Last-minute field goal sends Northwestern to a 17-14 loss to Miami (Ohio), dropping the Wildcats to 1-3

Graham Nicholson kicked a tiebreaking 36-yard field goal with 21 seconds left, and Miami (Ohio) stunned Northwestern 17-14 on Saturday at Ryan Field in Evanston.

It was the first win for the RedHawks (2-2) against against a Big Ten team since it beat Northwestern 44-14 in 2003. Miami went 13-1 that year and was ranked No. 10 in the final AP poll with Ben Roethlisberger leading the way.

Nicholson had hit the upright on a previous field-goal attempt and had another blocked. His game-winner capped a 13-play, 58-yard drive.

It was Northwestern’s third straight loss and second shocking one at home after a 31-24 defeat to FCS Southern Illinois last week. The Wildcats fell to 1-3.

It was the teams’ first meeting since Northwestern’s 16-6 win in 2009.

Miami tied it at 14 with 7:23 left the fourth Saturday when quarterback Aveon Smith scored on a keeper. Keyon Mozee set up the touchdown after he broke free for a 66-yard run and reached the Northwestern 1 before being forced out of bounds.

Mozee led all rushers with 171 yards.

Cam Porter had barreled into the end zone from 2-yard line just 1 minute, 11 seconds earlier to put Northwestern ahead 14-7. Porter, who finished with 42 yards on seven carries, twisted in to the end zone up the middle to cap a 12-play, 58-yard drive.

Northwestern’s Ryan Hilinski went 24-for-42 for 232 yards and ran in the Wildcats’ first touchdown in the first quarter.

Smith hit Mac Hippenhammer with a 12-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left in the first half. Smith was limited to just 57 yard on 7-of-19 passing, and the RedHawks gained 216 of their 273 total yards on the ground.

While Northwestern’s offense sputtered at times, Malik Washington led the Wildcats with eight catches for 81 yards.

Northwestern running back Evan Hull, who entered averaging 217 all-purpose yards, was held to 62 rushing yards and 10 on receptions.

The game was tied 7 at the half.

Northwestern had 188 total yards before halftime and had a chance to take charge. But the Wildcats, hurt by turnovers in their first three games, were burned again in the second quarter.

Hilinski punched into the end zone on a keeper from inside the 1 with 3:36 left in the first to put Northwestern up 6-0. It capped a 58-yard 10-play drive keyed by Hilinski’s 23-yard pass to Marshall Lang.

The Wildcats were marching for a second score, but Washington fumbled at the Miami 24 1:05 into the second. Smith and the RedHawks put together a 14-play 55-yard drive that ate up 7:19 — and were hindered by two offensive penalties.

Then Nicholson’s 38-yard field-goal attempt bounced off the right upright, keeping Miami off the scoreboard.

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The Wildcats weren’t so lucky after Miami’s Caiden Woullard blocked Luke Akers’ punt attempt from the their 35 with 1:20 left in the half. Chris Cavalaris recovered and took the ball to the 8.

Two plays later, Smith hit Hippenhammer with a pass to tie it.

Miami: The RedHawks open MAC play at Buffalo on Saturday.

Northwestern: The Wildcats visit No. 14 Penn State on Saturday as they return to Big Ten action.