Miami Set for Visit to the Big House
8/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 30, 2004
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Storylines
1. BACK TO THE BIG HOUSE: For the fourth time in program history and second time in the past four years, Miami makes the trek to Ann Arbor, Mich., to take on nationally-ranked Michigan in the nation's largest collegiate stadium.
2. TAKING ON THE TOP TEN: In a long and illustrious history, Miami's football program has earned two victories all-time versus opponents ranked in the Top 10 nationally, defeating No. 9 Purdue, 10-7, in 1962 and No. 8 LSU, 21-12, in 1986. Michigan is ranked No. 7 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll at No. 8 by the Associated Press.
3. 14 AND COUNTING: One would have to look back more than a year to find the last time Miami hung its head in defeat. Since a 21-3 loss at Iowa on Aug. 30 last season, Miami has won its last 14 games and owns the longest active winning streak in NCAA Division I-A. The streak also is the longest in program history.
4. PLACE YOUR BETTS: After an impressive debut versus Indiana State, in which he passed for 214 yards and three TDs, junior quarterback Josh Betts travels to Michigan, where his predecessor Ben Roethlisberger made his collegiate debut in 2001.
5. DEFENSE WINS: Fresh off its first shutout since 2002, Miami's defense proved it hasn't missed a beat under first-year co-defensive coordinators Brian George and Joe Palcic. The Red and White held Indiana State to 204 yards in the season opener.
GENERAL NOTES
TELEVISION COVERAGE: Miami is slated to appear on television six times this season, including three national television appearances, starting at Michigan (Sept. 4 on ABC), then at Marshall (Sept. 29 on ESPN2) and vs. Toledo (Nov. 2 on ESPN2). Calling the game this week on ABC are Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Tim Brant (color), Terry Bowden (color) and Sam Ryan (sideline). This marks the RedHawks' first appearance on ABC. The RedHawks opened the season last week on television vs. Indiana State as the Miami Sports Network produced the game in conjunction with WB64 (WSTR, Cincinnati) and ESPN Plus. The second game of MSN's package airs on Oct. 23 when Miami hosts UCF at 7 p.m in a Homecoming clash.
THE ROADHAWKS: Miami owned the nation's best road record last season at 7-1, breaking the school record last equaled by the 1998 squad. The seven road wins (excluding neutral site contests) were the most by any Terry Hoeppner-led squad, surpassing his 5-2 mark set in 2002. The RedHawks made history in the MAC Championship game at Bowling Green, Ohio, becoming the first team in college football history to win its conference championship game on the road, beating Bowling Green, 49-27.
THE LAST MEETING VS. MICHIGAN:Three turnovers and a couple of costly penalties went a long way to spoil the debut of then-freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as Michigan posted a 31-13 victory over Miami. After staying within striking distance until halftime at 17-6 on Roethlisberger's first TD career pass to Eddie Tillitz, the RedHawks could not capitalize on great defensive play in the third quarter. Miami held Michigan to just 36 yards in the quarter and forced the Maize and Blue's only turnover of the game. In the fourth quarter, the Wolverines were able to put the game out of reach with touchdown runs by Calvin Bell and Walter Cross. Roethlisberger connected with Chauncey Henry for Henry's first career touchdown reception just before the end of the game to make the final score 31-13. The loss snapped the RedHawks' string of five straight opening day victories.
"CRADLE OF COACHES" CONNECTIONS:" There are some notable coaching connections between Miami and Michigan. Bo Schembechler played at Miami in 1949 and 1950 and served as head coach of the Red and White from 1963-68. He compiled a 40-17-3 (.692) record in six years at Miami, leading the Redskins to MAC Championships in 1965 and 1966, second-place finishes in 1963, 1964 and 1968 and a third-place finish in 1967. He left Miami to take over the Michigan program in 1969. Over the next 20 seasons, he directed the Wolverines to a 194-47-5 mark, 13 Big Ten championships and 16 bowl appearances. Schembechler was inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame in 1972.
A 1981 graduate of the University of Michigan, current Miami Director of Athletics Brad Bates was walk-on defensive back for the Wolverines from 1977-81. Bates played for Schembechler and in his four years as a player, the Wolverines won three Big Ten titles, posted a 37-11-0 record and played in three Rose Bowls and a Gator Bowl.
George Little was head coach at Miami in 1916 and from 1919-21, compiling a 27-3-2 (.875) mark. He later served as head coach at Michigan for one season.
