Saturday, October 2
Buffalo, NY
12:00 pm
2-3 , 0-1
17
vs
24
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Western Michigan
4-1 , 1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Western Mich.
7
0
0
17
24
Buffalo
7
0
3
7
17
Bulls Drop MAC Opener to Western Michigan, 24-17
10/2/2021 5:07:00 PM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo football team allowed 17-straight points in the fourth quarter to drop their Mid-American opener, 24-17, to Western Michigan at UB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The loss spoiled a great defensive gameplan by the Bulls who held the Broncos' high-octane offense in check for most of the game.
Western Michigan scored first to take a 7-0 lead with 1:40 left in the first quarter. The Bulls quickly responded when, on the second play of their ensuing possession, Ron Cook, Jr. ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run to tie the game, 7-7.
From there, it turned into a defensive battle as neither team would score for the remainder of the half. The Broncos threatened late in the half, but a goal-line stand by the Bulls, capped by a fourth-down sack by George Wolo kept the game tied.
The Bulls broke the tie on their first drive of the second half when they drove 62 yards on 13 plays to set up a 37-yard Alex McNulty field goal. UB held the three-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
Western Michigan tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a field goal of its own and then, after a UB three-and-out, quickly struck again on a 64-yard touchdown pass to take a 17-10 lead with 9:34 left in the game.
After another fourth-quarter score by the Broncos, the Bulls drove the length of the field and got one back on a Kyle Vantrease 1-yard quarterback keeper to cut the lead to 24-17 with 1:17 left. However, UB was unable to recover the onside kick allowing Western Michigan to hold on for the victory.
It was another strong game for Bulls' wide receiver Quian Williams. The grad transfer finished with six catches for 119 yards – his second straight 100-yard performance.
Linebacker James Patterson led the defense with a career-high 14 tackles. Safeties Marcus Fuqua and Cory Gross, Jr. each tied career highs with 10 tackles apiece. It was the second straight game they had double-digit tackles.
With his field goal and two extra points, McNulty moved into fourth place in school history in scoring by a kicker with 149 points.
The Bulls will next play at Kent State next Saturday night.
Western Michigan scored first to take a 7-0 lead with 1:40 left in the first quarter. The Bulls quickly responded when, on the second play of their ensuing possession, Ron Cook, Jr. ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run to tie the game, 7-7.
From there, it turned into a defensive battle as neither team would score for the remainder of the half. The Broncos threatened late in the half, but a goal-line stand by the Bulls, capped by a fourth-down sack by George Wolo kept the game tied.
The Bulls broke the tie on their first drive of the second half when they drove 62 yards on 13 plays to set up a 37-yard Alex McNulty field goal. UB held the three-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
Western Michigan tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a field goal of its own and then, after a UB three-and-out, quickly struck again on a 64-yard touchdown pass to take a 17-10 lead with 9:34 left in the game.
After another fourth-quarter score by the Broncos, the Bulls drove the length of the field and got one back on a Kyle Vantrease 1-yard quarterback keeper to cut the lead to 24-17 with 1:17 left. However, UB was unable to recover the onside kick allowing Western Michigan to hold on for the victory.
It was another strong game for Bulls' wide receiver Quian Williams. The grad transfer finished with six catches for 119 yards – his second straight 100-yard performance.
Linebacker James Patterson led the defense with a career-high 14 tackles. Safeties Marcus Fuqua and Cory Gross, Jr. each tied career highs with 10 tackles apiece. It was the second straight game they had double-digit tackles.
With his field goal and two extra points, McNulty moved into fourth place in school history in scoring by a kicker with 149 points.
The Bulls will next play at Kent State next Saturday night.
Team Stats
WMU
BUF
Total Yards
457
282
Pass Yards
279
151
Rushing Yards
178
131
Penalty Yards
35
48
1st Downs
29
15
3rd Downs
6
4
4th Downs
3
0
TOP
40:06
13:21
1st Quarter
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WMU 7, BUF 0
WMU - Moore,Skyy 12 yd pass from Eleby,Kaleb (Sampson,Parker kick) 16 plays, 95 yards, TOP 08:20
WMU 7, BUF 7
BUF - Cook,Ron 55 yd run (McNulty,Alex kick), 2 plays, 65 yards, TOP 00:28
3rd Quarter
WMU 7, BUF 10
BUF - McNulty,Alex 37 yd field goal 13 plays, 62 yards, TOP 00:00
4th Quarter
WMU 10, BUF 10
WMU - Mihalic,Nick 26 yd field goal 13 plays, 67 yards, TOP 05:06
WMU 17, BUF 10
WMU - Moore,Skyy 64 yd pass from Eleby,Kaleb (Mihalic,Nick kick) 1 plays, 79 yards, TOP 00:18
WMU 24, BUF 10
WMU - Jefferson,La'Darius 1 yd run (Mihalic,Nick kick), 11 plays, 66 yards, TOP 05:49
WMU 24, BUF 17
BUF - Vantrease,Kyle 1 yd run (McNulty,Alex kick), 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 01:13
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
12
TD
0
YDS
151
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
S
/ Football
S
/ Football
K
/ Football
LB
/ FootballQB
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WR
/ Football
DT
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