The Cincinnati Enquirer

KENT, Ohio - Miami used a record offensive performance to earn its seventh consecutive victory Saturday, but it wasn't a blowout like the RedHawks' previous three victories.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passed for 409 of Miami's record 632 total yards, but the RedHawks had to come from behind and then hang on to defeat Kent State 38-30 here.

"This was a gut-check for our team," said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. "We need to build from this and get ready for next week's game with Bowling Green (Tuesday night, Nov. 4, at Yager Stadium). Kent State really put us to the test and we answered the bell."

It is Miami's third seven-game winning streak since 1998 but only the fourth since 1978.

Miami led 24-14 at halftime and 24-20 after three quarters. When Kent quarterback Joshua Cribbs linked up with Najah Pruden on a 21-yard scoring pass with 10:14 left, Kent State had the lead, 27-24.

But Roethlisberger produced drives of 80 and 52 yards, capping each with a scoring pass to sophomore Martin Nance, and Miami went ahead 38-27 before Travis Mayle closed the scoring for Kent State with a 38-yard field goal.

"We had a lot of time left on the clock and we have a lot of confidence in our system," said Roethlisberger, who completed 28-of-44 passes with only one interception. "We knew we could make the plays to win the game. Kent State did a lot of things to try to confuse us today, but we just had to do what we do as an offense and play Miami football."

Roethlisberger and Nance combined on three touchdown passes, including the final two scores.

Nance caught 10 passes for a career-high 181 yards, and the three TDs were also a personal best.

"Our O-line did a great job today helping us buy time," Nance said. "When that happens and you have a quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger, my job is easy. We just finish what the O-line starts."

The RedHawks improved to 7-1 and 4-0 in the Mid-American Conference. They lead the MAC East Division.

Kent State slipped to 3-6 overall, 2-3 in the MAC.

The game was delayed one hour and 16 minutes due to a lightning storm in the first quarter.

Mike Smith led Miami with 105 yards on 20 carries. He scored a touchdown for the sixth straight game.

The 632 total yards broke a 54-year old Miami record. Roethlisberger's 409 yards were the third-most in school history. He also has the top two - 525 yards against Northern Illinois and 452 against Hawaii.

Miami (Ohio)	14	10	0	14-38
Kent St.	7	7	6	10-30

First Quarter

Mia-Smith 14 run (Parseghian kick), 6:04

KSU-Cribbs 13 run (Mayle kick), 3:38

Mia-Nance 26 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), :46.

Second Quarter

Mia-FG Parseghian 29, 8:38

KSU-Smith 39 pass from Cribbs (Mayle kick), 4:30

Mia-Murray 1 run (Parseghian kick), 1:05.

Third Quarter

KSU-Cribbs 1 run (kick blocked), 3:59.

Fourth Quarter

KSU-Pruden 21 pass from Cribbs (Mayle kick), 10:14

Mia-Nance 11 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), 7:44

Mia-Nance 4 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), 4:51

KSU-FG Mayle 38, 2:56.

A-10,693.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Miami, Smith 20-105, Murray 18-92, Roethlisberger 7-38, Robinson 1-5, Team 1-(minus 1). Kent St., Cribbs 10-42, Brooks 7-8, Newton 3-5, Beverly 2-8, Bush 1-5, Smith 1-0.

PASSING-Miami, Roethlisberger 28-44-1-409. Kent St., Cribbs 19-38-2-349.

RECEIVING-Miami, Nance 10-181, Corbin 5-41, Larkin 3-57, Brandt 3-41, Busing 2-32, Murray 2-32, Williams 1-12, Tyler 1-10, Smith 1-3. Kent St., Dowery 7-197, Moore 4-56, Bush 3-16, Bell 2-9, Smith 1-39, Pruden 1-21, Bowen 1-11.

MAC Standings

East Division

	MAC		Overall
Team	W-L		W-L
Miami	4	0	7	1
Marshall	3	1	5	3
Akron	3	2	5	4
Central Florida	2	3	3	5
Kent State	2	3	3	6
Ohio	1	3	2	6
Buffalo	1	4	1	8

West Division

	MAC		Overall
Bowling Green	4	0	7	1
No. Illinois	3	1	7	1
Toledo	3	1	5	3
Ball State	3	1	4	4
Western Mich.	2	3	3	5
Central Mich.	0	5	2	6
Eastern Mich.	0	4	1	7

Saturday's Results

UCF 31, Cent. Michigan 13

Marshall 41, W. Michigan 21

Miami (Ohio) 38, Kent St. 30

Bowling Green 34, N. Illinois 18

Buffalo 26, Ohio 17

Ball State 38, Toledo 14

Non-conference

Connecticut 38, Akron 37

Next Saturday's Games

Akron at Marshall

Ball State at Northern Illinois

Buffalo at Toledo

Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan

Tuesday's Game

Bowling Green at Miami (Ohio)