The UConn Huskies are clearly superior to the Buffalo Bulls.
At least, that's what everyone thought before tonight's game. At halftime, the Bulls are forcing people to think again.
Buffalo and UConn took the field on a gorgeous, 70-degree homecoming evening at UB Stadium. At the half, the Huskies lead, 10-3.
The first quarter was a quick, back-and-forth affair. Neither offense could get into rhythm; no flags were thrown. The teams appeared to be even as the opening quarter wound down.
That's when senior defensive end Gordon DuBois stepped it up. DuBois sacked quarterback Johnny McEntee for a loss of 8 yards, and then brought down running back Lyle McCombs for a loss of two.
The team rallied around DuBois' energy, and the Buffalo offense immediately marched down the field. But the Bulls still couldn't get on the board. Senior kicker Peter Fardon hooked a 30-yard field goal attempt wide left.
Momentum swung back in Buffalo's favor late in the first quarter as UConn attempted a field goal. Senior defensive end Steven Means burst through the offensive line and elevated, blocking the kick with his left hand. Buffalo took over possession, much to the delight of a packed UB Stadium.
The blocked kick was, interestingly enough, Buffalo's first since the 2009 International Bowl game against UConn.
The offenses traded punches in the second quarter, but it was the squads' defenses that continued to impress.
The Bulls had the ball for five and a half minutes minutes on a notable 13 play, 57-yard drive throughout the quarter. Fardon wouldn't disappoint this time, as he connected from 28 yards out.
The Huskies responded hastily, though, as they put together an impressive drive of their own that culminated in a 47-yard field goal by kicker David Teggart.
A 64-yard pass from McEntee to running back Nick Williams (UConn's longest pass play this season) put the Huskies in position to score again. McEntee completed a four-yard touchdown pass to running back Mark Hinkley to finish the drive with 15 seconds left on the clock.
The touchdown pass was the first of McEntee's career.
That drive only took 58 seconds, but it's the difference thus far in this matchup.
UConn will get the ball at the start of the second half.
Sophomore forward Javon McCrea of the basketball team was named homecoming king at halftime.
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