Miami University (4-4) upset No. 23 Ohio University (OU) (7-1) in a 23-20 thriller Saturday, snapping a six game series losing streak. It is the first time since 2003 the RedHawks defeated a ranked opponent in the regular season.

OU drove down to the RedHawk 7-yard line with nine seconds left, but the Bobcats elected to run one more play rather than attempt the game-tying field goal. That decision backfired though, as junior defensive lineman Wes Williams sacked Ohio junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton as time expired.

“Looking at Tettleton, it didn’t look like he was about to call the kicking team out there,” Williams said. “I just had one thought in my head, ‘I’m going to go get him.’ I looked up at the clock and I saw they didn’t have timeouts left and I was like, ‘If we get a sack here, it’s game over.’”

The sack sealed the win for the RedHawks, improving their Mid-American Conference (MAC) record to 3-1 and ending OU’s Bowl Championship Series hopes.

“Pandemonium man,” Williams said. “It was crazy. That’s what you play football for.”

Freshman kicker Kaleb Patterson gave the ’Hawks the lead on a 31-yard field goal with 1:24 left in the game after sophomore running back Spencer Treadwell busted a 30-yard run to put the RedHawks in field goal position.

“We’re very proud of our young true freshman kicker, Kaleb Patterson,” Head Coach Don Treadwell said. “He’s been really steady for us.”

Fans stormed the field following the game, undoubtedly the biggest win of the Treadwell era and one of biggest in recent memory.

“Certainly a big win for our program,” Treadwell said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

The Red and White last beat a ranked team in 2010, defeating Northern Illinois University in the MAC Championship game. The RedHawks defeated No. 20 Bowling Green State University in the regular season in 2003.

“It was great,” junior wide receiver Nick Harwell said. “I was so happy I didn’t know how to celebrate. It was really good to beat them. It was exciting. I think I speak for the whole team when I say that.”

The RedHawks defense gave up 464 yards, but still had arguably their best game. The 20 points given up were the fewest against a Football Bowl Subdivision team this season. The Bobcats converted only four of 15 third down attempts.

“We were huge on third down today,” junior cornerback Dayonne Nunley said. “We got off the field and got the offense the ball back.”

The RedHawks entered the game with six sacks all season, but sacked Tettleton six times. Redshirt senior defensive lineman Jason Semmes led the team with two.

“It is lovely to be back in coverage and see the quarterback go down,” Nunley said. “It’s just a sigh of relief.”

Redshirt senior quarterback Zac Dysert led the team on offense once again, completing 21 of 36 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown.

“Right now, I can’t say enough about my guys,” Dysert said. “I’m so proud of them and the team. The struggles we’ve been through and how we’ve fought.”

The RedHawks were balanced on offense, throwing 36 times and picking up 113 rushing yards on 33 attempts.

Nunley tied junior linebacker Chris Wade for a game high 11 tackles and also broke up two passes.

The game’s official attendance was 19,326, a season high. Treadwell said after the game he was happy with the fan attendance.

The RedHawks took the lead early after Patterson made a 40-yard field goal on their opening drive. The Red and White then went up 10-0 after Harwell reeled in a 54-yard pass from Dysert. Harwell finished with a game high eight catches for 138 yards and a score.