DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Miami University football coach called it "a perfect ending to a perfect day."

The RedHawks finally put it all together Saturday and burned the Bowling Green Falcons 47-14 in an emotional day at Yager Stadium.

It was a day that saw Ben Roethlisberger's jersey No. 7 retired, that saw the memory of late coach Terry Hoeppner honored at halftime, a day that saw Miami's offense break loose for five rushing touchdowns, a day that saw the defense clamp down on one of the nation's more prodigious passers.

"Our kids played very aggressively, and that's what it's all about," said Miami defensive coordinator Jay Hood.

Bowling Green quarterback Tyler Sheehan was sacked six times and held to 140 passing yards; his previous low this season had been 270.

Miami's Daniel Raudabaugh, starting in place of the injured Mike Kokal, had no such problems. He completed 16-of-24 passes for 237 yards and a 73-yard touchdown pass to Eugene Harris.

"Daniel Raudabaugh came in and played real well, had complete command of our offense," Montgomery said.

Earlier, Harris scored on a 6-yard run, the first collegiate touchdown for Harris, a red-shirt freshman.

Two other RedHawks who scored their first touchdowns were red-shirt freshman Jamel Miller on a 1-yard run in the second period and true freshman Thomas Merriweather on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The victory was Miami's third in a row and raised the RedHawks' record to 4-3 overall, 2-0 in the MAC East Division.

Miami opened a 30-7 halftime lead over the Falcons (3-3, 1-1 MAC East) and never looked back.

"Three in a row feels real good,"Raudabaugh said. "We're playing with a lot of confidence and we're playing with a lot of swagger ... We're riding high right now."

"We're going to enjoy this for about 24 hours," Montgomery said, "and then we're going to get ready for Temple."

Miami will play at Temple next Saturday.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.