The Buffalo Bulls (5-6, 4-3 MAC) dropped a tough matchup Wednesday night, falling 37-20 to the Miami (OH) RedHawks (6-5, 5-2 MAC) at UB Stadium.
Buffalo's defense started out strong, allowing zero points in the first quarter. Both teams traded defensive stops through the quarter, with UB’s front seven containing the RedHawks early. After a 13 play drive, UB scored first after senior kicker Jack Howes made a 33-yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bulls after the first.
Miami would then score 17 straight points in the second quarter, but the Bulls answered right before halftime. Sixth-year quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson led a 75-yard drive down the field, finding redshirt sophomore wide-receiver Victor Snow for a nine-yard touchdown to cut into the RedHawks lead 17-10 going into halftime.
The Bulls came out of halftime on fire, scoring on back-to-back drives. Roberson led another touchdown drive, this time senior wide-receiver Jasaiah Gathings caught a 10-yard touchdown and Jack Howes made a 47-yard field goal after the Bulls stopped the RedHawks on fourth down to make the score 20-17 Buffalo. The RedHawks would score two more touchdowns to make the score 31-20 going into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, UB’s defense held Miami to just two field goals, highlighted by graduate linebacker Red Murdock’s game high 14 tackles and junior linebacker Dion Crawford’s eight tackles. Unfortunately, the offense stalled late. The Bulls didn’t score in the quarter and dropped the game 37-20, marking the second straight win over the Bulls for the RedHawks.
Roberson threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions. Snow had nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, while junior receiver Nik McMillan led the team in receiving yards with 147 on eight catches. On the defensive side of the ball, junior safety Miles Greer and senior defensive end Malin White each recorded a sack in the loss.
Buffalo now faces a must-win situation to reach bowl eligibility. The Bulls close out their regular season at home against the Ohio Bobcats (7-4, 5-2 MAC) on Saturday, November 28th. Kickoff is set for noon and the game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