Gary Moeller, who served as head coach at Michigan from 1990-94, was an assistant coach at Miami from 1967-68.
ON A ROLL: After dropping a heartbreaking season opener at Iowa on Aug. 30 of last season, Miami was unstoppable the rest of the way, winning 13 straight--the longest active winning streak in the nation--a number that grew to 14 with last week's 49-0 win over Indiana State. The 14 wins break the previous school record for consecutive wins, previously established from 1972 to 1974. Miami's longest unbeaten streak extended 24 games from the final game of 1972 to the second game of 1975
IN THE POLLS: After an impressive 49-28 defeat of Louisville in the 2003 GMAC Bowl, Miami University's football team rose to No. 10 in the final Associated Press poll and No. 12 in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll. Miami's No. 10 final ranking in the AP poll was its highest since the 1974 team finished 10th and matched the Red and White's highest finish ever. Miami broke into the top 25 on Nov. 9 after defeating nationally-ranked Bowling Green on national television. The RedHawks stand 31-3 all time when carrying a national ranking. For a complete rundown of the current Top 25 this season see Page 3 of the notes.
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS: Over the last decade Miami has posted a 5-7 record versus nationally ranked teams. The highest ranked club the RedHawks faced during the stretch was No. 8 Michigan, which defeated Miami 38-10 in Ann Arbor in 1995. The following is a complete list of ranked opponents and results.
Opponent (Rank) Date Result
Bowling Green (#20) Dec. 4, 2003 W, 33-10
Bowling Green (#15) Nov. 4, 2003 W, 49-27
LSU (#25) Sept. 14, 2002 L, 33-7
Michigan (#12) Sept. 1, 2001 L, 31-13
Ohio State (#15) Sept.16, 2000 L, 27-16
Marshall (#17) Oct. 2, 1999 L, 32-14
North Carolina (#12) Sept. 5, 1998 W, 13-10
Toledo (#22) Nov. 1, 1997 L, 35-28
Virginia Tech (#12) Oct. 4, 1997 W, 24-17
Michigan (#8) Sept. 30, 1995 L. 38-19
Northwestern (#25) Sept. 16, 1995 W, 30-28
Indiana (#21) Sept. 10, 1994 L, 35-14
MIAMI VS. BIG TEN: Miami is 13-34-2 all-time versus the Big Ten Conference. The RedHawks are 0-2 vs. Illinois, 3-10-1 vs. Indiana, 0-3 vs. Michigan, 1-3 vs. Michigan State, 0-1 vs. Minnesota, 5-1 vs. Northwestern, 0-3 vs. Ohio State, 3-8-1 vs. Purdue and 0-3 vs. Iowa. The RedHawks' last win against a Big Ten squad came in 2003 when they knocked off Northwestern, 44-14, in Evanston. It was the second time Head Coach Terry Hoeppner knocked off the Wildcats. The first time came in his head coaching debut in 1999, beating Northwestern and his former boss Randy Walker, 28-3. The RedHawks have played every Big Ten school except Penn State, which joined the league in 1990, and Wisconsin, a charter member. Miami has at least one Big Ten school on its schedule in each of the next five seasons (2005 - Ohio State; 2006 - Northwestern and Purdue; 2007 - Minnesota; 2008 - Michigan; 2009 - Northwestern and Minnesota).
THE FEW, THE PROUD: Of 112 NCAA Division I-A football programs, Miami finished 2003 as one of only four programs in the nation to complete its season with only one loss. Joining the Red and White were national co-champions LSU and USC and Boise State. Miami, which won its last 13 games after stumbling in the season opener, owned the nation's longest winning streak in 2003.
FINISHING: Since 1999, when Terry Hoeppner took over at Miami, one thing the RedHawks have not done often is blow fourth-quarter leads, posting a 38-3 record when leading at the start of the final quarter. The RedHawks were a perfect 13-0 last season when leading after three quarters.
LIFE BEGINS AT 40: With his 49-28 win versus Louisville in the GMAC Bowl last December, head coach Terry Hoeppner became the sixth coach in Miami history to record 40 wins. Last week's win over Indiana State moved Hoeppner out of a sixth-place tie with Michigan coaching legend Bo Schembechler.
