Behind a high-flying offense that  staged an all-out assault on the program and MAC record books and a defense with a knack for big plays, Miami University returned to the national college football stage, ending the program's longest MAC Championship drought and earning its first bowl game victory since 1975.
Ben Roethlisberger
 Rough Start
Ironically, the highest-scoring offense in program history made a dismal debut at the University of Iowa, falling 21-3—the first time the Red and White was kept out of the endzone in 93 games. Junior place kicker Jared Parseghian extended his MAC record with his 18th consecutive field goal conversion on Miami's opening drive, but the RedHawks, who were twice intercepted in the red zone, would not score again.
 Win Streak Begins
After an uncharacteristically early bye week, Miami returned to action at Northwestern University two weeks later and took out its frustrations with a 44-14 thrashing of the Wildcats. Junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shook off his four-interception performance at Iowa by torching Northwestern for 353 yards and three touchdowns, including a season-long 61-yard TD strike to Martin Nance, who caught four passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns in a breakout performance.
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Miami made its first visit to Ft. Collins, Colo., the following week to take on Colorado State. On an eye-opening day, the RedHawks ambushed the Rams in their own house, scoring the game's first 14 points and leading by as much as 21. It was junior running back Mike Smith's day to break out, as Smith rolled through the Rams for 125 yards and three TDs.
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The next week brought the 108th Battle of the Victory Bell, as Miami and Cincinnati clashed on the RedHawks' brand new field turf. Miami roared out to a 28-0 lead and held a 42-17 edge early in the fourth quarter, but the Bearcats rallied with 20 unanswered points in the fourth. With UC receiving a punt that would put it in position to drive for a winning score, Miami forced a key fumble to secure Miami's third straight Victory Bell win.
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With the arrival of October, Miami began conference play with a homecoming tilt versus Akron. Miami built a 24-10 advantage in the third quarter, but the Zips tallied 10 unanswered points and were driving for the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. An interception by sophomore John Busing killed the drive and Akron's chances, as Miami tallied 21 points in the fourth quarter and clinched the 45-20 win.
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Sophomore punt returner Ryne Robinson put on a show for a Parent's Weekend crowd the following weekend versus Buffalo. Robinson returned back-to-back punts for touchdowns and set a MAC record with 237 punt return yards, as Miami dominated, 59-3.
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After its three-game homestand, Miami traveled to Ball State to spoil the Cardinals' homecoming festivities. Busing intercepted BSU's first pass of the day and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, and sophomore Darrell Hunter later added a 64-yard interception return for a TD. The RedHawks held Ball State to just 29 yards rushing in the 49-3 thrashing.
Martin Nance
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A visit to Kent State proved to be the gut-check of the year for the RedHawks, as Miami found itself trailing for the first time in more than six games early in the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger and Nance answered the bell, however, connecting on a pair of fourth-quarter TDs and guiding Miami to a 38-30 win. Nance finished with 181 yards and three touchdowns.
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Weeknight football came to Oxford on Nov. 4, as Miami hosted nationally-ranked Bowling Green for an ESPN2 televised night game. The RedHawk defense restricted the vaunted Falcon offense to season lows in points and total offense and senior Cal Murray rushed for a pair of touchdowns in an impressive 33-10 victory.
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MAC-East rival Marshall came to town the following week for another nationally-televised contest, and Miami overcame the Thundering Herd and winds gusting up to 50 mph to secure their first MAC East title. Roethlisberger threw for 282 yards and a pair of TDs in spite of the nasty conditions.
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With a berth to the MAC Championship already secured, Miami traveled South and closed out the regular season at UCF. Roethlisberger completed his first 14 passes and tied a program record with five TD passes on the day, as Miami cruised to the 56-21 win.
 MAC Championship
Six days later, Miami went to Bowling Green for a re-match with the Falcons in the MAC title game. BGSU became the only team to score first versus the RedHawks, but it would not be enough to stop Roethlisberger, who set a MAC Championship game record with 440 yards passing. Miami defeated BG, 49-27.
 GMAC Bowl
The motto all year was "Play 14" and the 14th and final game of the magical season took place in Mobile, Ala. in the GMAC Bowl. Playing his last game as a RedHawk, Roethlisberger powered Miami to a 35-7 second-quarter edge and finished with 376 yards, four TDs and MVP honors. Junior Matt Pusateri returned a fourth-quarter interception 35 yards for a TD to ice the RedHawks' record 13th straight win. Miami would defeat Louisville 49-28.
 National Recognition
The RedHawks finished the season at 13-1 and one of only four teams nationally with one loss. Their No. 10 final AP ranking matched the best in program history.
 Key Players
QB Ben Roethlisberger – Threw for 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns
RB Cal Murray – Rushed for 1,030 yards and 12 touchdowns
RB Mike Smith – 18 rushing touchdowns
WR Martin Nance – 90 receptions for 1,498 yards and 11 touchdowns
PR Ryne Robinson – Averaged 17.2 yards per punt return
LB Matt Pusateri – 141 tackles
LB Terrell Jones
DL Phil Smith – 23 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks
DB John Busing – 5 interceptions
OL Jacob Bell – First Team All-MAC
OL Todd Londot – Second Team All-MAC
OL Ben Herrell – Second Team All-MAC    Â
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