Iowa’s pass defense will need to be ready for Saturday’s season opener against Miami of Ohio. Miami Junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has already tallied 47 career touchdown passes and in last year’s 29-24 loss to the Hawkeyes he put the ball in the air 51 times and piled up 343 yards. RedHawks coach Terry Hoeppner says Roethlisberger has become the leader of the team. He says it’s difficult as a freshman and sophomore to be a leader, but Hoeppner says Roethlisberger did a good job. He says that leader role has expanded now that he’s a senior. Hoeppner feels he is a better quarterback this year, physically, mentally and emotionally. Hoeppner says like every team at this point they are eager to start the season. He says there’s always anxiousness when you start the season, and the opportunity to show what they can do comes against Iowa.
