1-0 , 1-0
Northern Illinois
0-1 , 0-1
Opportunistic Bulls Open Season with 49-30 win at Northern Illinois
11/5/2020 12:24:00 AM | Football
Early on, it looked like it was going to be an easy win as UB marched right down the field on its first possession and scored the game's first touchdown on a 5-yard run by Jaret Patterson less than three minutes into the game. A 17-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Vantrease to Antonio Nunn put the Bulls ahead, 14-3, after the first quarter.
Taking advantage of a short field, Northern Illinois was able to cut the lead to 14-10 early in the second quarter. However, Patterson struck again, this time on a 56-yard TD run, to put the Bulls up 21-10 with just over two minutes left in the half. The Huskies were able to score a touchdown late in the second quarter to cut the UB advantage to 21-16 at the break.
The UB defense was able to put the game away in the third quarter. First, linebacker Tim Terry scooped up a fumble by NIU quarterback Ross Bowers and dashed 46 yards for the score. On the Huskies' very next possession, James Patterson laid a big hit on NIU running back Erin Collins. He jarred the ball loose and it bounced right into the hands of Isaiah King who darted 42 yards for another UB touchdown. Suddenly, UB led 35-16 midway through the third quarter.
After Vantrease scored on a 4-yard run, less than two minutes later, to put the Bulls ahead, 42-16, Kadofi Wright cemented the victory with a 65-yard pick six early in the fourth quarter.
"It's always good to get a win on the road," head coach Lance Leipold said. "I thought we created some big plays when we needed them. The play of the defense in the third quarter really turned the tide for us. I'm really proud of them for making those plays."
The three defensive scores were the most by a UB team since having three defensive touchdowns at FAU in 2015.
It was a record-breaking night for Patterson who finished the game with 137 yards on 20 carries. His second touchdown of the game was the 35th rushing TD of his career, breaking the school record of 34 previously held by James Starks.
Antonio Nunn also had a big game for the Bulls, finishing with 102 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.
Malcolm Koonce led the defense with eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. James Patterson also had eight tackles and a forced fumble. Cory Gross, Jr. and Tyree Thompson each had seven tackles for the Bulls.
The 49 points scored by the Bulls were the most by a UB team in a MAC road game since joining the conference in 1999.
The Bulls will return home to host Miami (OH) on Tuesday at 8 pm.
Team Stats
UB 7, NIU 0
UB - PATTERSON, Jare 5 yd run (McNULTY, Alex kick), 3 plays, 55 yards, TOP 1:16
UB 7, NIU 3
NIU - Richardson, Joh 43 yd field goal 14 plays, 50 yards, TOP 7:50
UB 14, NIU 3
UB - NUNN, Antonio 17 yd pass from VANTREASE, Kyle (McNULTY, Alex kick) 7 plays, 61 yards, TOP 3:32
UB 14, NIU 10
NIU - COLLINS, Erin 6 yd run (Richardson, Joh kick), 4 plays, 37 yards, TOP 1:54
UB 21, NIU 10
UB - PATTERSON, Jare 56 yd run (McNULTY, Alex kick), 7 plays, 93 yards, TOP 3:29
UB 21, NIU 16
NIU - TUCKER, Cole 16 yd pass from BOWERS, Ross (BOWERS, Ross passfailed) 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:32
UB 28, NIU 16
UB - TERRY, Tim 46 yd fumble recovery (McNULTY, Alex kick)
UB 35, NIU 16
UB - KING, Isaiah 42 yd fumble recovery (McNULTY, Alex kick)
UB 42, NIU 16
UB - VANTREASE, Kyle 4 yd run (McNULTY, Alex kick), 4 plays, 67 yards, TOP 1:02
UB 49, NIU 16
UB - WRIGHT, Kadofi 65 yd interception (McNULTY, Alex kick)
UB 49, NIU 24
NIU - HAIDET, Andrew 1 yd run (GREGORY, Rondar rush), 15 plays, 65 yards, TOP 7:10
UB 49, NIU 30
NIU - THOMPSON, Rod 13 yd run (THOMPSON, Rod passfailed), 4 plays, 57 yards, TOP 1:55
