Josh Betts Chat Wrap
12/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 27, 2004
Welcome to the CollegeSports.com moderated chat room! On Monday, December 27, Miami junior quarterback Josh Betts stopped by to chat about the RedHawks' 2004 season and their upcoming meeting with Big 12 North Co-Champion Iowa State in the Independence Bowl on December 28 in Shreveport, La.
The Red and White, which is making consecutive bowl appearances for the first time since the program won three straight Tangerine Bowls from 1973-75, has forged an 8-4 record on the way to a second straight MAC East Division title and second consecutive MAC Championship game berth.
While a great deal was made early on of Betts having big shoes to fill, the junior has quietly gone about making his own name. One of the nation's top 12 offensive weapons, Betts is placing his name among the best Miami passers of all-time. Betts' 3,255 yards passing this season are second only to Ben Roethlisberger's junior-year total and joins Betts and Roethlisberger as the only two Miami quarterbacks to pass for 3,000 yards in a season. The junior, who ranks fourth on Miami's single-season charts with 22 TD passes, also is within range of the MAC's single-season top 10 for passing yardage. Betts 3,611 career yards passing already rank seventh on Miami's career charts.
Betts, the son of Herb and Susie Betts, was born August 25, 1982. His brother Hank plays football at Denison University. Betts is majoring in finance.
Matt (Indianapolis): Who is your favorite Finance professor at Miami?
Josh One of my favorites is Mark Cross.
Tyler, Cincinnati: Josh, im a big Miami fan and everyone says you had big shoes to fill but you have filled them nicely. Will the injuries to Micheal Larkin hurt the team any and how do you feel playing a BCS team?
Josh If Mike can play, it would be tremendous. He is the heart and soul of the team. If he can't others will step up. We can't wait to play Iowa State. It's going to be great.
Dan Callen Chattanooga, Tn.: How do you think the team will react in the Independence Bowl to the coaching change? Best of luck and go RedHawks!
Josh We are treating this as our last chance together for the juniors and seniors.
John F. (Akron): What did you learn from Big Ben watching him play?
Josh The consistency with how he does things and the poise he has in the pocket. He never gets flustered.
Steven: The MAC is sure producing some bigtime QB's - what makes the league turn them out so well?
Josh The level of competition. The level of players who are attracted to the top schools in the MAC. We are getting more top level recruits and the quarterbacks are benefitting from that.
Joe (Athens): What would the score be if you guys had played your brother's school (Division III Denison)?
Josh Not too close. But I'd have to watch out for my brother - he'd give me a shot if he could!
Dallas: Josh, Considering Miami's success this season and last season, do you believe this can carry over into next year despite the loss of coach Hoeppner to Indiana? Will Miami be able to return to the MAC Championship, a bowl game and possibly upset Ohio State in 2005? Tom Maxwell Miami - 1998
Josh Those are all aspirations for our team. Next year's senior class has about 20 or 25 guys in it and a lot of players have played in two MAC championship games. It's an experienced goup of guys.
Jason (Oxford, Ohio): Does it bother you when everybody thinks you play in Florida? Miami is in Ohio dammit!
Josh We've learned to deal with that. The best thing we've done is get exposure. The school is Miami University - maybe we should call it THE Miami University!
Mike (Elmhurst, IL): With Martin Nance already out and Mike Larkin somewhat doubtful, do you expect players like Josh Williams and Ryan Busing to step-up and make a big contribution against a strong ISU defense?
Josh I think so. We have a very talented group of receivers. They have been consistent all year. Regardless of who is out there, I have full confidence that they can do the job.
Allen Maple Hill NC: Would you like to see Miami play a more national OOC schedule? The Redhawks have played North Carolina several times in the past. I'd like to see the two schools play semi-annually. Its been a close, competitive series. And I think Miami would be an excellent opponent for any team from a major conference.
Josh I think out of conference is big for us and can be very beneficial for us. We play some rivalry games with U of C and a Big Ten team every year.
Mike (Oxford): Josh, how have teams been able to contain Ryne Robinson after his hot start?
Josh Teams started to concentrate more in practice on punt coverage. They are forced now to concentrate more on stopping him. He can change the momentum of the game with one play.
Charlie Berg (Fairfield, OH): In what ways do you feel that playing behind and practicing with Ben Roethlisberger last year contributed to your great success this year?
Josh You get to see the level of where he was and learn what it takes to be consistent like he is.
Josh Everyone, unfortunately that is all the time I have today. We had a flight delay that has changed our schedule. Thank you for the great questions!
