The Associated Press

There's more to Ben Roethlisberger than just an arm that doesn't seem to get tired. The Miami 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.

He punted three times for Miami in that game 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."

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.

"At this juncture of the season, an off week is always good," he said. "I'm hoping it can heal up a few guys. I think we'll be able to maintain our momentum, and playing a rival like Miami certainly helps."

The game Saturday will be the 79th between the teams, with Miami holding a 47-29-2 edge.

"Miami obviously is our biggest rival and it's always a big week on our campus. Many of our players had to choose between us and Miami, so there's a lot of feeling there that goes back to high school days," Knorr said.

Miami has a rivalry with Cincinnati that goes back 20 years longer than the one with the Bobcats, and Hoeppner said he couldn't classify one rivalry as bigger than the other.

"This is always a fun football game, always an emotional one," he said. "It's a division battle, and the fact that we've played so long against each other makes it a big one every year."