The Cincinnati Enquirer

MUNCIE, Ind. - Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger turned in another efficient performance, and the Miami defense provided two scores Saturday as the RedHawks won their sixth straight game, 49-3 over Ball State.

The victory kept Miami unbeaten (3-0) and atop the Mid-American Conference's East division and, at 6-1, gave the RedHawks their best start since opening 10-1 in 1998.

The RedHawks have scored at least 40 points in the six-game winning streak, a school record.

"I'm satisfied with the win," said coach Terry Hoeppner. "We just had a lot of things go well today and came out with the victory."

Roethlisberger completed 23 of 31 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He extended his streak of games with multiple touchdown passes to six straight, and 21 for his career.

Miami's defense helped the RedHawks to a 35-0 halftime lead with two touchdowns - a 65-yard interception return by John Busing and a 64-yarder by Middletown graduate Darrell Hunter.

"I love the way our defense is playing right now. I wish on offense we could be a little more efficient," said Roethlisberger, who has thrown for 2,128 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Busing's TD came after Miami fumbled on its first play after receiving the opening kickoff.

Hunter's return capped the first-half scoring.

"We try to make every team have to play us on every down," said Hunter, a sophomore from Middletown. "Defensively, things are coming together for us as well as for myself."

Miami	21	14	7	7-49
Ball St.	0	10	7	7-3

First Quarter

Mia-Busing 65 interception return (Parseghian kick), 13:28

Mia-Smith 7 run (Parseghian kick), 7:26

Mia-Murray 2 run (Parseghian kick), 2:04

Second Quarter

Mia-Brandt 21 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick),7:21

Mia-Hunter 64 interception return (Parseghian kick), 2:54

Third Quarter

BSU-FG 27 Jackson, 12:45

Mia-Nance 5 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), 3:48

Fourth Quarter

Mia-Busing 5 pass from Betts (Parseghian kick),11:43

A-18,396.

	Mia	BSU
First downs	25	10
Rushes-yards	40-168	31-29
Passing	235	153
Comp-Att-Int	25-35-0	12-30-4
Return Yards	199	8
Punts-Avg.	4-36.8	6-36.0
Fumbles-Lost	1-1	2-1
Penalties-Yards	7-71	10-93
Time of Possession	34:39	25:21

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Miami, Smith 15-88, Ciborowski 15-51, Murray 6-25, Roethlisberger 4-4. Ball St., Bostic 2-27, Seiss 3-14, Blair 10-7, Wynn 5-6, Hill 9-(minus) 11, Roesch 2-(minus) 14.

PASSING-Miami, Roethlisberger 23-31-0-215, Betts 2-3-0-20, Robinson 0-1-0-0. Ball St., Hill 11-20-1-147, Roesch 1-10-3-6.

RECEIVING-Miami, Nance 7-85, Larkin 5-49, Brandt 3-35, Robinson 2-17, Corbin 2-7, Smith 2-1, Ciborowski 1-15, Murray 1-15, Tyler 1-6, Busing 1-5. Ball St., Ridgeway 5-69, Williamson 4-72, Franklin 1-6, Bostic 1-4, Steinhaus 1-2.