Muncie, IN (Sports Network) - With just 17.7 seconds remaining in regulation Miami-Ohio's Brandon Murphy plunged across the goal line from six yards out, giving the RedHawks a thrilling, 14-13 victory over the Ball State Cardinals in a Mid-American Conference showdown from the Scheumann Stadium.

Murphy was the main offensive threat for Miami-Ohio (1-0, 1-0 MAC), rushing for 123 yards and two scores on 19 carries.

Unfortunately quarterback Mike Kokal did not have the same success, as the signal caller was just 14-of-24 for 118 yards, while also tossed two interceptions.

As for the Cardinals (0-1, 0-1), they were led by quarterback Nate Davis. Davis only completed 19-of-36 passes, but finished the contest with 198 yards and one score. The touchdown went to Dante Love who caught eight balls for 80 yards.

After missing a field goal earlier in the first quarter, Ball State's Jake Hogue nailed a 20-yard attempt, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 edge with two minutes remaining in the opening frame.

The RedHawks were finally able to answer back midway through the second stanza, when Murphy broke free and found the end zone on a 21-yard scamper.

The rest of the half was a defensive battle as the RedHawks went into the break with a 7-3 lead.

In the third frame, the Cardinals put together an incredible 17 play, 92-yard drive, which resulted in a 22-yard field goal by Hogue, cutting the Cardinals deficit to 7-6.

Minutes into the final frame, Davis hit Love with a 23-yard scoring strike, which pushed Ball State ahead of the RedHawks, 13-7.

Miami-Ohio struggled moving the football all contest, but fortunately punt returner Eugene Harris returned a kick 56 yards, placing the RedHawks on Ball State's 23 yard line with less than two minutes remaining.

The return set up the eventual touchdown by Murphy in the final seconds.

However, Murphy's touchdown only evened the score at 13 apiece, as the RedHawks still needed kicker Trevor Cook to connect on the extra point. Cook missed two field goals earlier in the matchup, but fortunately he was successful on the one point try, giving Miami-Ohio the win.

The Cardinals recorded 338 total yards in the game, while Miami-Ohio only collected 296 yards. However, the RedHawks accumulated 161 return yards, while Ball State put together just 56 total return yards.