WILBERFORCE, Ohio -- After three tough losses to open the season, Miles knew it had to refocus in order to be ready for the start of conference play Saturday against Central State.

Using a strong running game, a stout defensive effort, and taking advantage of numerous CSU mishaps, the Golden Bears (1-3, 1-0 SIAC West) were able to get into the win column for the first time under head coach Sam Shade with a 34-14 win on Saturday over the Marauders (1-3, 0-1) at McPherson Memorial Stadium. Zarious Keyes ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns, starting quarterback Jacob Keller threw for two more scores, and the defense registered eight sacks and forced five fumbles (recovering three), returning one to the house for the final score.

Miles trailed 7-0 before the mistakes started to pile up for CSU. Two third-down penalties extended a drive for Miles that culminated in a 2-yard touchdown run for Keyes that tied the game. After forcing a punt on the ensuing drive, a bad snap gave Miles excellent field position. On the second play of the second quarter, Keller found Tahj Lee in the end zone for a 1-yard scoring pass to give Miles its first lead of the season, 14-7.

On the next series, Miles forced another punt and - again - CSU had a bad snap and the Golden Bears had more great field position. Two personal foul penalties by the Marauders set Miles up with first-and-goal at the CSU 7. On the next play, Keller connected with Marcus Lodge for a touchdown. It gave the Golden Bears a 21-7 lead, which they took into the half.

When Miles got its first shot at the ball in the third quarter, it looked similar to the first half. Three big CSU penalties led to automatic first downs and Keyes continued to pound the rock. He carried the ball eight times for 55 yards on the drive, culminating in a 1-yard scoring run for a 27-7 advantage. The Golden Bears looked to be on cruise control, having knocked Marauders quarterback Brandon Kyles out of the game with a defensive front that created consistent pressure and constant punishment. The running game also didn't offer much for CSU as Miles racked up 12 tackles for loss and held the Marauders to minus-2 yards rushing.

But there was a faint opportunity for CSU to claw back into the contest. Jacob Millhouse, who came on in place of Keller in the second half, threw an interception that was returned 68 yards for a tochdown by Jalol Lenore with 1:37 left in the third quarter. But the Miles defense continued its assault on CSU's backup quarterback Kendall Boney. With 6:50 left in the game, JaMichael Rogers (two sacks) forced the ball loose from Boney and defensive lineman Roosevelt Thompson scooped up the ball and rumbled 30 yards for the score that created the final margin.

William Hardy had a team-high 11 tackles and a forced fumble, Roc Dowdell had six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble, and Ka'Darrion Jones added four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks for Miles, which travels to Albany State next week. Kickoff for the Saturday contest is scheduled for 1 p.m.