Monday, August 13, 2001
Miami gives wink, nod to Roethlisberger
By Ian Duthie
Enquirer contributor
Redshirt freshman Ben Roethlisberger was named Miami University's tentative starter after spring practice with the coaches liking his size (6-5, 209 pounds) and his arm strength.
Roethlisberger turned down scholarship offers from Ohio State and Duke after throwing a state record 54 touchdowns and 4,041 yards in his senior year at Findlay. “Ben has taken the majority of the snaps with the first team, and he has looked sharp early. I haven't named a starter, and I don't have to name (a definite) starter for a while,” third-year coach Terry Hoeppner said.
Sophomore Ryan Hawk is the only quarterback returning with experience after attempting three passes last season in limited action. Hawk is more of the running, athletic quarterback that the coaches see bringing a “special” aspect to their 2001 attack.
Incoming freshman Josh Betts has impressed his coaches so much early that he has added his name into the mix for playing time. Betts' likelihood of opening the year as the starter are minimal because learning the offense so quickly will be more difficult for him.
“I am excited about their attitude and their drive to succeed. We don't want them to feel like they have a dark cloud over their head if are not successful right away,” Hoeppner said. “They are all young and, with work, improvement will come.”
Hoeppner and new offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery have discussed game-planning their offense around the strength of both their top quarterbacks. “(Roethlisberger and Hawk) are too good of athletes to not have on the field. We need to find a way to get them both on the field throughout the game and use their individual strengths to our advantage,” Montgomery said.
Their styles are as different as night and day. Hawk came from a high school program where he ran an option offense that relied on him to create plays, while Roethlisberger was more of your classic drop-back quarterback who hit receivers on designed routes at specific times.
“All of us are great competitors and battle each other everyday in practice. It makes each of us better, and that is what is great about having a competitive position and people competing for the job,” Roethlisberger said.
The RedHawks open at Michigan Sept.1. The Wolverines are ranked 12th in the AP Poll and tied for first in the Big Ten last season.Miami was predicted to finish third in the MAC East Division.
“It's going to be a challenge,” Hoeppner said. “We don't intend to go up there and get a paycheck. We intend to go up there and win a football game. The biggest difference between Big Ten Football and (Mid-American) football is people's perception.”
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Miami gives wink, nod to Roethlisberger
