Associated Press Photo
OXFORD, Ohio (Sports Network) - Kaleb Patterson's 31-yard field goal and a big sack on the last play of the game helped Miami-Ohio take a 23-20 win over 23rd-ranked Ohio in MAC play.
Zac Dysert passed for 311 yards on 21-of-36 attempts with a touchdown and interception, while Jamire Westbrook had a score on the ground for the RedHawks (4-4, 3-1), who snapped a two-game losing streak.
Tyler Tettleton went 23-for-38 with 302 yards and had a rushing touchdown along with Beau Blankenship for the Bobcats (7-1, 3-1), who were off to their best start since finishing the 1968 season with a 10-0 mark.
Ohio had tied the game with 4:41 to play, but Miami-Ohio quickly got back down the field thanks to a 17-yard catch from Nick Harwell and 30-yard run by Spencer Treadwell. That led to a 31-yard field goal from Patterson for a 23-20 lead with 1:24 to play.
The Bobcats quickly got back down the field and had a 1st-and-goal at the Miami-Ohio 7 after a run from Tettleton. With nine seconds left, the team opted for one more shot at the end zone, but Tettleton was sacked by Wes Williams and the game ended before Ohio could take another snap.
Miami-Ohio scored on its opening drive as a 14-play, 50-yard march was capped with a 40-yard field goal from Patterson with 9:05 to play in the first quarter. The team converted three third downs on the drive.
Following a three-and-out from the Bobcats, the RedHawks quickly added to their lead as the third play saw Dysert and Harwell get together on a 54-yard score and a 10-0 advantage.
Miami-Ohio scored on its third straight touch after forcing another punt from Ohio as Patterson's 32-yard field goal with 2:55 to play in the first made it a 13-0 game.
Ohio got its game together on its next touch as a six-play, 75-yard drive was capped on a 5-yard run into the end zone by Blankenship to make it a 13-7 game. The big play of the drive was a 45-yard catch from Chase Cochran.
On its first touch of the second quarter, Miami-Ohio benefited from a poor punt to start with the ball near midfield. On the second play, Dysert hit Dawan Scott for 38 yards down to the 1-yard line and Westbrook punched it in from there for a 20-7 lead.
The Bobcats responded with a score of their own on Tettleton's 3-yard touchdown with 9:45 to play in the half. His run capped a 9-play march that covered 71 yards and neither squad put up any more points the rest of the half.
Miami-Ohio came close to adding to its advantage before the break as the team made it to the Ohio 10, but Nathan Carpenter picked off Dysert with 19 seconds left.
Ohio opened the second half with the ball and was able to make it a 20-17 game on Matt Weller's 45-yard field goal.
The game stayed that way until the Bobcats tied it late in the fourth quarter. The nine-play, 41-yard drive was capped on a 38-yard field goal from Matt Weller to knot the game with 4:41 to play.