
Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
Bulls Drop Heartbreaker to UConn, 20-17
9/27/2025 8:28:00 PM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – After the University at Buffalo football team scored a game-tying touchdown with 59 seconds left on the clock, Connecticut was able to kick a 44-yard field goal with just six seconds remaining to spoil the comeback effort of an undermanned UB squad and defeat the Bulls, 20-17, at UB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 17-10, Gunnar Gray, making his first career start at quarterback for the Bulls, marched the team 57 yards on nine plays and connected with Al-Jay Henderson on a five-yard swing pass, on fourth down, to tie the game.
Gray made his first career start for the Bulls in place of an injured Ta'Quan Roberson. Gray had a good command of the offense, finishing 17-of-29 for 125 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target was Victor Snow who had seven catches for 68 yards and a key 27-yard reception on the game-tying drive.
Gray led an offense that had its best day running the ball this season. The Bulls rushed for 204 yards, their most against an FBS opponent this year. Lamar Sperling led the way with a career-high 106 yards, including a career-long 63-yard touchdown in the second quarter to tie the game, 7-7.
UConn scored on its first drive of the second half to regain a seven-point advantage.
A 39-yard field goal by Jack Howes on UB's ensuing drive cut the deficit to 14-10. The Bulls pulled off a fake punt on the drive to keep the possession alive. While in punt formation, Malin White took a direct snap and rumbled up the middle for a first down.
UConn got a field goal of its own on its next possession to regain a seven-point edge before the Bulls tied the game late.
It was tremendous effort by the UB defense which held the Huskies well below their season average for yardage. Coming into the game, UConn was averaging nearly 500 yards of offense per game. The Bulls held the Huskies to just 320 yards on the day.
Red Murdock had a team-high nine tackles in the game and forced yet another fumble. The graduate linebacker now has 14 career forced fumbles, two shy of the NCAA record.
The Bulls are back in action next Saturday when they host Eastern Michigan at 3:30 pm at UB Stadium.
Click here for ticket information.
For all the latest on UB football, follow @UBFootball on Twitter/X, @bullsfb on Instagram and like the UB Football Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Trailing 17-10, Gunnar Gray, making his first career start at quarterback for the Bulls, marched the team 57 yards on nine plays and connected with Al-Jay Henderson on a five-yard swing pass, on fourth down, to tie the game.
Gray made his first career start for the Bulls in place of an injured Ta'Quan Roberson. Gray had a good command of the offense, finishing 17-of-29 for 125 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target was Victor Snow who had seven catches for 68 yards and a key 27-yard reception on the game-tying drive.
Gray led an offense that had its best day running the ball this season. The Bulls rushed for 204 yards, their most against an FBS opponent this year. Lamar Sperling led the way with a career-high 106 yards, including a career-long 63-yard touchdown in the second quarter to tie the game, 7-7.
UConn scored on its first drive of the second half to regain a seven-point advantage.
A 39-yard field goal by Jack Howes on UB's ensuing drive cut the deficit to 14-10. The Bulls pulled off a fake punt on the drive to keep the possession alive. While in punt formation, Malin White took a direct snap and rumbled up the middle for a first down.
UConn got a field goal of its own on its next possession to regain a seven-point edge before the Bulls tied the game late.
It was tremendous effort by the UB defense which held the Huskies well below their season average for yardage. Coming into the game, UConn was averaging nearly 500 yards of offense per game. The Bulls held the Huskies to just 320 yards on the day.
Red Murdock had a team-high nine tackles in the game and forced yet another fumble. The graduate linebacker now has 14 career forced fumbles, two shy of the NCAA record.
The Bulls are back in action next Saturday when they host Eastern Michigan at 3:30 pm at UB Stadium.
Click here for ticket information.
For all the latest on UB football, follow @UBFootball on Twitter/X, @bullsfb on Instagram and like the UB Football Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Team Stats
UCO
BUF
Total Yards
320
329
Pass Yards
155
125
Rushing Yards
165
204
Penalty Yards
0
25
1st Downs
17
17
3rd Downs
5
4
4th Downs
0
2
TOP
26:10
33:50
2nd Quarter

UCO 7, BUF 0
UCO - Bell,Skyler 25 yd pass from Fagnano,Joe (Freeman,Chris kick) 10 plays, 93 yards, TOP 05:12

UCO 7, BUF 7
BUF - Sperling,Lamar 63 yd run (Howes,Jack kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:15
3rd Quarter

UCO 14, BUF 7
UCO - Edwards,Cam 8 yd run (Freeman,Chris kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:36

UCO 14, BUF 10
BUF - Howes,Jack 39 yd field goal 12 plays, 54 yards, TOP 06:18

UCO 17, BUF 10
UCO - Freeman,Chris 39 yd field goal 9 plays, 49 yards, TOP 03:21
4th Quarter

UCO 17, BUF 17
BUF - Henderson,Al-Jay 5 yd pass from Gray,Gunnar (Howes,Jack kick) 9 plays, 57 yards, TOP 02:53

UCO 20, BUF 17
UCO - Freeman,Chris 44 yd field goal 10 plays, 49 yards, TOP 00:53
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
Coach Pete Lembo talks who could be under center and learning from last years matchup with UConn
Tuesday, September 23
Nickel Corner Jalen McNair on what happened in the loss to Troy and his new nickname
Tuesday, September 23
Kicker Jack Howes on dealing with weather conditions and if 90s are the cool numbers for kickers now
Tuesday, September 23
Coach Lembo Week 5 Press Conference (vs. UConn)
Tuesday, September 23