DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — If the Miami University football team does make it to the Mid-American Conference Championship Game — and now the RedHawks are just one step away — they'll owe a debt of gratitude to their defense.

Senior defensive end Craig Mester returned a fumble for a touchdown with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter to lead the RedHawks to a 7-0 victory over the Akron Zips on Wednesday night at Yager Stadium in a nationally televised game devoid of any meaningful offense.

The victory gives the RedHawks (6-5, 4-1 MAC East) an opportunity to clinch a share of the division title and earn a date with Central Michigan on Dec. 1 in the MAC title contest in Detroit. All they need is a win at Ohio on Nov. 24, or a Bowling Green win at Buffalo on Saturday.

The RedHawks broke a scoreless deadlock on the 24th possession of the game, an Akron possession. Carlton Jackson, who had just replaced Chris Jacquemin at quarterback for the Zips (4-7, 2-4), was hit deep in his own territory by Miami junior linebacker Clayton Mullins.

The ball squirted into the air and was caught at the Akron 7 by Mester, who happily took the ball untouched into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown. The game was scoreless at halftime, a result of strong defense on both sides and a hapless red-zone showing by the RedHawks.

Actually, Miami didn't get past midfield in the first half until quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh completed a 17-yard pass to tight end Jake O'Connell to the Akron 40 with 6:16 left in the second quarter. Two plays later, Raudabaugh was intercepted by Zips defensive back John Mackey.

The RedHawks' next possession was more frustrating. A 29-yard pass from Raudabaugh to Chris Givens was fumbled and recovered by Akron's Davanzo Tate. The fumble was reversed upon review, but it didn't matter. Three plays later, Mackey intercepted his second Raudabaugh pass.