A DECADE OF EXCELLENCE: With its 38-30 win at Kent State last season, Miami ensured itself of its 10th straight winning season. The RedHawks are 78-35-2 (.684) during this current string. The school record for consecutive winning seasons is 17 (1943-1959), while the record for consecutive non-losing seasons is 33 (1943-1975).
ONE OF THE TRULY ELITE: In the history and lore of college football, Miami University stands as one of the sport's most storied programs, and versus Colorado State on Sept. 20 of last year it made another legendary step when it took the field for the 1,000th time. Now in its 116th season of play, Miami ranks among the elite in college football as one of just 25 schools with 600 or more wins (625) while holding one of the top 15 winning percentages (.639) in college football.
THE OFFENSE
SCOUTING REPORT: Armed with six returning starters and a cast of five relatively experienced newcomers to the starting lineup, Miami's offense enters Saturday's date at Michigan with the momentum of an impressive season-opening performance versus Indiana State. The RedHawks scored on their first six possessions on the way to compiling 454 yards of total offense. Junior quarterback Josh Betts passed for three TDs and ran for another in his first collegiate start, while fifth-year senior running back Luke Clemens led the rushing attack and accounted for two TDs of his own. Last season, Miami tied for first nationally in scoring offense (43.0 ppg), ranked second in total offense (501.4 ypg) and placed fourth in passing offense (340.9 ypg).
WHO'S GONE: Clearly the biggest loss from the 2003 offense was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who declared for the NFL Draft following Miami's 49-28 defeat of Louisville in the GMAC Bowl. A first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Roethlisberger owns almost every Miami passing record and ranked fourth nationally last season in total offense, while passing for Miami records of 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns. Also departed is 2003 leading rusher Cal Murray, who signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers during the offseason after notching his first career 1,000-yard rushing campaign. Arguably the biggest hit to the offense came to the offensive line, where the RedHawks lost four starters to graduation, including second-team all-MAC tackle Ben Herrell (signed with Carolina Panthers), first-team all-MAC guard Jacob Bell (fifth-round draft pick of Tennessee Titans), two-year starting guard Frank Smith (now a GA with the program) and second-team all-MAC tight end Matt Brandt (Detroit Lions).
WHO'S BACK: When looking at Miami's returning starters, one must begin with a wide receiving corps that returns all three starters from 2003. Senior Michael Larkin, Miami's career leader for receptions and receiving touchdowns, joins junior Martin Nance, who shattered the program's single-season records with 90 catches for 1,498 yards in 2003, out wide. Sophomore R.J. Corbin returns to the interior wide receiver position after hauling in 35 passes in 2003. On the offensive line, the RedHawks return second-team all-MAC center Todd Londot along with juniors Mark Kracium and Nate Bunce, who combined to start 15 games in 2003, filling at left tackle and right guard, respectively. At running back, Miami lost its 2003 starter but returns 2002 starter Luke Clemens, who missed most of last season with an injury, and senior Mike Smith, who split carries last season and ranked 10th nationally with 17 rushing touchdowns.
WHO'S NEW: The most evident newcomer to the starting lineup is at quarterback, where Josh Betts makes his starting debut after seeing mop up duty in nine games in 2003. Betts, a Vandalia, Ohio, native served as Roethlisberger's back up in 2002 and 2003. At tight end, seasoned junior Dan Tyler makes his debut as Miami's No. 1 tight end after making 15 grabs and tallying his first career touchdown in extensive playing time during the 2003 season. Starting at left guard is senior Dave Rehker, who saw time as a starter in 2002. Redshirt freshman Charlie Norden, a physically gifted athlete who weighs in at 309 lbs., rounds out the offensive line by taking over at right tackle.
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS: Along with the starting lineup, a number of other players are expected to make an impact on the offense in 2004. At wide receiver, unquestionably the RedHawks' deepest position, the RedHawks return four additional players with extensive experience, including senior Korey Kirkpatrick, a sixth-year player who missed most of last season with an injury, junior Josh Williams, who saw increased playing time toward the end of the 2003 campaign, and sophomores Ryan Busing and Ryne Robinson, who made 28 receptions apiece a year ago. Up front, junior Chris Fessel, who saw action in eight games in 2003, is expected to see action on the offensive line, and junior Tyler Vogel will contribute at tight end. Redshirt freshman Brandon Murphy is expected to see time as a change-of-pace at running back after the explosive back rushed for 108 yards in the fall Red-White Scrimmage.
