By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Miami's Ben Roethlisberger runs for a first down near the Marshall goal line. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

OXFORD - If Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a weakness, Bo Schembechler can't spot it.

"He could play at Allegheny A&M and have success," Schembechler said. "He's very talented. I haven't detected anything he can't do."

The former Miami and Michigan football coach was on hand Wednesday at Yager Stadium for the RedHawks' game against Marshall, and Roethlisberger confirmed Schembechler's assessment. The junior completed 18-of-29 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns and junior running back Mike Smith scored two touchdowns to lead the RedHawks to a 45-6 win that clinched the MAC East Division championship and gave them their first-ever berth in the MAC title game.

Miami (9-1, 6-0) snapped a five-game losing streak to Marshall (6-4, 4-2) and took a two-game lead over the Thundering Herd with two games to play. The RedHawks also gained the advantage in the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The MAC championship game between the East and West division champions is Dec. 4 on the West champion's home field.

Since losing the season-opener at Iowa, Miami has won nine consecutive games, its longest winning streak since the 1975 team ended the season with 10 in a row, including the Tangerine Bowl, and the longest regular-season winning streak since the 1973 team went 10-0 before winning the Tangerine Bowl.

The RedHawks, who have never won an East Division title or played in the conference championship game since the MAC adopted the format in 1997, scored touchdowns on three of their four first-half possessions and added a fourth on linebacker Terna Nande's 43-yard return of an interception.

The Thundering Herd, whose minus-14 turnover differential was second-worst in the MAC going into game, committed five against Miami, four in the second half.

Despite facing a stiff and constant 12-25 mph wind from the north, the RedHawks opened the game with a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive and never looked back.