RedHawks Relinquish Bell With 45-26 Loss at Cincinnati
9/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 11, 2004
Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery
MIAMI REDHAWK FOOTBALL GAME NOTES
Cincinnati (1-1, 0-0 C-USA) 45, Miami (1-2, 0-0 MAC) 26
September 11, 2004
Team Notes
- In the 109th Battle for the Bell, Miami relinquished the Victory Bell to Cincinnati for the first time since 2000.
- Miami's defense gave up 40 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1988 when it gave up 45 and 41 to Ball State and Eastern Michigan, respectively.
- Miami's 19-point halftime deficit was it largest since a 24-0 first-half deficit at Iowa in 2001.
- In consecutive halves of play, Miami surrendered 33 points to Michigan (second half) and 31 points to Cincinnati (first half), marking the highest totals allowed by the RedHawks in a half since they surrendered 41 second-half points to Northern Illinois in 2002.
- Cincinnati was the first team to clear 300 yards rushing versus Miami since Kent State rushed for 333 in 2001. The Bearcats' 341 yards on the night were the most against Miami since Army rushed for 406 yards in 1996.
- After allowing only one scoring drive of more than 20 yards this season entering the game, Miami's defense gave up scoring plays of 70, 69 and 42 in the first half.
- Cincinnati's 295 yards of total offense in the first half were more than Miami surrendered in either of its first two games this season. On the night Miami surrendered 599 yards, more than the combined total of 478 yards in the first two games.
Individual Notes
- After a shaky start, junior quarterback Josh Betts got on track in the first quarter with consecutive completions of 30, 25 and 26 yards. He went on to enjoy a career-best outing, completing 26-of-43 passes for 416 yards and four touchdowns. His 416 yards passing yards were the fourth-highest single-game total in Miami history. His 448 yards of total offense were the third-highest total in program history.
- Senior safety Matt Pusateri ended the opening Cincinnati possession with an interception, marking his fifth career pick and fourth in the past five games.
- Miami's first scoring drive was sparked by a career-long 30-yard reception by junior tight end Dan Tyler. A 25-yard touchdown strike from Josh Betts to sophomore wide receiver Ryne Robinson concluded the drive.
- Senior wide receiver Michael Larkin finished the night with two receptions for 27 yards. A one-yard second quarter TD reception was the 27th of his career, tying him with John Pont (1949-51) for seventh on Miami's career TD list. He also extended his string of consecutive games with a reception to 40.
- On Miami's first scoring drive of the second half, sophomore Ryne Robinson played an integral role, making three receptions for 42 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown reception. He finished with six receptions for 83 yards and a career-high two TD receptions.
- Cincinnati native Josh Williams hauled in a 79-yard Betts' pass in the fourth quarter, marking the first TD reception of his career. The 79-yard strike was Miami's longest since an 81-yard strike from Ben Roethlisberger to Michael Larkin versus Bowling Green in 2001. His 120 yards receiving were a career high and the most by a Miami receiver this season.
- When Cincinnati blocked Jared Parsighian's second PAT attempt of the evening, it ended a string of 37 consecutive extra-point conversions by Parseghian.