COMING OUT FIRING: Junior quarterback Josh Betts wasted little time settling in during his debut as the RedHawks' starting quarterback last Saturday. Betts guided five straight scoring drives to open his career as Miami's starting quarterback, and finished the night completing 17-of-27 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns in what was statistically one of the most impressive starting debuts by a quarterback in program history. Betts, who made good use of the weapons around him, completed passes to seven different receivers despite playing until only the midway point of the third quarter. Redshirt freshman Mike Kokal finished the game, completing 7-of-10 passes for 78 yards and an interception in his collegiate debut.
BRINGING THE HEAT: While everyone knew Josh Betts possessed a strong arm entering Saturday's season opener, even his receivers may not have known how strong it was. Senior Michael Larkin commented after the game, "He threw a lot harder tonight than he does in practice. He took me by surprise a couple of times when he hit me in the chest." While he showed some steam on a number of passes, Betts also demonstrated his touch on a 30-yard touchdown pass to a diving Larkin in the corner of the endzone.
MAKING HIS OWN NAME: A second cousin to the Larkin family that includes Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, senior Michael Larkin has been making his own name on the football field. Larkin, who will earn his Miami degree in just three and a half years, took the field in just the second game of his true freshman season and promptly hauled in three receptions for 121 yards versus Iowa. Since that time, Larkin has hauled in at least one pass in 38 consecutive games--eight short of the MAC record--on the way to becoming Miami's all-time leader in receptions (147) and receiving touchdowns (26). He currently is stalking current Detroit Lion Trevor Gaylor for the RedHawks' receiving yardage record, needing 145 yards to surpass Gaylor's record total of 2,131 yards. He's only one touchdown shy of tying Hall of Famer John Pont for seventh on Miami's career touchdown list.
THE NANCE FACTOR: If there was any player on the Miami roster that could truly claim a breakout season in 2003, it was Martin Nance, who emerged not only on a team and conference level but also on a national level. Beginning with the second game of the 2003 campaign, Nance went on a torrid run that included a RedHawk record seven 100-yard receiving days. Nance's sophomore year totals of 90 receptions for 1,498 yards shattered Miami's single-season records and his 107.0 receiving yards per game ranked fourth nationally. The Offensive MVP of the 2003 GMAC Bowl, Nance hauled in nine catches for 169 yards and a TD in his last contest. Armed with a 6-foot-5 frame and sub 4.4 time in the 40-yard dash, Nance's 1,498 yards ranks only behind California's Geoff McArthur among returning wide receivers in 2004. He was a favorite of Betts in the opener, hauling in a team-high six receptions for 75 yards.
THE CLEMENS COMEBACK TOUR: A 1,000-yard rusher during his 2002 campaign, senior Luke Clemens suffered a season-ending injury during the second game of 2003 and was left with the decision of whether to apply for a medical redshirt and return for a fifth year or call it career. Fortunately for the Red and White, Clemens, a former walk-on, has worked his way back and made an impressive return last Saturday. On his first three touches, Clemens reeled off carries of 21 and seven yards and turned a swing pass into a 16-yard touchdown. He later added a rushing touchdown and finished the night with 69 yards on nine carries. The senior made his collegiate debut at running back in 2001 at Michigan, rumbling for 63 yards on 14 carries.
NOSE FOR THE ENDZONE: Senior Mike Smith, who saw nearly half of Miami's carries at running back last season, returns after rushing for 802 yards last season. Perhaps more impressive, though, were the whopping 17 rushing touchdowns he tallied, ranking himself 10th nationally in rushing TDs in 2003. The senior has found the endzone in 13 of the last 14 games in which he has played and scored on a two-yard plunge in Saturday's season opener.
AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL: The veteran of the offensive line is third-year starter Todd Londot, who has emerged as one of the nation's top centers. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 300 lbs., the amazingly agile lineman has a 30-inch vertical leap and has been rumored to throw down a 360-dunk. Last season, Londot, who has been named to the 2004 watch lists for both the Rimington and Outland Trophies, made only one bad exchange at center despite the fact that nearly 70 percent of Miami's plays were run from the shotgun.
