MOBILE, Alabama (Ticker) -- No. 15 Miami Ohio seeks to tie a school record with its 13th consecutive victory when it takes on Louisville in the GMAC Bowl.
The RedHawks (12-1) set a school record for wins in a season with a 49-27 triumph over Bowling Green in the Mid-American championship game and can match the mark for consecutive victories set from 1972-74.
Ben Roethlisberger has directed an offense that has been nearly unstoppable since a season-opening 21-3 loss at Iowa as the RedHawks are averaging just under 46 points during their winning streak.
At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, the strong-armed Roethlisberger has been projected as a first-round pick in the NFL draft if he opts not to return for his senior season.
Roethlisberger passed for 440 yards and four touchdowns against Bowling Green and joined former Marshall star Byron Leftwich as the only MAC quarterbacks to pass for more than 4,000 yards in a season. Roethlisberger has thrown for 4,110 yards.
Louisville's Stefan LeFors, while less heralded than Roethlisberger, could test Miami Ohio's secondary, having passed for 2,921 yards. Both teams rank in the top 10 nationally in total offense.
The Cardinals (9-3), who are making a school-record sixth straight bowl appearance, accepted a bid to the GMAC Bowl after Texas Christian turned down the invitation because it conflicted with final exams. The Horned Frogs instead are headed to the Fort Worth Bowl.
Bobby Petrino became the first Louisville coach to win nine games in his first season. The Cardinals capped the regular season with a 43-40 victory over Cincinnati, which came during an eventful week in which Petrino admitted he secretly interviewed for the Auburn job which was not vacant.
Louisville is making its second straight appearance in the GMAC Bowl, falling to Marshall, 37-15, last season.
Miami Ohio's last bowl game was a 37-7 loss to San Jose State in the 1986 California Bowl. The RedHawks have not won a postseason game since capturing three straight Tangerine Bowls from 1973-1975, when they put together a three-year record of 32-1-1.
