DaytonDailyNews.com

MUNCIE, Ind. — The Miami RedHawks learned a lot about themselves in Thursday night's season opener at Ball State University's Scheumann Stadium.

The RedHawks learned how to overcome adversity and a late deficit, and they learned that it's OK to rely on their defense.

But more than anything, they learned this: When in doubt, give the football to Brandon Murphy.

The senior tailback, who missed much of last season with an injured ankle, scored on a 6-yard touchdown run with 17.7 seconds remaining to give the RedHawks a dramatic 14-13 victory over the Cardinals.

"We needed a win like that," Miami coach Shane Montgomery said. "I was very proud of the way we hung in there."

"The thing we — myself and the offensive line — decided to do was to put the game on our backs in the fourth quarter and to make plays," said Murphy, who finished with 123 yards on 19 carries.

Murphy scored both Miami touchdowns, the second of which was set up by Eugene Harris' 56-yard punt return with 1:53 remaining after the RedHawks had been stopped at the Ball State 9-yard line on their previous possession on a B.J. Hill interception in the end zone.

Murphy handled the ball four times during Miami's final five-play drive, which began at the Cardinals' 23-yard line. He ran for 7 yards, he ran for 9 yards, he was stopped for no gain, a Mike Kokal pass was incomplete and then the RedHawks went back to Murphy.

The Miami running back took the ball up the middle, bearing slightly to the left, and then swerved quickly to the right and sliced into the end zone. Trevor Cook, who had missed a pair of early field goals, converted the extra point to give Miami the final edge.

"It helped getting a huge punt return like that," Montgomery said. "That gives us a chance ... Instead of trying to force the ball in there on third down, we decided to run it. And by running the ball at the end, eating up the clock, it didn't leave them much time."

The Cardinals had taken a 3-0 lead on a 20-yard field goal by Jake Hogue late in the first half. But Murphy, whose 59-yard romp up the middle in the first quarter had gone for naught thanks to Cook's first misfire, broke through the middle again with 8:23 left in the half, resulting in a 21-yard touchdown run and a 7-3 Miami lead.

A 19-yard punt return by Ball State's Hill and a late hit by Miami gave the Cardinals a chance to take the halftime lead. They got to the Miami 4, but the RedHawks took over on downs following a badly overthrown fourth-down pass by quarterback Nate Davis.

Ball State was stymied again late in the third quarter, settling for a 22-yard field goal by Hogue after having second down and 1 yard to go at the RedHawks' 2-yard line. Miami linebacker Caleb Bostic was in on two straight tackles, which pushed the ball back to the 5, resulting in the field goal.

The Cardinals regained the lead 13-7 with 11:22 left in the game when Davis connected with Dante Love on a 23-yard touchdown pass.