The Buffalo Bulls (2-3, 0-0 MAC) dropped a tough contest Saturday afternoon, falling 20-17 to the University of Connecticut Huskies (3-2, 0-0 FBS Independent) at UB Stadium.
With sixth-year quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson out due to injury, redshirt senior quarterback Gunnar Gray earned the start for the Bulls. Both teams traded defensive stops in the first quarter with the Bulls’ defense, forcing two punts and the offense struggling to find rhythm. The game was scoreless at the end of the first quarter.
UConn struck first with a 25-yard touchdown catch. Buffalo answered back immediately, as redshirt sophomore running back Lamar Sperling broke free for a 63-yard touchdown, his longest run of the season, tying the game at 7.
The Huskies opened the second half with an 8-yard touchdown run. Buffalo kept the game close, answering with a field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10. UConn then responded with a field goal of their own, making it 17-10.
Buffalo’s defense kept the team alive with key stops; including a sack by sixth-year defensive tackle George Wolo, his first of the season. With under five minutes to play, the Bulls finally broke through offensively. Redshirt junior wide receiver Victor Snow made a 30-yard reception to set up a trip to the red zone. Gray then connected with senior running back Al-Jay Henderson on a 5-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 17.
For Gray, the moment was meaningful. It was not only his first career touchdown pass, but also his first career start.
“It’s good. I have stayed ready basically my whole career,” Gray said. “Being able to go out there and put up the performance that I really wanted was good. But obviously it’s frustrating that we lost.”
UConn responded by going into Buffalo territory on the final drive, setting up the game winning field goal to seal a 20-17 win for the Huskies.
Despite the loss, several Bulls turned in standout performances. Sperling ran for 106 yards and a touchdown, graduate linebacker Red Murdock led the team with nine tackles, and sixth year safety Jalen McNair added seven tackles and two pass breakups.
The Bulls play their first home Mid-American Conference game of the year when they play the Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-4, 0-1 MAC) on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM at the UB Stadium and it will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
