By Colleen Kane
Enquirer staff writer

OXFORD - Miami quarterback Josh Betts spent a large portion of his much-anticipated first start in replacing Ben Roethlisberger standing on the Yager Stadium sidelines Saturday night.

But this is the kind of bench-sitting you don't mind so much.

Miami University quarterback Josh Betts throws a pass during his first career start against the Indiana State Sycamores at Yager Stadium. (Enquirer photo/SARAH CONARD)

Betts left with Miami leading Division I-AA Indiana State 49-0 in a game the RedHawks dominated in every way. The Miami defense shut out the Sycamores. The RedHawks special teams recorded a touchdown.

The Miami offense, led by 214 passing yards from Betts, scored touchdowns on its first five drives and didn't need to punt until there was one minute to play in the first half.

The 49-0 opening win extended the nation's longest Division I-A win streak to 14 games, dating back to the RedHawks' 2003 season-opening loss at Iowa.

Indiana State, which is trying to improve on a 3-9 season last year after the addition of 20 offseason transfers, has now lost to every Division I-A team it has played since 2001.

The game was scheduled to be the first Division I-A game of the college season. But 15 minutes before the 7:06 p.m. kickoff, lightning was spotted within a 6-mile radius of the stadium and the stands were cleared of thousands of poncho-wearing and umbrella-bearing fans.

The game was delayed about 45 minutes, allowing the 7:45 p.m. USC-Virginia Tech game to start around the same time.

But amid sheets of rain, Miami was able to claim the first touchdown of the season. After completing his first three passes of his first start and then tossing a near-interception, Betts found senior running back Luke Clemens for a 16-yard pass play with 7:50 to go in the first quarter.

Betts went on to complete eight of his first nine passes and 12-of-18 in the first half for 184 yards. He targeted multiple receivers, including senior Michael Larkin for 30- and 5-yard touchdown passes in the second and third quarters.

Then with a little more than 6 minutes to play in the third quarter, Betts was replaced by freshman quarterback Mike Kokal. Betts was 17-of-27 passing for 214 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for one touchdown. Roethlisberger passed for 193 yards and one touchdown in his debut against Michigan.

But Betts also had plenty of help. Clemens led the rushing attack with nine carries for 69 yards and one rushing touchdown to add to his touchdown reception. Sophomore Ryne Robinson returned a punt 70 yards for his fourth career touchdown on a punt return.

He added 67- and 82-yard punt returns for touchdowns, but both were called back because of Miami penalties.

The Miami defense also provided a nice cushion. Indiana State struggled to just 204 total offensive yards and suffered three turnovers -- one interception and two lost fumbles. Kicker Kyle Hooper missed a 38-yard field goal with 9:51 to play in the fourth quarter for ISU's first real scoring threat of the game.

Saturday night was also the debut of Miami's "phase two" of its renovation project.

The evening's overcast skies over Yager Stadium were brightened by Miami's new permanent lights that were turned on hours before the game.

The phase also included a yet-to-be-finished "Cradle of Coaches" plaza and a new scoreboard and video boardwhich played clips of the RedHawks 2003 season in the pregame and instant replays of their many touchdowns throughout.

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E-mail ckane@enquirer.com

Indiana State	0	0	0	0	-0
Miami	14	28	7	0	-49
M -- Clemens 16-yard pass from Betts (Parseghian kick). M -- Betts 1-yard rush (Soderquist kick) M -- Robinson 70-yard punt return (Parseghian kick) M -- Larkin 30-yard pass from Betts (Soderquist kick) M -- Smith 2-yard rush (Parseghian kick), 9:04 M -- Clemens 3-yard rush (Soderquist kick), 3:25 M -- Larkin 5-yard pass from Betts (Parseghian kick), 9:25