Brandon Godsey Miami Sports Information

OXFORD, Ohio (AP)(Sept. 23) -- Cal Murray ran for 113 yards and a school-record-tying four first-half touchdowns Sept. 23, leading Miami University to a 45-14 win over Kent State.

Miami improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the MAC's East Division (2-0 overall), while Kent State, which has dropped six successive games, fell to 0-4 and 0-1. Miami now has won 14 of its last 15 home games vs. MAC foes. The RedHawks also have defeated the Golden Flashes 12 straight games.

After Sly Johnson caught a 7-yard TD reception on Miami's first series, Murray scored on a 5-yard run midway through the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. His TD was set up by a 56-yard interception return from Brandon Godsey.

Murray then added touchdown runs of 4, 48 and 5 yards in the second quarter as the RedHawks (3-1, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) took a 35-0 lead. The four first-half TD's equaled Miami's single-game record for rushing TD's in a half, as well as the single-game mark. It was the 10th time in school history that a player has scored four rushing TD's in a game, but the first by a Miami freshman.

"I'm happy for Cal," said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. "We have two great tailbacks, two guys who compliment each other real well."

Murray replaced starter Steve Little in the first quarter after Little fumbled on the KSU 1-yard line with the RedHawks up 7-0.

"It has been a rule around here for a long time -- don't put the ball on the ground. Steve will be back. But Cal Murray -- wow. He ran hard today. We want to be able to run the ball on offense."

Miami increased its 35-point halftime lead to 38-0 early in the third when Andy Brumbergs booted a 27-yard field goal.

The Golden Flashes got on the scoreboard when Jeff Valentino scored on an 11-yard run off a fake field goal attempt with 1:57 left in the third quarter. Valentino also threw a 9-yard TD pass to Ray Quinn in the fourth.

In addition to the 7-yard scoring pass to Johnson, Mike Bath tossed a 10-yard TD reception to Johnson in the fourth quarter. That gave Bath 44 career TD passes, tying Miami's single-game record and moving into a three-way tie for ninth place on the MAC's all-time list with Toledo's Chris Wallace (1995-98) and Miami's Sam Ricketts (1994-97).

Bath completed 21-of-32 for 261 yards, while Johnson caught five passes for 85 yards. The RedHawks rushed for 210 yards on 37 attempts.

Chante Murphy had 98 yards rushing on 14 carries for Kent State.