Bulls Dominate UConn in 41-12 Victory

Saturday, September 28

3:30 pm

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Connecticut

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UConn

Buffalo

Bulls Dominate UConn in 41-12 Victory

9/28/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo football team dominated the visiting Connecticut Huskies in every facet of the game in a 41-12 victory at a sun-drenched UB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. A second straight 20,000+ crowd witnessed the Bulls offense score a season-high 41 points and a UB defense force four turnovers.

"It's a program builder," head coach Jeff Quinn said of his team's win. "In all three phases it was a complete performance. I was really impressed with our front seven defensively to put pressure on their quarterback. Our kids fed off it, and without a doubt every single player on that field was ready to go out there and prove that they could beat a very good football team in UConn."

Today's win was just the second over a BCS automatic qualifying program in school history and the first since the Bulls defeated Rutgers in 2002.

The defense held the Huskies to 220 total yards and set the tone early when, on the third play of the game, Adam Redden stripped UConn quarterback Chandler Whitmer of the ball and recovered it himself at the Huskies' 8-yard line. Five plays later, Joe Licata found Mason Schreck in the endzone for a 5-yard touchdown pass and the Bulls quickly led 7-0. It was Schreck's first career touchdown.

After UConn answered with a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3, the defense struck again as Najja Johnson intercepted a pass and raced 33 yards to the endzone for his first career touchdown and the Bulls led 14-3 after the first quarter.

Licata hooked up with Alex Neutz on a 54-yard connection to set up the offense for another score. Branden Oliver capitalized when he plowed his way into the endzone on a 5-yard run to put the Bulls ahead, 21-6.

Up 21-6, it was time for the special teams to get in on the act. Colby Way blocked a UConn field goal attempt and Johnson scooped it up and returned it to the Connecticut 36-yard line. Six plays later, Licata connected with Neutz from 22 yards out to extend the UB lead to 28-6.

The Huskies got a touchdown late in the half to cut the UB advantage to 28-12 at the break.

Buffalo's defense completely dominated UConn in the second half, holding the Huskies to just 27 yards of total offense and two first downs.

UB kicker Patrick Clarke provided all of the scoring in the second half as he drilled a 49-yard field goal and a career-long 50-yard field goal on consecutive possessions to extend the Bulls lead to 34-12.

The cherry on top came when Licata hit Fred Lee in stride on a 36-yard passing play early in the fourth quarter to give the Bulls a 41-12 edge.

Redden followed up his standout performance against Stony Brook with another great game. The senior safety/linebacker had 2.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. As a team, the Bulls had nine tackles for loss and a season-high five sacks. Beau Bachtelle had one of the most productive games of his career with five tackles and two sacks. Khalil Mack had eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss in the game. Lee Skinner had a team high 10 tackles for the Bulls.

Along with Johnson, the Bulls also got interceptions from Cortney Lester and Nick Gilbo.

Oliver was back in the lineup for the Bulls and had 90 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. Licata finished 10-of-19 for 177 yards and a career-best three touchdowns. Lee was a Licata's favorite target as he finished with three catches for 51 yards.

One of UB's many unsung heroes on Saturday was Tyler Grassman. The Bulls' punter took over kickoff duties and drilled six touchbacks.

"I was very proud of the way those kids handled themselves," Quinn said. "Now what we have to do is learn from it, build, and continue to grow and get better. I think we're in a good place right now and our players are really excited about where they're at."

Buffalo will next host Eastern Michigan next Saturday at noon at UB Stadium.