Turnovers Costly in MAC-Opening Loss at Miami (OH)

Saturday, September 28

Oxford, OH

12 pm

2-3 , 0-1

Miami (OH)

2-3 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Buffalo

Miami

Turnovers Costly in MAC-Opening Loss at Miami (OH)

9/28/2019 5:18:00 PM | Football

Box Score

OXFORD, OH – One week after capitalizing on turnovers to defeat Temple, the tables were turned on the University at Buffalo football team as four turnovers were too much to overcome in a 34-20 loss to Miami (OH) at Yager Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It was the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools.

The loss spoiled an impressive rushing day for the Bulls as they piled up a season-high 309 yards on the ground. Jaret Patterson rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown and Kevin Marks added 101 yards and a score.

Buffalo got on the board first when it took its second possession of the game, drove 61 yards on only three plays and scored a touchdown on a beautiful 20-yard touch pass from Matt Myers to Antonio Nunn to take a 7-0 lead.

After Miami answered with a 53-yard field goal, the Bulls struck again early in the second quarter when Patterson ripped off a career-long 82-yard touchdown run to put the Bulls ahead 14-3. It was the longest touchdown run by a UB player since James Starks had a 91-yard TD run at Miami (OH) in 2007.

After Miami scored to cut the Buffalo lead to 14-10, Buffalo committed its first costly turnover. Late in the first half, Miami forced and recovered a fumble at the UB three-yard line. The UB defense stiffened and held the RedHawks to a field goal and the Bulls led 14-13 at the half.

The game turned early in the second half when Miami's Mike Brown intercepted a UB pass and returned it for a touchdown to give the home team its first lead of the game, 20-14. It was the first of three third-quarter touchdowns for the RedHawks.

Trailing, 34-14, early in the fourth quarter, Marks hit pay dirt from 39 yards out to cut the Miami lead to 34-20. However, the Bulls would get no closer and dropped their third straight road game.

Besides turnovers, field position played a huge factor in the game. Miami started seven drives on Buffalo's side of the field.

"I can't fault the defensive effort," head coach Lance Leipold said. "There are plenty of things in all three areas that we have to be better at. Do I think our defense had a solid effort today? Yes, for as many times as they played on short fields."

The defense was led by Tim Terry, Jr. who had a career-high 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss. Joey Banks and Matt Otwinowski added eight and seven tackles, respectively.

The Bulls outgained the RedHawks, 398-265, in total offense, including over twice as many rushing yards.

The Bulls will return home next Saturday for a homecoming matchup against Ohio.