Miami’s Kobe Hilton blocked Ball State’s go-ahead field goal attempt by Jackson Courville with 1:04 to play as the RedHawks hung on for the win.
Miami moved to 10-2 and wrapped up Mid-American Conference East Division play at 7-1.
The RedHawks will face West Division champ Toledo in the MAC Championship game next Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit.
Miami rallied from an early 6-0 deficit to take a 7-6 on Aveon Smith’s 10-yard TD pass to Cade McDonald. A Raion Strader interception set up the score.
The RedHawks extended the lead to 14-6 on Rashad Amos’ 1-yard TD run in the second quarter. Courville, a freshman from Centerville, booted two field goals before halftime to make it 14-12.
A third-quarter interception by Miami’s Corbran Hondru set up Graham Nicholson’s 37-yard field goal late in the third to make it 17-12.
Courville hit a 29-yard field goal with 3:09 to play to make it 17-15.
Ball State (4-8, 3-5 MAC) then intercepted Smith at the Miami 16, but the defense held to set up Hilton’s heroics.
Ty Wise had 19 tackles to lead the Miami defense.
Smith passed for a season-high 170 yards.
SATURDAY’S GAME
Miami vs. Toledo, Noon, ESPN, 980, 1450
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