A fourth quarter touchdown with 7:52 remaining in the game by Eastern Michigan's Chris Talley proved to be the deciding factor in the University at Buffalo's first MAC football game of the 2004 season, as EMU narrowly defeated UB 37-34 in what otherwise was a very even game between two comparable, though much improved football teams.
"This is a very disappointing result-not discouraging," said UB head coach Jim Hofher. "You win together and you go down together...our guys fought valiantly and not only got back in the game, but got the lead."
"You're never satisfied after a loss and you just have to go back and keep fighting and hopefully the outcome will be different," added tailback Steven King, who tallied 37 yards on 12 carries.
What appeared to be a sweet start to a brand new season for the Bulls quickly turned sour in the first quarter when EMU free safety Jerry Gaines recovered a King fumble and ran for 82 yards to score the first touchdown of the game with 13:07 remaining in the first quarter.
However, minutes later Buffalo's Phil Jaques would answer with a 19 yard fumble recovery of his own to score UB's first touchdown of the game.
A Michael Baker extra point evened the score at seven but the Bulls could only hold on so long, giving up a seven yard touchdown run by EMU star tailback Anthony Sherrell.
10 completed passes by UB starting quarterback Randall Secky and the athletic play of tailback Chris McDuffie sparked second quarter touchdowns by King and tightend Brian Miller that momentarily gave the Bulls an edge, but proved to be too little as the Eagles fought back.
With time winding down in the second half, EMU's Adam Jacobs made the score 24-21 with an eight yard touchdown pass from Matt Bohnet and Andrew Wellock booted a lengthily 49 yard fieldgoal to solidify what could pass as an entire games worth of scoring in the first 30 minutes of action and a 27-21 Eastern Michigan lead going into halftime.
A quick field goal by EMU to commence the third quarter would add to the Eagles' lead until Jared Patterson ran for a touchdown, drawing the Bulls to within two points at 30-28 with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter.
Following a quick fumble recovery, Secky then found tailback King in the end zone for his second touchdown of the game to give the Bulls a 34-30 lead that would stand after a failed two point conversion play.
"It came down to the end and we came up short," said Secky. "Turnovers hurt."
Secky had a positive night for the Bulls , much improved from a year ago, completing 18-41 passes, good for 176 yards on the night.
Dave Dawson was another bright spot for UB, gaining a team best 106 yards on 10 carries.
The Bulls return to action on Sat. 9/11 when they play host to Syracuse University in the 2004 season home opener.
