Roethlisberger played college quarterback at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After arriving at Miami in 2000, he was redshirted his first season. In the 2001 season, he made his collegiate debut against Michigan, completing 18 of 35 passes for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns. Against Akron, he broke the school single-game passing record with 399 passing yards, with 70 of those yards coming on a Hail Mary to Eddie Tillitz to win as time expired. When Miami played Bowling Green, he had 2 touchdowns and 305 passing yards and broke the MAC freshman passing yardage record. Playing against Hawai'i he broke school records for attempts, completions, and yardage, when he went 40 of 53 for 452 yards. He finished his first year with the Redhawks with 3,105 passing yards, 241 completions, and 25 touchdown completions.