By Kevin Chlum
Enquirer contributor

ATHENS, Ohio - Kick returner Ryne Robinson and wide receiver Martin Nance set Mid-American Conference and school records Saturday as No. 18 Miami won its 10th straight game, defeating Ohio 49-31.

Miami's Call Murray (43) breaks to his left to avoid Ohio's Willie Sherman (56). (AP photo) | ZOOM |

The RedHawks (10-1, 7-0 MAC) also broke single-season school marks by totaling 5,286 yards and 448 points thus far. They play Central Florida on Friday, followed by the MAC championship game and a likely bowl game.

"Today we played, obviously, the best football team we play this year," Ohio coach Brian Knorr said.

Robinson broke the conference record for single-season punt return yards with 615, and Nance recorded six receptions for 95 yards to break Miami's single-season record for receiving yards. He has 1,097 this season.

"As an offense, we want to get out and score as often and as early as possible," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns.

The 80 combined points were the most in the 80 meetings between the two schools.

Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger fakes the handoff to RB Mike Smith (25), then sets up to pass. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Roethlisberger's first two touchdowns - 33 yards to Nance and 28 yards to Matt Brandt - sandwiched a 70-yard scoring punt return by Robinson.

The Bobcats got on the board with a 1-yard run by quarterback Ryan Hawk with 4:15 left in the first quarter.

A 28-yard field goal by Greg DiMarino cut Miami's lead to 21-10 before a 13-yard run by Cal Murray and a 17-yard pass from Roethlisberger to R.J. Corbin put Miami up 35-10 at the half.

Ohio was held to 127 total yards through three quarters, including 26 in the third.

"A goal of mine playing against the option offense is to make them not run the option either because the score is out of reach or we did a good job against them," Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said.

Roethlisberger finished his day with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Nance with 39 seconds left in the third quarter.

"(The record) means a lot, but credit falls to the guys around me: the offensive line, and obviously Ben getting me the ball," Nance said.

Miami's second-string offense turned over the ball twice, which helped Ohio score 21 fourth-quarter points on 207 yards.

Miami	14	21	14	0	-49
Ohio	7	3	0	21	-31

First Quarter

Mia-Nance 33 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), 13:12.

Mia-Robinson 70 punt return (Parseghian kick), 9:01.

Ohio-Hawk 1 run (DiMarino kick), 4:15.

Second Quarter

Mia-Brandt 28 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), 13:28.

Ohio-FG DiMarino 28, 7:25.

Mia-Murray 13 run (Parseghian kick), 5:31.

Mia-Corbin 17 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), :16.

Third Quarter

Mia-M.Smith 1 run (Parseghian kick), 8:41.

Mia-Nance 2 pass from Roethlisberger (Parseghian kick), :39.

Fourth Quarter

Ohio-Huston 12 run (DiMarino kick), 10:36.

Ohio-Hackett 83 pass from Everson (DiMarino kick), 9:00.

Ohio-Jackson 2 run (DiMarino kick), 4:10

A-14,327.

	Mia	Ohio
First downs	28	21
Rushes-yards	34-123	45-87
Passing	372	247
Comp-Att-Int	22-35-1	14-31-0
Return Yards	159	108
Punts-Avg.	4-42	9-37
Fumbles-Lost	2-2	1-0
Penalties-Yards	7-65	7-48
Time of Possession	27:52	32:08

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Miami, Murray 14-92, Ciborowski 7-28, M.Smith 10-18, Roethlisberger 3-(minus 15). Ohio, Huston 5-31, Young 7-22, Owens 7-8, Ray 7-7, Everson 6-6, Taylor 3-5, Jackson 2-4, Hawk 6-4, Porter 1-1, Team 1-(minus 1).

PASSING-Miami, Roethlisberger 19-28-0-294, Betts 3-7-1-78. Ohio, Everson 9-19-0-182, Hawk 4-8-0-50, Ray 0-3-0-0, Porter 1-1-0-15.

RECEIVING-Miami, Nance 6-95, Larkin 4-53, Robinson 2-61, Brandt 2-39, Smith 2-36, Busing 2-33, Murray 2-21, Blackmon 1-17, Corbin 1-17. Ohio, Porter 5-86, Hackett 4-98, Young 2-39, Mayle 2-22, Ingram 1-2.

MAC standings

East

	Conf.		Overall
	W	L	W	L
Miami	7	0	10	1
Marshall	5	2	7	4
Akron	5	3	7	5
Kent State	4	4	5	7
UCF	2	5	3	8
Ohio	1	6	2	9
Buffalo	1	7	1	11

West

	W	L	W	L
Bowling Green	6	1	9	2
Toledo	6	1	8	3
N. Illinois	6	2	10	2
W. Michigan	4	4	5	7
Ball State	3	5	4	8
E. Michigan	2	6	3	9
Cent. Michigan	1	7	3	9

Saturday's Results

Bowling Green 41, Ball St. 14

Navy 63, Cent. Michigan 34

N. Illinois 38, E. Michigan 24

Miami 49, Ohio 31

Kent St. 34, Buffalo 24

Toledo 34, W. Michigan 17

Friday's Games

Ohio at Marshall, Noon

Miami at UCF, 1 p.m.

Toledo at Bowling Green, 6 p.m.