5-4 , 3-2
Akron
2-7 , 1-4
Bulls Hold off Akron, 41-30
11/2/2024 5:37:00 PM | Football
The defense set the tone early, forcing three first-quarter turnovers. It ignited an offense that scored on four straight possessions to take a 24-7 lead.
J.J. Jenkins started the scoring with an incredible one-handed touchdown reception from C.J. Ogbonna to tie the game, 7-7. On the very first play of Akron's ensuing possession, the Bulls forced and recovered a fumble to quickly regain possession. Jacqez Barksdale capitalized with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Bulls a 14-7 lead.
Ogbonna found Jake Orlando for a 2-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter to give the Bulls a 24-7 lead. The Bulls kept the 17-point lead at the half.
The Bulls got the ball to start the second half and marched right down the field and scored on a 45-yard touchdown run by Al-Jay Henderson. Ogbonna called his own number late in the third quarter and scored on a seven-yard scamper to give UB a 38-7 lead.
Akron made a furious comeback and was able to cut the UB lead to 38-30 with 4:39 to play. The Zips forced a UB punt in the closing minutes, but the return was muffed and freshman John Keough pounced on the ball to give it back to the Bulls. Upton Bellenfant iced the game with a 36-yard field goal, his second of the game.
Ogbonna paced the offense with 210 yards passing and two touchdowns and a season-best 63 yards rushing and another scored. Henderson had his second 100-yard rushing performance of the year with 107 yards and a score.
Jenkins led the receivers with five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Snow had three catches for 49 yards.
Defensively, the Bulls were led by Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock who had 12 and 11 tackles, respectively. Kobe Stewart had another strong performance for the Bulls, finishing with five tackles, 2.5 tackles or loss and 1.5 sacks.
The Bulls are back in action on Nov. 12 when they host Ball State at UB Stadium.
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Team Stats
UB 0, UA 7
UA - Granger,Ahmarian 29 yd pass from Finley,Ben (Smith,Garrison kick) 5 plays, 71 yards, TOP 01:44
UB 7, UA 7
UB - Jenkins,JJ 18 yd pass from Ogbonna,C.J. (Bellenfant,Upton kick) 2 plays, 62 yards, TOP 00:39
UB 14, UA 7
UB - Barksdale,Jacqez 1 yd run (Bellenfant,Upton kick), 7 plays, 23 yards, TOP 02:58
UB 17, UA 7
UB - Bellenfant,Upton 33 yd field goal 9 plays, 29 yards, TOP 03:42
UB 24, UA 7
UB - Orlando,Jake 2 yd pass from Ogbonna,C.J. (Bellenfant,Upton kick) 11 plays, 88 yards, TOP 04:17
UB 31, UA 7
UB - Henderson,Al-Jay 45 yd run (Bellenfant,Upton kick), 6 plays, 77 yards, TOP 01:48
UB 38, UA 7
UB - Ogbonna,C.J. 8 yd run (Bellenfant,Upton kick), 4 plays, 44 yards, TOP 01:57
UB 38, UA 15
UA - Norton,Adrian 28 yd pass from Finley,Ben (Norton,Adrian pass) 8 plays, 88 yards, TOP 02:32
UB 38, UA 22
UA - Norton,Adrian 25 yd pass from Finley,Ben (Smith,Garrison kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:07
UB 38, UA 30
UA - Mason,Kyan 28 yd pass from Finley,Ben (Bullock,Tahj rush) 8 plays, 72 yards, TOP 02:32
UB 41, UA 30
UB - Bellenfant,Upton 36 yd field goal 4 plays, 4 yards, TOP 00:21