BUILDING FROM SCRATCH: While many schools prefer to recruit 300-pound offensive linemen, Miami has taken a different approach. With the guidance of RedHawk strength & conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple, the Red and White has focused its recruiting efforts on recruiting athletic linemen and tight ends with big frames. The weight then comes from the individuals' extensive work in Dalrymple's program. The average weight of Miami's current starting offensive line when it signed with the program was a meager 257 lbs., with only Dave Rehker weighing in at more than 265 pounds. Today the RedHawk line averages a lofty 299 lbs. per man--an average gain of 42 lbs. per player--but still possesses the mobility to handle a variety of roles within the offense.
THE DEFENSE
SCOUTING REPORT: Last year, the Miami offense garnered most of the national attention, but it was the defense that proved to be the difference-maker for the RedHawks. After giving up 412 yards of offense and 27 points per game in 2003, Miami simplified its defense last year, allowing the group to simply make plays. And make plays they did. Last season, the Miami defense gave up almost 100 fewer yards a game compared to the previous year and finished first in the MAC in scoring defense (19.4 points per game) and second in total defense (341.1 yards per game). Last week, the defense stifled Indiana State, giving up just 204 yards of total offense and registering the team's first shutout since Buffalo in 2002.
TAKING THE REINS: Taking over the reins of the Miami defense this season are co-defensive coordinators Joe Palcic and Brian George. The pair shares coordinator duties with Palcic focusing on the defensive secondary and George overseeing the defensive line. In 2003, the duo helped re-energize a Miami defense that ended the year 26th in the country, allowing 329.5 yards per game. Their shutout last week versus Indiana State was the program's first since 2002 and the first opening game shutout since 1975 (Marshall, 50-0).
DOMINATING "D": Miami's defense became the talk of the MAC in 2003. Over the final three months, the RedHawks reduced their yards allowed from 360.3 yards per game to 341.1 ypg. Much of that improvement can be credited to Miami making opposing offenses one-dimensional by taking away the run. The RedHawks' run defense was tops in the MAC and among the top 20 in the nation, holding opponents to 111.6 yards a game and to less than 70 yards in six of the last 13 games (Northwestern - 41, Colorado State - 39, Akron - 47, Ball State - 29, Kent State - 68, UCF - 22). Last week versus Indiana State, the same type of swarming run defense returned, holding the Sycamores to just 44 yards on 37 carries (1.4 yards per carry).
VANISHING OUT OF THIN AIR: The Miami defense performed its own magic last season versus opposing quarterbacks last season, appearing out of thin air to pick off a total of 21 passes. After intercepting just three passes in the first four games of 2003, Miami nabbed 18 in the final 10 games. Sophomore linebacker John Busing led the team and was first nationally among linebackers with five picks, including two he returned for touchdowns versus Ball State and UCF. As a unit, the defense returned five picks for touchdowns last season, equaling the most since 1998 when the defense was under the control of then-defensive coordinator Terry Hoeppner.
WHO'S GONE: Much like losing your quarterback on the offensive side, the RedHawks lost their defensive quarterback, middle linebacker Terrell Jones, and two key pressure guys, defensive ends Phil Smith and Will Stanley. Jones, a 2004 all-MAC selection, was considered by Head Coach Terry Hoeppner to be the smartest football player he had ever coached, calling plays and making defensive adjustments on the fly. Smith and Stanley were the RedHawks' 1-2 punch when it came to putting pressure on the quarterback from their defensive end positions. The pair accounted for 50 percent of the RedHawks' sacks (18 of 36) and forced another 20 quarterback hurries.
THE HEART OF IT ALL: As has often been the case in Miami's illustrious football history, the heart of the defense is a linebacking corps that is anchored by a trio of explosive juniors. Outside linebackers John Busing and Terna Nande, both starters in 2003, are coming off remarkable true sophomore seasons in which their big plays often set the tone for the entire team. Nande, a second team all-MAC selection in 2003, ranked fifth in the MAC with 20 tackles for loss while totaling 109 tackles and also nabbing four interceptions. Busing, who was equally impressive, led all linebackers nationally with five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, and made 101 tackles. The lone newcomer in the linebacking corps really isn't a newcomer at all, as junior middle linebacker Derek Rehage saw extensive playing time in 2003. Named the MAC East Defensive Player of the Week after Miami's defeat of Buffalo, Rehage started two games last season and finished the year with 58 tackles, three quarterback sacks and an interception.
