Miami's Michael Larkin dives for a ball that is just out of reach under coverage from Iowa's Antwan Allen. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

        OXFORD — Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said he is tired of making concession speeches.

        Yet after his RedHawks lost a chance to upset Big Ten school Iowa (2-0)on Saturday, he did just that.

        “We felt like we let one get away today,” Hoeppner said minutes after Miami's 29-24 loss.

        Miami's loss in front of 25,934 at Yager Stadium meant the RedHawks lost all momentum from last week's 27-21 upset of North Carolina. And it doesn't get any easier for Miami, which plays at LSU Saturday.

        Against the Hawkeyes, the RedHawks did not take advantage of Ben Roethlisberger's third-best collegiate passing performance (343 yards). Miami never recovered from two touchdowns negated by penalties.

        In the second quarter, receiver Michael Larkin was called for offensive pass interference as he caught what appeared to be a 4-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger. The RedHawks were penalized 15 yards and settled for a 36-yard field goal by Jared Parseghian.

Miami's Terna Nande battles for possesion of a fumble with Iowa's Ed Hinkel after Hinkel fumbled a punt in the 3rd quarter. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

        In the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger threw a 26-yard pass to Larkin, but it was negated by a holding penalty. Seven plays later, Miami turned over the ball after Roethlisberger failed to convert on fourth-and-10.

        “There were times it seemed like they brought 15 guys up front,” said Roethlisberger, who was sacked four times, including three times in the second half.

        Roethlisberger had no support from his running game, which accounted for only 14 yards. Cal Murray Jr. had 18 yards on six carries to lead Miami rushers.

        The Hawkeyes controlled the clock behind running back Fred Russell's 32-carry, 150-yard effort.

        Roethlisberger was forced to throw most of the second half. Larkin caught a game-high seven passes for 83 yards and a TD.

Miami's Alphonso Hodge tackles Iowa's Maurice Brown. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

        But it didn't lead to enough scoring.

        “Maybe we've closed the (competitive) gap, so we're heading in the right direction,” Hoeppner said. “But we're not there yet obviously.”

        Miami (1-1) was close. The RedHawks had momentum — and the lead. With less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Korey Kirkpatrick recovered a fumble by Iowa punt returner Ed Hinkel deep in Hawkeyes territory.

        Three plays later, Murray fell on a Mike Iriti fumble in the end zone to give the RedHawks a 17-16 lead.

        But from there, Miami lost control. The RedHawks were unable to stop Iowa's ensuing drive. Quarterback Brad Banks, who threw for 256 yards and a score, completed a 38-yard pass to Maurice Brown at the RedHawks 12-yard line, and Jermelle Lewis finished the drive with a 12-yard rush to the right.

        Roethlisberger, who completed 33 of 51 passes and threw for three TDs, was unable to answer. On the following series, he was sacked on a third-and-9.

        Iowa then added another score as Banks found receiver C.J. Jones on a 48-yard touchdown pass. Miami linebacker Matt Robillard was in position to make a tackle, but he was blocked at the last moment as Jones ran unchallenged down the sideline.

        “When you get a chance in the open field, you have to take advantage of it and take them down to the ground,” Robillard said.

        Miami tried to counter. But after the RedHawks reached Iowa's 12-yard line, Roethlisberger threw four consecutive incompletions.

        Roethlisberger reduced the deficit to five points with a 24-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jason Branch with 4:54 remaining but once again, the Miami defense was unable to make a stop and Iowa ate up the clock by gaining five first downs, including a 3-yard run by fullback Edgar Cervantes on third-and-1.

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