Gradkowski became the sixth quarterback from the Mid-American Conference to start an N.F.L . game this season , joining Ben Roethlisberger -LRB- Miami of Ohio -RRB- and Charlie Batch -LRB- Eastern Michigan -RRB- of Pittsburgh , Chad Pennington -LRB- Marshall -RRB- of the Jets , Byron Leftwich -LRB- Marshall -RRB- of Jacksonville and Charlie Frye -LRB- Akron -RRB- of Cleveland .