By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Shane Montgomery actually doesn't have to take much time when asked if there's anything Miami quarterback Josh Betts can do better on a football field than his predecessor, Ben Roethlisberger.

"Ben made a lot of big plays out of broken plays, but I think Josh actually is a little faster," the RedHawks' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach said. "On the other hand, Ben was a lot faster than he looked because of his frame, but Josh is really strong, too."

Nobody expects Betts to match the accomplishments racked up by Roethlisberger, who left a year early for the NFL. . At the same time, Betts knows there's a little growing room as the leader of a team that will take a 13-game winning streak into the season.

"I know I'm going to get the same questions over and over, " the 6-foot-3, 225-pound fourth-year junior said.

Unlike Roethlisberger, who didn't play quarterback until he was a senior at Findlay High School, Betts accumulated 685 passes worth of experience at Vandalia Butler, just north of Dayton. He completed 56 percent (386) for 6,020 yards and 53 touchdowns while throwing 21 interceptions in his career with the Aviators.

Betts was 160-of-262 passing (61 percent) for 2,817 yards and 19 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading Butler to an 11-2 record and Division II regional runner-up finish in 2000. The Associated Press named him the Southwest Ohio Offensive Player of the Year and second-team all-state.

Betts' first collegiate pass was memorable. On a trick play known in the Miami playbook as "Hoot-n-anny," he connected with Tyler Vogel for a 13-yard touchdown during Miami's 31-26 win over Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium in 2002.

Last year, with Miami outscoring opponents by an average of 23.6 points per game, Betts played in nine games and completed 19 of 36 passes passes for 263 yards and a touchdown.

"He's confident and smart," said senior wide receiver Michael Larkin, Roethlisberger's former roommate. "He got a lot of playing time last year. He's not as new as some people think."

Betts spent the summer working with Larkin and the other receivers, and Larkin says Betts' arm might be stronger than Roethlisberger's.

"Josh has a cannon," Larkin said. "He throws a good ball, and he has touch."

Betts figures his biggest challenge is not underthrowing Larkin and fellow sprinters Martin Nance and Ryne Robinson.

"He's got to put the ball out there and let us go get it," Larkin said.

So, Josh, is there anything you can do better than Ben?

"I did beat him in the last punting contest of the year, right before the bowl game last year," Betts said. "I went out on top there.

"I haven't played him in Ping-Pong yet, but I hear he's pretty good.

"I don't know. Ben has a knack for doing anything you put in front of him. I'm a different player - a different guy."

Betts file
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225
Class: Junior
Age: Betts turns 22 Wednesday.
2003 highlights: Completed 19 if 36 passes for 263 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

RedHawks schedule

Date	Opponent	Time
Saturday	Indiana St.	7 p.m.
Sep. 4	at Michigan	Noon
Sep. 11	at Cincinnati	7 p.m.
Sep. 18	Ohio	2 p.m.
Sep. 29	at Marshall	7 p.m.
Oct. 9	Kent St.	2 p.m.
Oct. 16	at Buffalo	1:30 p.m.
Oct. 23	Central Florida	7 p.m.
Nov. 2	Toledo	7:30 p.m.
Nov. 13	at W. Michigan	2 p.m.
Nov. 20	at Akron	Noon