Filed under: Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee State, Sun Belt, MAC, Bowl Games
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- Austin Boucher threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns in his fourth career start and Miami of Ohio capped a historic turnaround season with a 35-21 win Thursday night over Middle Tennessee in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.The RedHawks (10-4) are the first team in Football Bowl Subdivision history to win 10 games one season after losing 10. Miami finished a dismal 1-11 in 2009, but recovered to win the Mid-American Conference title and finish this season on a six-game winning streak.
MTSU (6-7) won three games in a row to become bowl eligible, but was hurt by five turnovers.
Miami's Dayonne Nunley was responsible for two of them, recovering a fumble and returning an interception 52 yards for a touchdown. Thomas Merriweather rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
MTSU's Dwight Dasher threw four interceptions - all in the second half.
It was a sweet ending for the RedHawks, especially considering there was plenty of adversity along the way. Miami played its first bowl since 2004 without coach Mike Haywood, who accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh in December. Haywood has since been fired from Pitt after being arrested on a felony domestic violence charge. On Monday, a magistrate entered a not guilty plea for Haywood on the felony charge.
Lance Guidry, Miami's defensive backs coach the past two seasons, served as interim head coach.
GoDaddy.com Bowl: Full Box Score
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