MAC FOOTBALL Roethlisberger has talented toe, arm to lead RedHawks

He's been both the offensive and special teams player of the week for Miami this season.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
There's more to Ben Roethlisberger than just an arm that doesn't seem to get tired.
The Miami of Ohio sophomore also has shown this year that he possesses a talented toe.
Ohio coach Brian Knorr said Roethlisberger's punting was one more thing to worry about as the Bobcats prepare to return after a week off and play the RedHawks on Saturday in Oxford in a Mid-American Conference game.
"Usually on Monday mornings, I'm hearing that Roethlisberger is the conference offensive player of the week," Knorr said. "Now I'm hearing that he's special teams player of the week. He can do it all."
Indeed, Roethlisberger was selected as the week's top MAC East Division special teams player for his punting in the RedHawks' 27-13 victory last Saturday over Toledo.
Big game punting
He punted three times for Miami and averaged 43 yards per kick, with regular punter Mike Wafzig kicking twice. Roethlisberger's punts pinned Toledo at its 9-, 4- and 3-yard lines.
For the season, Roethlisberger is slightly outkicking Wafzig, averaging 42.8 yards in nine punts to Wafzig's 41 yards in 30 attempts. Roethlisberger also is 211-of-323 for 2,472 passing yards and has thrown for 16 touchdowns.
His punting average would rank first in the MAC and 15th in the nation if he had the necessary number of punts.
Despite the statistics, Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said Roethlisberger won't be asked to do double duty on a regular basis.
"Ben's not really a punter, although sometimes it's a temptation to tell our regular punter I'm leaving him at home for road trips," he said.
"Ben throws right and punts left, and he's very handy and effective in special situations. He punts every day in practice and warms up with the punters, and it's just good to have him as an extra weapon."
Both teams need a victory to stay within range of East Division leader Marshall, which is 4-0 in the conference. Miami is 4-1 and Ohio 3-1.
"We have everything to play for," Hoeppner said of the RedHawks (6-3 overall), who have won two straight since losing to Northern Illinois.
"But one thing the loss to Northern Illinois did is removed any margin of error for us. Until you've got that second loss, you're still a viable contender for the division championship.
"The Northern Illinois game was going to either wear on us or motivate us and fortunately, it's motivated us."
Bobcats coming on strong
Ohio (3-5) started the season 0-4, but has won three of its last four games and two in a row. Knorr said that despite the team's turnaround, he was happy to be off last week.
The game Saturday will be the 79th between the teams, with Miami holding a 47-29-2 edge.
Elsewhere in the conference Saturday, No. 21 Bowling Green travels to Kent State in an attempt to remain unbeaten and to tie idle Northern Illinois for the Western Division lead. Marshall tries to hold on to the East Division lead at Akron. Western Michigan is at Ball State and Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan in other conference games, with Syracuse at Central Florida in nonleague play.