A FINE LINE: On the defensive line, Miami must replace graduated defensive ends Phil Smith and Will Stanley, who posted 18 of the RedHawks' 36 sacks, but it returns a talented trio of defensive tackles that started all of its games in 2003. Last season, the trio of Larry Burt, John Glavin and Will Rueff were almost interchangeable for the RedHawks, combining for 130 tackles and 19 tackles for loss while spearheading a run defense that was the stingiest in the MAC. Glavin led the way during a breakout season, totaling 55 tackles, 11 stops for loss and eight quarterback hurries.
THE MEANS TO AN END: While the defensive tackle position possesses great experience and depth, the RedHawks are relying on a young group of defensive ends to rise to the occasion in 2004. Juniors Jarrod Rich and Marcus Johnson break from camp as starters. Rich--a big, powerful end--saw action in all 14 games last year and made 24 tackles as a special teams contributor and reserve on the defensive line, while Johnson played at both ends. Sophomore Tranaine Sills provides the RedHawks with even more skill at the position, using his quick first step to apply pressure on the quarterback. Sills played as a true freshman last season and recorded six quarterback sacks. Supplying depth are junior redshirt freshmen Craig Mester, who impressed with his quickness in the spring, and Jerome Bennett, a converted linebacker.
BACKIN' IT ALL UP: Arguably Miami's most improved area in 2003 was its pass defense, where it returns all four starters at corner back and safety. Anchoring the corners for the Red and White are the speedy duo of senior Alphonso Hodge and junior Darrell Hunter, who both were clocked at under 4.4 in the 40-yard dash during the offseason. Hodge emerged as a shutdown corner in 2003, breaking up nine passes and totaling 47 tackles while typically covering the opposing team's top receiver. Hunter made great strides during his true sophomore campaign, picking off four passes, breaking up 10 more and notching 43 tackles. Returning for his fourth season as Miami's starting strong safety, senior Matt Pusateri is coming off a career-high 141 tackles in 2003 and is on the verge of becoming one of Miami's Top 10 all-time tacklers. The Defensive MVP of the 2003 GMAC Bowl, Pusateri is backed up by sophomore Joey Card, who earned his first letter last season and emerged during the offseason. Junior Steve Burke returns as Miami's starting free safety after totaling 100 tackles and 10 pass deflections in 2003. He'll battle with truesophomore Jerrid Gaines, who impressed with his speed during the spring and is expected to see extensive playing time.
THE NEW NIGERIAN NIGHTMARE: And a nightmare is exactly what Terna Nande has become for opposing teams. Last season, the junior earned second-team all-MAC honors and was twice named MAC Defensive Player of the Week after consecutive wins over Bowling Green and Marshall. In the two games, Nande totaled 18 tackles and five tackles for loss, returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble. While Terna means "God's Gift" in his native language, Nande gets his other nickname from head coach Terry Hoeppner because of his ability to make punishing hits. Coach Hoeppner has been quoted as saying, "Once he hits you, you keep having nightmares about it." Nande was the RedHawks' third-leading tackler last year with 109 stops, including 20 tackles for loss, which ranked among the MAC leaders. He led all RedHawks in tackles during Week One's 49-0 shutout of Indiana State with eight.
BETTER TO DODGE HODGE: As last season progressed, senior corner Alphonso Hodge came into his own, becoming a shutdown corner for Miami. Versus Akron, Miami changed its defense to take away Akron's sprint-out pass, leaving Hodge alone with the Zips' Matt Cherry one-on-one. Cherry, who had torched the RedHawks the year before with 154 yards, was shut down, pulling in just three catches for 42 yards. Against Marshall, Hodge spearheaded a Miami secondary that gave up just 113 yards, shutting down the MAC's all-time leading receiver and second round NFL draft choice Darius Watts and holding him to one catch for five yards. Hodge was 10th on the team in tackles with 47 and broke up nine passes last year. Last week, Hodge made three tackles versus Indiana State and added his fourth career sack.
RACKING UP THE TACKLES: Senior safety Matt Pusateri has become a stalwart in the Miami secondary. Since making 18 tackles in his collegiate debut at Michigan in 2001, Pusateri has been racking up tackles and is the only RedHawk to post 100+ tackles in each of the last three seasons (122 in 2001, 125 in 2002 and 141 in 2003). A 2001 third-team Sporting News freshman all-American, Pusateri needs just 10 more tackles to crack Miami's career Top 10 list.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
SCOUTING REPORT: With all of its key elements returning, Miami's special team unit looks to be very strong again in 2004. All of the RedHawks' legs remain intact, with senior Jared Parseghian handling short and mid-range field goals, junior Todd Soderquist handling kickoffs and long-range field goals and senior Mike Wafzig handling the punting responsibilities. In the return game, sophomore Ryne Robinson returns after emerging as one of the most exciting players in the nation in 2003, and has expanded his role to include both punt and kickoff returns. Speedster Darrell Hunter joins Robinson to complete a dangerous kickoff return duo. Miami does face the challenge of replacing long-time long snapper Scott Sagehorn and holder J.D. Vonderheide.
