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MOUNT PLEASANT, MI - The Miami RedHawks needed a bounce-back performance Saturday. Thanks to the return of a few veterans here and some new faces there, they got it. Quarterback Zac Dysert found sophomore receiver Andy Cruse all alone, and the duo combined for a 71-yard touchdown play with 19 seconds remaining as the RedHawks pulled out a 27-20 win at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

For the Chippewas, it was a rare setback against MAC East foes – particularly those from Ohio. It was also another loss at home – two weeks after CMU dropped a home game to Ball State.

Miami, on the other hand, overcame a number of earlier injuries, as well as self-inflicted penalties during the contest, to win its first road game since 2008.

It was also the RedHawks third MAC victory in as many outings. The RedHawks had one MAC win in each of the 2008 and 2009 seasons. By spoiling Central Michigan’s homecoming, they have now set themselves up for a homecoming showdown against rival Ohio University next week in Oxford.

Cruse and Nick Harwell were two of the relatively new faces that made Saturday’s big win possible. Injuries, such as Jamal Rogers broken foot (Cincinnati game), and coach Mike Haywood’s ongoing willingness to provide opportunities for those who will embrace them, opened the door.

Cruse surpassed his career highs by halftime and ended the day with eight catches for 179 yards with two touchdowns. Harwell, a speedy freshman from Missouri City, Texas, scored his first career touchdown in the third quarter and finished with eight grabs for 97 yards.

Both passing games flourished in a game featuring two of the MAC’s passing leaders. Dysert (No. 4 MAC in passing yardage) connected on 29-of-47 for 399 yards with three TDs and no interceptions.

Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff (No. 1 MAC in passing yardage) completed 29-of-52 for 329 yards. However, he was intercepted three times – twice by linebacker Evan Harris.

“Especially since Evan was a little banged up, he did a tremendous job for us today,” Haywood said. “He really competed.”

Central Michigan had an opportunity to draw first blood against Miami, taking the game’s opening drive to the visitors seven. Richie Hogan’s 24-yard field goal attempt, however, was wide.

A Miami field goal opportunity early in the second quarter also went bad – very bad. After its offense bogged down at the CMU 21, Miami sent sure-footed placekicker Trevor Cook (10-of-11 successful FG) into the game.

But the RedHawks quickly changed into another formation, and Cook ended up taking a pitch from Dysert around right end. He was upended short of the first down, and upon landing immediately grabbed his left knee. He did not return to the game.

“It really bothers me,” said Haywood, who earlier in the week had envisioned using Philip – “a guy that has a little more speed” - in the role. “I go back and I look at myself first, and I realize that it was a bad call.”

After forcing a CMU punt, Miami covered 63 yards in three plays for the game’s first score. Dysert found Harwell and Cruse for 29-yard receptions to open the drive. After a delay penalty, Dysert finished the drive with a 10-yard fade pass to Cruse. Seth Philip, taking over for Cook, converted the PAT.

CMU did everything BUT score on the following possession. The Chippewas moved all the way to Miami’s goal line before linebacker Jerrell Wedge ripped the ball away from Paris Cotton.

MU, however, not only couldn’t move the ball. It provided the hosts with excellent field position when Zac Murphy’s punt went just 22 yards to the Miami 26. After an incomplete pass, Cody Wilson ran for 21 yards, and Cotton covered the final five. Harman’s PAT tied the game at 7-all.

Miami made it to the Central Michigan eight-yard line late in the period, but a Matt Berning sack pushed MU to the 19. After a delay of game penalty – one of nine penalties for a total of 79 yards – and incompletion, Miami got its first look at field goal life without Cook. It wasn’t pretty, but Philip converted the 40-yard try to give Miami a 10-7 lead.

“Seth came in and did a good job of kicking the football,” Haywood said of the senior, who was successful on both field goals and all MU extra points.

A halftime play adjustment paid off for the visitors, who increased their lead to 17-7 on the opening drive of the third quarter. Dysert hit Harwell on a 24-yard scoring strike to finish a 12-play, 78-yard drive.

“The offensive staff drew that play up halftime,” Haywood said. “We realized that we had a skinny post to the back side for a touchdown. … It’s a compliment to the coaches, as well as the players.”

Carl Volny’s one-yard run and the PAT with 1:50 left made it a 17-14 margin as the teams heads into the final quarter.

Philip hit a 21-yard field goal for Miami, but CMU forged a 20-20 tie with two Harman FGs (28, 23) – the latter with  5:20 left.

Both defenses held before MU took over at the 1:09 mark. It was starting to look a lot like overtime after a pass interference call against Harwell on second down and 10 backed Miami down to its own 19-yard line.

Senior running back Thomas Merriweather’s 10-yard reception set up third-and-15. Dysert, looking for a receiver on the next play, started to scramble right. As he did, he found Cruse more than 10 yards behind the nearest defender. The sophomore cradled Dysert’s throw with both hands and raced untouched into the end zone.

“Zac started to scramble and Cruse really executed the scramble drill and took off going deep when the corner came up to take Zac,” Haywood said.  “It was an unbelievable play.”

Central Michigan (2-5, 1-3 MAC) gets another tough test next Saturday when it hits the road for a game at preseason MAC West favorite Northern Illinois.

Miami (4-3, 3-0 MAC) puts its unblemished MAC record on the line against a talented Ohio team.

“We’re definitely looking forward to coming back home for homecoming,” Haywood said. “It’s going to be an outstanding weekend.”