Saturday, October 27, 2001
Options help Miami offense
Roethlisberger has plenty of WRs to spread 'D'
By Ian Duthie
Enquirer contributor
OXFORD — Each week Miami University's football team is gaining more confidence in its wide-open spread offense. The RedHawks (5-2, 4-0 Mid-American Conference) have averaged 29.2 points a game in their five-game winning streak. As the RedHawks prepare to face defending Western Division champion Western Michigan (4-3, 3-1) in a Homecoming game today, Miami coach Terry Hoeppner sees his team's options as limitless.
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W. MICH at MIAMI
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• Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. today, Yager Stadium (30,012), Oxford, Ohio.
• Records: Miami 5-2 (4-0 Mid-American Conference), Western Michigan 4-3 (3-1).
• TV: Fox Sports Ohio.
• Radio: WCKY-AM (1360) and Miami Radio Network.
• Series: Miami leads 35-16-1 (last, 1994: WMU 28-25).
• Line: Miami by 4 1/2.
• What to watch: Which defense will be able to stop the other team's spread offense, and will either team try to run the ball?
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Hoeppner will send four and five receivers on every pass and can turn to a running game that has had three different backs lead the team in rushing. As a former defensive coordinator, Hoeppner knows the frustration of stopping such a well-organized, diverse attack.
“At times you can have the play defended perfectly and still see the offense make positive yardage,”
Hoeppner said.
What is scary for Miami's opponents is offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery has used only 40 percent of the playbook, adding new plays every week.
At the helm of this high-powered attack is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is on track to have one of the best freshman seasons ever at Miami.
Roethlisberger tied a school record with five touchdown passes last week in a 36-24 victory at Ohio and is 504 yards shy of the Mid-American Conference freshman passing mark of 2,189 yards, with five games to play. He has 17 touchdown passes, with at least one in every game. His coaches see him making better decisions, staying away from careless interceptions that stalled drives earlier in the year.
In recent weeks, defenses have attempted to blitz on a regular basis to hurry the young quarterback into mistakes. This tactic has proven just as ineffective, with Roethlisberger working from the shotgun formation and releasing the ball quickly.
“Every week we practice getting the ball out of his hand in under two seconds,” Hoeppner said. “The shotgun allows him a better look at where the defenders are blitzing from, and the receivers do a great job of breaking off the routes after reading the coverage.”
Roethlisberger knows his job is made easier by the receivers surrounding him. He gives them all the credit for his success. The group's biggest playmaker has been its smallest member — 5-foot-9 Eddie Tillitz, who has consistently provided big plays. He averages nearly 15 yards a catch and is tied for the team lead with four receiving touchdowns.
Junior Jason Branch uses his 6-6, 218-pound body well to bring down throws in traffic and leap over defenders. He leads Miami with 27 catches and 374 yards.
Next is speedster Michael Larkin, Roethlisberger's roommate. Larkin had his best game last week against Ohio, catching six passes for 93 yards and two scores. Chauncey Henry (19 catches, 235 yards, two touchdowns) and Randy Stegman (nine catches, 107 yards, one touchdown) complete the group.
“We just roll them all in at different spots and we have confidence in all of them,” Hoeppner said. “No play do we have a definite, designated guy to throw to.”
Western Michigan features a similar offense that looks to spread out the defense and find favorable one-on-one matchups. The RedHawks' defensive ability to adjust to Western Michigan's passing attack will be key a week after facing Ohio's rushing-oriented offense.
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Options help Miami offense