THE AMAZING MR. ROBINSON: After a remarkable true freshman campaign in which he ranked second nationally behind LSU's Skyler Green in punt return average (17.2 ypr), sophomore Ryne Robinson is out to prove that is 2003 numbers were no fluke. In Saturday's season opener, Robinson nearly enjoyed a night for the ages. After breaking the Miami career record with his fourth punt return for a touchdown--a 70-yarder--early in the second quarter, Robinson ran back two other punts, including an 89-yarder, that were negated by penalties. Last season, Robinson racked up Miami and MAC records of 654 punt return yards, including three punt returns for touchdowns. He is just 232 yards shy of surpassing the MAC's record for career punt return yardage.
THE TWO HEADED KICKER: With two strong kickers on his roster, head coach Terry Hoeppner decided to spread the wealth in Saturday's opener, allowing senior Jared Parseghian and junior Todd Soderquist to alternate on the PATs. The duo combined to go 7-for-7.
MORE THAN A NAME: The great grand nephew of college football luminary and Miami alumnus Ara Parseghian, senior place kicker Jared Parseghian has done an impressive job of placing his own name throughout the Miami and Mid-American Conference record books. From the end of his freshman campaign to the first contest of his junior season, Parseghian converted 21-of-21 field goal attempts to break both the Miami and MAC records for consecutive field goal conversions. Miami's all-time leader in PAT attempts (138) and conversions (133), Parseghian has converted a RedHawk-best .788 percent of his career field goal attempts and is easily on pace to finish his career among Miami's all-time top three for field goal conversions.
BIG LEG TODD: The leg behind all of Miami's kickoffs over the last three seasons has been that of junior Todd Soderquist, who claimed the job when he arrived on campus as a true freshman. Last season, Soderquist was an integral part of a Miami kickoff coverage unit that allowed only 17.5 yards per return and ranked among the MAC leaders. Last season, Soderquist also proved to be a solid place kicker, converting 4-of-6 field goals and 19-of-20 PATs during spot action. In last season's defeat of Marshall, Soderquist's leg was called upon to overcome winds that were gusting at nearly 50 MPH. He converted a 21-yard field goal and a pair of PATs despite the conditions.
IT'S ALL HIS NOW: Though the rumors were circulating that he may not letter during the 2003 campaign, senior punter Mike Wafzig most certainly did. Though only six teams nationally punted fewer times than Miami's 46 punts and Ben Roethlisberger took 12 of those efforts for himself, Wafzig was solid in averaging 41.1 yards per punt, pinning the opposition inside its 20 seven times and launching six efforts of 50 yards or greater. A former walk-on wide receiver, Wafzig is entering his fourth season as Miami's starting punter and ranks fourth in the Miami career annals with his 40.1 yard average per punt. He was impressive in the season opener, averaging 49.5 yards per punt on two punts.
SNAPPING AND HOLDING: Miami will debut new faces at the all-important roles of long snapper and holder this season, though neither face is really all that new. Sophomore Dave McClain, who redshirted last season, takes over Miami's long snapping responsibilities, which he handled during the majority of the 2002 campaign when Scott Sagehorn was out for the season. Senior punter Mike Wafzig emerged during the fall as the RedHawks' primary holder and is backed up by Ryne Robinson.
GREASY, FAST SPEED: Miami's coaching staff is hoping pure speed is the anecdote for solving the team's 2003 kickoff return woes. The RedHawks averaged a league worst15.6 yards per kick return in 2003 and are looking to improve upon that opening field position in 2004. Junior Darrell Hunter, who returned a team-high 12 kicks in 2003, joins Ryne Robinson, Miami's punt returner in 2003, to form arguably the fastest kickoff return tandem in program history. Hunter a former Ohio track and field sprint champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes is the fastest player in program history while Robinson is just five-hundredths of a second slower in the 40-yard dash.
