OXFORD, Ohio (Oct. 14, 2000)--Propelled by 17 fourth-quarter points, Miami overcame 7-0 and 10-7 deficits to defeat Bowling Green 24-10 Saturday afternoon at Yager Stadium. The victory halted the RedHawks' two-game losing skid--their longest in three years.

Senior quarterback Mike Bath passed for 210 yards and ran for a pair of second-half touchdowns to help lead the comeback. Junior tailback Steve Little also sparked the second-half revival, running for 127 of his career-high 149 yards in the final 30 minutes. His 51-yard touchdown run with 1:19 to play helped seal the win.

At halftime, Miami trailed 7-0 and was limited to -17 yards rushing.

"I told our guys to just go out and have some fun," said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. "I think we've been trying too hard and not relaxing lately. It was great to see all phases of our game come to life today."

Whether or not it had an impact on the contest, the game changed when Miami went to its hurry-up offense late in the third quarter. In the "attack" mode, the RedHawks scored on four of their last five drives.

"The offense finally got on track," said Hoeppner. "We went to an attack offense and that changed the momentum. I talked to Mike (Bath) at halftime and he said he felt comfortable in the hurry-up or attack offense."

Bath tied the game with 2:37 left in the third quarter when he rambled 27 yards on a quarterback draw.

"Coach thought it was a good time to run the quarterback draw," said Bath. "It was a great call. Andy Dooley gave me a great block."

Following a key goal-line stand by Miami's defense and a 19-yard field goal by BG's Chris Knapp, Miami gained its first lead of the game on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Bath. After a stop by the Miami defense, the RedHawks moved ahead 17-10 on Andy Brumbergs' 23-yard field goal.

The two rushing touchdowns were a career high for Bath, who also completed 23-of-41 for 210 yards.

Andy Sahm completed 15-of-34 for 216 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown pass to Andre Pinchem in the first quarter. Sahm also threw a pair of interceptions. Freshman Josh Harris ran for 105 yards for the Falcons.

Miami improves to 4-3 overall, 2-1 in the MAC East and 3-2 MAC overall. Bowling Green drops to 1-6 and 1-3 MAC East and MAC overall.

The RedHawks take next Saturday off before returning to action Saturday, Oct. 28 in the annual Victory Bell Game vs. Cincinnati. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at UC's Nippert Stadium.