Thursday, August 29
Buffalo, NY
7:00 pm
1-0 , 0-0
30
vs
13
Lafayette
0-1 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Lafayette
0
0
6
7
13
Buffalo
13
3
7
7
30
Photo by: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
Bulls Open Season with 30-13 Victory over Lafayette
8/30/2024 12:08:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – The Pete Lembo era of University at Buffalo football began on Thursday night with a 30-13 victory over Lafayette at UB Stadium. The Bulls jumped out to a 16-0 lead and never looked back, defeating a Leopard squad that is the preseason favorite to win the Patriot League.
Linebacker Shaun Dolac, back after missing the majority of last season with an injury, looked every bit the first-team All-MAC linebacker he was in 2022. He finished with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception, leading a defense that was dominant in the game.
The Bulls allowed only 43 yards of rushing to Lafayette and held preseason All-American Jamar Curtis to just 12 yards on 14 carries. Jalen McNair and Dolac both had interceptions in the game and edge Kobe Stewart had two of UB's three sacks on the night.
C.J. Ogbonna made his first career start for the Bulls at quarterback and looked comfortable running the offense. He threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Nik McMillan on a 31-yard touchdown and Taji Johnson on a 32-yard score. McMillan led the Bulls with five receptions for 76 yards in the game.
Al-Jay Henderson earned the start at running back and rushed for 37 yards and an 11-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Jacqez Barksdale was inserted in the lineup in the second half and was a real spark for the running game. He had 14 carries for 99 yard and a 19-yard touchdown to ice the game for the Bulls. The senior running back was a wrecking ball, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
Along with Dolac, fellow linebacker Red Murdock had a strong game with seven tackles and a tackle for loss. In total, the Bulls had 11 tackles for loss in the game with nine different Bulls registering at least one TFL.
The Bulls will next play at 11-ranked Missouri next Saturday.
Linebacker Shaun Dolac, back after missing the majority of last season with an injury, looked every bit the first-team All-MAC linebacker he was in 2022. He finished with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception, leading a defense that was dominant in the game.
The Bulls allowed only 43 yards of rushing to Lafayette and held preseason All-American Jamar Curtis to just 12 yards on 14 carries. Jalen McNair and Dolac both had interceptions in the game and edge Kobe Stewart had two of UB's three sacks on the night.
C.J. Ogbonna made his first career start for the Bulls at quarterback and looked comfortable running the offense. He threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Nik McMillan on a 31-yard touchdown and Taji Johnson on a 32-yard score. McMillan led the Bulls with five receptions for 76 yards in the game.
Al-Jay Henderson earned the start at running back and rushed for 37 yards and an 11-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Jacqez Barksdale was inserted in the lineup in the second half and was a real spark for the running game. He had 14 carries for 99 yard and a 19-yard touchdown to ice the game for the Bulls. The senior running back was a wrecking ball, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
Along with Dolac, fellow linebacker Red Murdock had a strong game with seven tackles and a tackle for loss. In total, the Bulls had 11 tackles for loss in the game with nine different Bulls registering at least one TFL.
The Bulls will next play at 11-ranked Missouri next Saturday.
Team Stats
LAF
BUF
Total Yards
223
403
Pass Yards
180
195
Rushing Yards
43
208
Penalty Yards
25
70
1st Downs
14
23
3rd Downs
5
5
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
28:47
31:13
1st Quarter
LAF 0, BUF 6
BUF - Henderson,Al-Jay 11 yd run (), 9 plays, 60 yards, TOP 02:59
LAF 0, BUF 13
BUF - McMillan,Nik 31 yd pass from Ogbonna,C.J. (Reed,Nick kick) 5 plays, 48 yards, TOP 02:04
2nd Quarter
LAF 0, BUF 16
BUF - Reed,Nick 22 yd field goal 8 plays, 49 yards, TOP 02:55
3rd Quarter
LAF 6, BUF 16
LAF - Holmes,Dallas 18 yd pass from Persing,Carson () 1 plays, 18 yards, TOP 00:06
LAF 6, BUF 23
BUF - Johnson,Taji 32 yd pass from Ogbonna,C.J. (Reed,Nick kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:23
4th Quarter
LAF 13, BUF 23
LAF - Carasia,Chris 13 yd pass from Denobile,Dean (Simonetta,Jack kick) 10 plays, 66 yards, TOP 04:02
LAF 13, BUF 30
BUF - Barksdale,Jacqez 19 yd run (Reed,Nick kick), 1 plays, 19 yards, TOP 00:06
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
14
TD
2
YDS
195
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
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LB
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RB
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WR
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WR
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NICK
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LB
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EDGE
/ FootballUB Football Postgame Press Conference (vs. Troy)
Saturday, September 20
Coach Pete Lembo on personnel flexibility and why Troy presents a serious challenge
Tuesday, September 16
Wide Receiver Nik McMillan on battling injuries and the growth he's seen in QB Ta'Quan Roberson
Tuesday, September 16
Linebacker Mitchell Gonser talks early success and why he chose Buffalo
Tuesday, September 16
