The Miami University football team celebrates its MAC success and prepares for a battle with rival Ohio University during Homecoming weekend. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
After leading for much of the game, the Miami University football team found itself in another tight battle with Central Michigan University Oct. 16 with the game tied at 20 and less than five minutes remaining in regulation.
Enter redshirt sophomores Zac Dysert and Andy Cruse. The dynamic duo connected for Cruse's ninth reception of the game and a game-winning 71-yard touchdown pass with just 19 seconds remaining that propelled the RedHawks past the Chippewas and improved their record to 4-3, including a 3-0 undefeated mark in conference play.
"(Central Michigan) was playing a cover eight (defense) … and the defensive back really didn't get a good jam on (Cruse)," Head Coach Michael Haywood said. "It was either one or two series before that (DeMarco Paine) was running down the sideline open, and (Dysert) recognized that and when he stepped up in the pocket he hit (Cruse) on a 71-yard touchdown."
The victory is Miami's first on the road since 2008, while Central Michigan falls to 2-5 on the season and 1-3 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
The RedHawks got another great performance from Dysert, who finished the day 29-47 for 399 yards to go with three touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception since the Missouri game, and his consistency has been one of the keys for the offense this year.
Meanwhile, Miami's receivers had another impressive day.
Cruse finished the game with nine receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Armand Robinson had another solid performance, catching nine balls for 102 yards.
In addition, freshman wide receiver Nick Harwell had eight receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. Harwell had six receptions the previous week at Cincinnati and has continued to improve for the Red and White this season.
"(Harwell) has stayed focused on getting better each and every week and (has tried) to be the best at his position," Wide Receivers and Assistant Coach Alex Wood said. "We need to show up and play hard (every week). Every team presents different issues and we need to play winning football, meaning no drops or turnovers."
Miami took a 10-7 lead into halftime against Central Michigan following the first of two interceptions by sophomore linebacker Evan Harris, which led to a field goal by senior kicker Seth Phillip. Phillip was forced to fill in for senior kicker Trevor Cook following an injury earlier in the game.
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The RedHawks extended their lead to 17-7 on their first drive of the second half after Dysert hit Harwell on a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Chippewas responded with a touchdown of their own at the end of the third quarter, cutting Miami's lead to three entering the fourth quarter.
Field goals from both teams in the fourth quarter eventually tied the game 20-20 before Dysert hit Cruse for the game-winning score.
The defense did a good job of bending but not breaking against the Chippewas, according to Haywood. After driving the ball inside the Miami 15 yard line twice in the fourth quarter, the Red and White held Central Michigan to two field goals, giving the offense a chance to win the game.
Coming off of a tough defeat at Cincinnati where the RedHawks gave up 384 yards on the ground, Miami bounced back by only allowing Central Michigan to rush for 72 yards on 24 carries. Although the Red and White allowed the Chippewas to throw for 329 yards through the air, Haywood continues to see improvement in this team.
This was a big win for the RedHawks, who now sit alone atop the MAC East Division entering the rivalry game with Ohio University Oct. 23.
"This is a huge win and is huge for the program," Cruse said. "We realize (Ohio) is a huge game, especially with it being on homecoming weekend."
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