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Vantrease and Onwuka Honored by Mid-American Conference
11/4/2019 12:16:00 PM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – Following Buffalo's 43-14 win at Eastern Michigan on Saturday, a pair of Bulls were honored by the Mid-American Conference for their performances. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease was named the MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week and defensive tackle Chibueze Onwuka was named the MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced.
Vantrease threw for a career-high 208 yards and a touchdown and scored two other times on the ground to help lead Buffalo to its first ever win at Rynearson Stadium. Vantrease completed 15-of-23 passes on the day, including 13-of-18 for 185 yards in the first half to help the Bulls build a 29-7 lead at the break. With the Bulls leading 9-7 in the second quarter, Vantrease scored on a 16-yard run to extend the UB lead to 16-7. On UB's next possession, the Ohio native scored on a one-yard run to put the Bulls ahead 22-7. With just nine seconds left in the half, he found Antonio Nunn for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Onwuka had a team-high five tackles, a sack and a safety at Eastern Michigan on Saturday. The junior defensive tackle anchored a defensive line that only allowed 25 rushing yards and not a single rushing first down on the day. With the Bulls trailing, 7-0, Onwuka, along with Tyrece Woods, Jr. sacked Eastern Michigan quarterback Mike Glass in the endzone for a safety. It was UB's first safety since the 2015 season and sparked 43 straight points for the Bulls.
It marked the first time either Vantrease or Onwuka have won the award.
It is the sixth week and fourth straight week a UB player has been named MAC East Player of the Week. Safety Joey Banks has won the award three times, following the Penn State, Temple and Central Michigan games. Taylor Riggins was honored following the Ohio game and Ledarius Mack took home the award after the Akron game.
The 5-3 Bulls will next play at Kent State on November 14.
Vantrease threw for a career-high 208 yards and a touchdown and scored two other times on the ground to help lead Buffalo to its first ever win at Rynearson Stadium. Vantrease completed 15-of-23 passes on the day, including 13-of-18 for 185 yards in the first half to help the Bulls build a 29-7 lead at the break. With the Bulls leading 9-7 in the second quarter, Vantrease scored on a 16-yard run to extend the UB lead to 16-7. On UB's next possession, the Ohio native scored on a one-yard run to put the Bulls ahead 22-7. With just nine seconds left in the half, he found Antonio Nunn for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Onwuka had a team-high five tackles, a sack and a safety at Eastern Michigan on Saturday. The junior defensive tackle anchored a defensive line that only allowed 25 rushing yards and not a single rushing first down on the day. With the Bulls trailing, 7-0, Onwuka, along with Tyrece Woods, Jr. sacked Eastern Michigan quarterback Mike Glass in the endzone for a safety. It was UB's first safety since the 2015 season and sparked 43 straight points for the Bulls.
It marked the first time either Vantrease or Onwuka have won the award.
It is the sixth week and fourth straight week a UB player has been named MAC East Player of the Week. Safety Joey Banks has won the award three times, following the Penn State, Temple and Central Michigan games. Taylor Riggins was honored following the Ohio game and Ledarius Mack took home the award after the Akron game.
The 5-3 Bulls will next play at Kent State on November 14.
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