Spring Break
Miami to retire 'Big Ben's' number at football game
Nick Bonaventura
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Front Page
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The Athletic Department announced Tuesday that Roethlisberger will be the third Miami player in RedHawk football history to have his number retired.
Also attending the game will be the other two former Miami players to have their jerseys retired, Bob Hitchens and John Pont.
Roethlisberger, who played three seasons as the RedHawks' starting quarterback, led the team to 13 consecutive victories in 2003, a GMAC Bowl victory and holds every passing record in Miami football history.
He was drafted 11th in the NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the highest draft pick in Miami history, where he led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in just his second season, becoming the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
Upon hearing about "Big Ben's" return, Miami's current players were very excited.
"I was here in 2003 when Ben had his great year," said quarterback Mike Kokal. "He was a big reason why I came here, so having him at the game will be nice."
Other RedHawks echoed Kokal's sentiments.
"Anytime you get alumni at the games it's always big," said junior linebacker Joey Hudson. "But to have someone like Ben is huge."
Head Coach Shane Montgomery, who served as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during Roethlisberger's tenure at Miami, feels that such an important person at the game could have a big impact on the team.
"I'm sure having Ben here will get the guys excited to go out and win the ballgame," Montgomery said. "Just to have someone of his stature in the crowd can have an impact on the
team's morale."
The game itself features a matchup between two teams unbeaten in the Mid-American Conference: Bowling Green comes in at 1-0 in MAC play, while Miami currently sits in a tie in the MAC East with Akron at 2-0. The Falcons are coming off a blowout loss at Boston College, while the RedHawks are coming off a victory over Kent State, their second
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