College Career

Miami University

Ben was recruited by both the University of Miami, Ohio, and The Ohio State University. In the end, Miami won and he became a Redhawk. In the 2000 season, he took that year as a redshirt. In 2001, he became the starting quaterback. In his first year he threw for 3,105 yards with 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He again had a solid 2nd season throwing 3,238 yards and 22 touchdowns. It was as a redshirt sophomore that he said he "started to feel comfortable with the way things were going in the offensive system and everything that was unfolding at Miami."

During his 3 seasons at Miami, he broke numerous records, both school and NCAA. He took Miami to the Mid-American Conference championship during his junior year and completed 70 percent of his passes. "My No. 1 goal was to win a championship," he said. "And after we won the championship, it was (like), ‘I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish at Miami,’ so that’s when it was a reality that I’m going to get a chance to hopefully make it to the NFL." After they beat Louisville for the championship, he filed for the NFL draft, which ended his career as a Redhawk.