One very big victory has kept Miami University’s football goals within reach.

“Winning has a way of doing that,” RedHawks coach Don Treadwell said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “We just look at it in terms of staying focused. We’ve pretty much stayed the course philosophically and how we practice with our kids week to week, and we’ve responded very well.”

The 23-20 toppling of 23rd-ranked Ohio last Saturday was a significant reversal of fortune for MU, which moved to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference East Division.

The RedHawks need two more wins to become bowl eligible and are now among three one-loss teams trailing Kent State (4-0) in the East.

Will Miami use the OU triumph as a springboard for the rest of the season, which begins Saturday at Buffalo (1-7, 0-4)?

“That one I think the jury is still out on because you have to come back and demonstrate that each week,” Treadwell said. “Is it a big positive? Absolutely.”

He felt the RedHawks seized the early momentum against the Bobcats by starting with three point-producing (two field goals and a touchdown) drives.

“We typically talk about starting fast, but we were actually able to put that together with the offense, defense and special teams,” Treadwell said. “The second half boiled down to a defensive match, and I think our defense really stood strong to the occasion.”

End Wes Williams sacked Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton on the final play of the game, and Williams did some work on the inside as part of a defensive tweak. Treadwell also had special praise for end Jason Semmes (seven total tackles, two sacks).

The MU coach said the crowd of 19,326 was a factor in the outcome, and he’s hopeful that will be the case Nov. 10 against Kent State and Nov. 23 against Ball State.

“The student section was really on fire,” Treadwell said. “I want to make sure I acknowledge how much we appreciate that.”

Defensive tackle Mike Johns suffered a leg injury in the second quarter and is doubtful for the Buffalo game, according to Treadwell. Fellow D-tackle Austin Brown (back) is also doubtful and hasn’t played since Week 2. Freshmen Wesley Scott and David DeLeon will see more action in the interior line.

Miami quarterback Zac Dysert became the school’s all-time leader in total offense against the Bobcats. He has 11,337 yards (10,755 passing, 582 rushing) and moved past Ben Roethlisberger’s 11,075 (10,829 passing, 246 rushing).

Barring injury, Dysert should also supplant Roethlisberger as MU’s No. 1 passer this weekend.

“To Zac, I think that would just be icing on the cake,” Treadwell said. “I would be surprised if he even knew that unless someone has told him.”