Zac Dysert and Andy Cruse have only faced Central Michigan once in their Miami University football careers.

It was a day they have not forgotten.

On Oct. 16, 2010, Dysert hit Cruse with a 71-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., giving the RedHawks a 27-20 victory. Today, the redshirt seniors will return to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to meet the Chippewas one last time.

“It was a big moment in my career,” said Cruse, who had eight catches for a career-best 179 yards. “At that time, it was a tremendous win because I felt like it was a turning point in our season.”

MU had dropped a 45-3 decision at Cincinnati the previous week. The RedHawks would lose to Ohio on Oct. 23, but won their last six games, including the GoDaddy.com Bowl, to finish 10-4.

“It was a nice day,” Dysert said of the last trip to CMU. “That’s why I remember it so well because everybody was like, ‘Central, it’s going to be freezing.’ It was like 65 and sunny. I think it was their homecoming too, so there was a lot of people there. So it was an exciting day.”

The touchdown strike wasn’t necessarily designed to be a bomb. Miami faced third-and-14 from its 29 with time running down.

“I remember the call — double seam snow,” Dysert said. “Cruse, if he could beat his guy, he’s got to go. If not, he’s supposed to break out toward the sideline. I stepped up in the pocket and looked over for him, and he’s not where he’s supposed to be. Then I look up and he’s 40 yards downfield because he’s wide open. I was like, ‘Oh my God, nobody’s back there.’ ”

“It’s one of those things where you read coverages,” Cruse said. “Usually I’m running like a comeback on the outside, but I popped open on the outside and I saw nobody down the sideline. So I just kept running.”

Dysert launched the ball. Cruse caught it and went untouched into the end zone. It was as simple as that.

“You’ve just got to put some air under it, let him go up and get it, and make it easy for him,” said Dysert, who was 29-of-47 for 399 yards and three TDs that day. “That’s what I tried to do. He did all the work for me.”

“It seemed like the ball was in the air forever,” Cruse said. “I remember for a second it got caught in the sun, but obviously I caught it. There was nobody near me. I wouldn’t say I’m too fast. I think they might have messed up a little bit.”

The Ohio natives — Dysert from Ada, Cruse from Cincinnati — said the 2012 RedHawks have remained positive, despite losing four of their last five games. If they can beat Central and Ball State next week, they will be bowl eligible.

Regardless, their collegiate careers will be over soon.

“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Dysert said. “I don’t know why. I’m sure it will soon. Right now, we’re just excited about the opportunity to go out and play another game.”

“To think that next Friday is my last game ever here, it’s crazy,” Cruse said. “This season has just gone by so fast. I feel like just yesterday I was a freshman here. But we’re excited about these last two games to see what we can do.”