Nick Harwell put up some big numbers Saturday afternoon. They earned a shrug from Miami University’s junior receiver.

Harwell caught 11 passes for 215 yards and a 68-yard touchdown from Zac Dysert in a 30-16 defeat at Central Michigan’s Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

“They pay us to go to school so we can make good plays,” Harwell said. “I guess you could say it was the play calling. I was just running my route to the best of my ability. He was putting the ball in good places.”

Dysert achieved the 19th 300-yard game of his career by throwing for 343 yards. Harwell set a school record with his 16th 100-yard receiving effort, and his 215 yards were just 14 short of his own single-game MU mark.

“We knew we’d be able to take some shots on them, and we were successful,” Dysert said. “I just threw the ball up and let Nick do the work for me like he always does.”

CMU coach Dan Enos wasn’t surprised by the Dysert-Harwell level of success.

“We knew going in that Dysert and Harwell are great players,” Enos said. “(Harwell) has been a great player for three years now. They do a good job of moving him around and getting him in space.”

Added Harwell, “We played a good team. They came out and played hard. We got some opportunities in the game that we should’ve had. It’s just a bummer that we couldn’t come out with a win.”

Defensive woes: Miami and Central Michigan both entered Saturday’s contest as defensive strugglers, and the RedHawks had a 434-386 advantage in yardage.

MU’s tackling was not stellar. It had players in position many times, only to miss a tackle or get dragged.

“Those things add up,” Miami coach Don Treadwell said. “We’re working through it. Obviously we’ve got a lot of injuries — we don’t make excuses for that. They’ve got good players too. I give more credit to Central because at the end of the day, we’re where we need to be on a lot of plays, offensively and defensively.”

The Chippewas limited the RedHawks to 74 yards on 36 carries. CMU came into the game giving up an average of 222.6 rushing yards.

Nunley injured: Miami cornerback Dayonne Nunley got hurt returning the opening kickoff of the second half and did not play again.

Treadwell was asked about the injury and replied, “It’s a possible leg. I’m not sure. I’ve got to see what the doctors say.”

The last game: The RedHawks will host surging Ball State in the season finale Friday afternoon at Yager Stadium. Dysert said it shouldn’t be difficult for the seniors to be motivated.

“As a senior, it’s your last game, so it means a lot to you,” he said. “It’ll be easy for the seniors to get up. It’ll be our job to get everybody else pumped up.”

Notebook: Brison Burris (14) and Jarrell Jones (8) topped Miami in total tackles against Central. Chris Wade and Pat Hinkel combined on a tackle for loss.

Luke Swift had a career-high six receptions for 48 yards, while Andy Cruse had five catches for 54 yards.

Jamire Westbrook was MU’s leading rusher with 41 yards on 12 carries. Spencer Treadwell ran five times for 20 yards and also completed a 17-yard pass to Harwell.