Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli is caught trying to get out of the pocket. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

Miami University quaterback Ben Roethlisberger drops back in the pocket to throw. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli and Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had opposite starts in Miami's 31-26 win Saturday.

        Roethlisberger went 5-for-5 passing and took Miami 80 yards on its first possession, capping it with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Michael Larkin.

        “It's like a one-game season when we come out here and play Cincinnati,” Roethlisberger said. “We came out and played hard in the first half, and the offense did a really good job blocking on the line.”

        Guidugli misfired on his first four passes and UC was forced to punt after picking up a first down on a DeMarco McCleskey 23-yard run.

        Guidugli settled down to complete seven first-half passes, including an 84-yard touchdown pass to Jon Olinger. Roethlisberger remained hot, finishing the half 21-of-26 for 203 yards.

        MISSING VANN: UC's leading receiver, LaDaris Vann, was nearly nonexistent in the first half, catching one pass for 4 yards. Vann came into the game with 27 catches for 385 yards and finished Saturday's game with four catches for 31 yards.

        Vann extended his school record for consecutive games with a catch to 37.

        MOVING OUTSIDE: Miami senior Eddie Tillitz didn't score, but he made two key catches of more than 25 yards on two Miami scoring drives. Tillitz led RedHawks receivers with 77 yards on seven catches.

        “Most of my catches came on corner routes to the outside,” Tillitz said. “I was able to run a lot of out routes in the first half.”

        SURPRISE PLAY: Roethlisberger knew about the trick play “Hootenanny” the RedHawks ran to score a touchdown in the third quarter. He just didn't know how it worked with backup quarterback Josh Betts throwing a shovel pass to long snapper Tyler Vogel.

        “I don't really get to watch them do it in practice because it's kind of an extra-point play,” Roethlisberger said. “I think when Josh threw it, I had no clue what he was going to do, whether he was going to throw it or run it. I know when he threw it, I was the first one on the field to congratulate him.”

        ANGER MANAGEMENT: Miami coach Terry Hoeppner appeared upset at the officials in the first quarter after Tillitz caught a 27-yard pass. Hoeppner was so angry he came onto the field and threw his baseball cap.

        He avoided the topic after the game, however.

        “Sometimes, I see things differently than the officials,” Hoeppner said. “You know what, (officials) always win when it comes to those votes, though.”

        ETC: The Bearcats' Olinger, a senior, set career highs with 13 catches for 240 yards. ... UC is 43-57-7 all-time against Miami, including 35-43-5 at home. ... UC has lost back-to-back games to the RedHawks for the first time since losing three in a row from 1990-1992.

        Mark Schmetzer contributed.

Miami 31, Cincinnati 26 UC Miami stats Daugherty: UC-Miami UC-Miami notebook UC's Minter rushes to judgment Huggins intends to make 'Breakfast'

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