Miami barely skips a beat, routs Indiana State 49-0

OXFORD, Ohio – Josh Betts passed for three touchdowns and ran for a score to lead Miami of Ohio to a 49-0 rout of Division I-AA Indiana State on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.

Betts, making his first start as the replacement for first-round NFL draft choice Ben Roethlisberger, led the RedHawks to six touchdowns in the seven possessions he played. He completed 17 of 27 passes to help Miami win its 14th straight game, the longest streak in Division I-A.

The game started 49 minutes late because of lightning that flashed near Yager Stadium. After kickoff, the RedHawks wasted little time overwhelming the Sycamores.

Miami scored on its first five possessions, including Betts’ scoring passes of 16 yards to Luke Clemens and 30 yards to Michael Larkin. Betts also scored on a 1-yard sneak.

Ryne Robinson returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown and had two other punt returns for scores — a 67-yarder in the second quarter and an 82-yarder in the fourth — called back by penalties.

Miami turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions after Mike Kokal replaced Betts at quarterback. Twice the RedHawks were moving in for scores but fumbled at the Indiana State 8- and 20-yard lines.

Clemens was Miami’s leading rusher with 69 yards on nine carries. Martin Nance caught six passes for 75 yards. Betts also threw a 5-yard TD pass to Larkin to close the scoring.

Sidney Montford led Indiana State with 39 yards rushing on 16 attempts. Jake Schiff was 12 of 21 for 104 yards an interception.

Miami totaled 454 yards of offense to 204 for Indiana State. The RedHawks averaged 43 points and 501 yards a game last season, when Roethlisberger led Miami to a 13-1 record and a win in the GMAC Bowl.

Miami will have a tough time extending its winning streak to 15. The RedHawks play at No. 8 Michigan next Saturday.