Miami (OH) made FBS history on the final Tuesday night of MAC play, becoming the first team to finish 6-6 after an 0-6 start to the season.
The Redhawks trailed 17-7 at halftime but opened things up in the second half with a 74-yard Rokeem Williams touchdown and eventually prevailed 21-20 at home over Ball State.
Starting out the 2nd half with an amazing 74 yard score! #RiseUpRedHawks!!
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 23, 2016
📺 Watch it live on ESPN3: https://t.co/Xw2pjuly0vpic.twitter.com/kOfNBT5JKG
Williams finished the night with six catches for 145 yards and two scores.
After starting 0-6, redshirt sophomore Gus Ragland took over as Miami's starting quarterback. Less than a year after tearing his ACL, Ragland threw for 380 yards in Tuesday's win and improved to 6-0 as a starter in 2016.
Miami's historic turnaround has been powered by an improved rushing attack with Ragland at quarterback and much-improved play on defense. The turnover margin went from -5 in the first six games to +8 in the final six games.
Not only that, the dramatic swing came right as conference play hit, making the RedHawks a MAC title contender until Ohio held off Akron 9-3 on Tuesday to clinch a spot in the championship game representing the MAC East.
After the game, there was much rejoicing in the locker room.
LOVE AND HONOR! #RiseUpRedHawks#GraduatingChampionshttps://t.co/egEdT17KGA
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 23, 2016
Elsewhere, Eastern Michigan also made some school history by beating Central Michigan to become 7-5 for the first time since 1989. The loss also knocks the Chippewas down to 6-6 overall, though they are bowl eligible thanks to that controversial win against Oklahoma State in September.