UMass took a 20-17 lead with 40 seconds left when Jacob Lurie kicked a 23-yard field goal. The RedHawks then went from their 25 to the UMass 29 on five completions and a keeper by Brett Gabbert to set up Dzioban.
The Minutemen then ruined their overtime possession, nullifying a first down with an illegal formation and on the next play losing a touchdown pass because of an illegal man downfield. That put the ball on the 26 and after a completion Lurie pushed a 44-yard field goal attempt wide.
Miami didn’t gain any ground in the overtime but Dzioban’s line-drive kick just cleared the crossbar in a situation he calls “hero or zero.”
Gabbert was 16-of-25 passing for 181 yards and a touchdown but he also had a costly interception deep in the red zone for the RedHawks (1-3).
“We didn’t do a great job all game of executing,” Gabbert said. “I made a stupid decision, yet again in the red zone. I’ve got to change that.”
Keyon Mozee had 114 yards rushing on nine carries and a touchdown.
Miami also had a punt return touchdown erased by penalty.
Taisun Phommachanh threw for 173 yards and a touchdown and ran for 80 yards for the Minutemen (1-4).
Miami wore commemorative jerseys to honor Western College for Women, which had its final graduating class in 1974 before the schools merged. Jerseys said Western College on the front with a Miami patch.
The RedHawks open Mid-American Conference play next Saturday at Toledo.
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