recovered a fumble.
- Junior Mike Smith's two touchdown runs gave him five touchdowns in his last two games, and marked the sixth time in the last eight games that Smith has found the end zone.
- Senior Matt Brandt had career highs for receptions, yardage, and touchdowns with his eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
-With his 31 of 49 for 377 yards and two touchdown performance, Roethlisberger threw for 300 yards or more for the third consecutive game, which was the first time in his three-year career. In addition, the Miami quarterback moved into sixth place on the MAC's all-time passing touchdown list.
-With his 115 yards receiving, sophomore Martin Nance eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive week, as well as the second time in his career.
Cincinnati Notes
-Gino Guidugli's interception in the third quarter was his first of the season after 134 pass attempts.
-The interceptions by Zach Norton and Doug Monaghan were the sixth and fifth of their respective careers.
-Richard Hall's 161 rushing yards gave him his first 100-yard rushing game of his career.
