DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — It happened exactly six years ago to the day that Ben Roethlisberger found himself back at Yager Stadium on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback listed it among his best moments at Miami University, the 70-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Eddie Tillitz which beat Akron 30-28 on the final play back on Oct. 13, 2001.

Other unforgettable Miami moments for the man called "Big Ben" — Miami's 52-51 loss at Hawaii on a night when he passed for 452 yards, the muddy night at Bowling Green when the RedHawks clinched their first Mid-American Conference title in 17 years, the GMAC Bowl victory over Louisville.

But mostly, Roethlisberger's best memories are of Terry Hoeppner.

Which made it appropriate that on the same day that Miami retired Roethlisberger's No. 7 jersey, they also honored the memory of the late Miami and Indiana head coach with a plaque that will hang in the Cradle of Coaches Plaza at Yager Stadium.

"He was like a father to me," Roethlisberger said of Hoeppner, who died earlier this year. "He was one of the main reasons I am where I am and have accomplished so much."

The traits that Roethlisberger admired in Hoeppner, he said, were "his charisma, his leadership, the fun he had, his enthusiasm. He just wanted to win."

Roethlisberger was honored in a pregame ceremony, flanked by his parents on one side, and on the other side by Jane Hoeppner (Terry's wife) and by John Pont and Bob Hitchens, the only other Miami football players to have their numbers retired.

Roethlisberger said it was his goal "growing up" to have his number retired in high school, in college and in the NFL. His high school No. 7 already has been retired. Two down, one to go.

"I don't know how I got that crazy idea in my head," he said.

Roethlisberger, who was injured in a motorcycle accident while not wearing a helmet in June of 2006, was asked if he still has the motorcycle.

"I don't know, I forget," he said with a grin.