Bulls football (2-2, 0-0 MAC) relied on a dominant rushing attack and timely scoring in the second half to score a homecoming win over Robert Morris Colonials (2-2, 1-0 NEC) 31-28 Saturday afternoon at Broadview Stadium.
Despite committing three turnovers, Buffalo controlled most of the game — even maintaining possession for nearly 40 minutes — and finished with 442 total yards and 27 first downs. The Bulls ran 91 offensive plays, nearly doubling Robert Morris’ 53 and rushed for 302 yards to secure the win.
Robert Morris struck first after an early Buffalo interception set up a 29-yard touchdown run by the Colonials running back. The Colonials took a 7-0 lead before Buffalo responded back with a 16-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Nino Hill.
The Colonials regained the lead later in the opening quarter when the quarterback broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown run, giving Robert Morris a 14-7 advantage.
Buffalo answered back before halftime, when sophomore quarterback Jason Wright broke free on a 25-yard touchdown run with 59 seconds remaining in the second quarter, tying the game at 14-14 heading into the break.
The Bulls turned the tables in the second half, taking their first lead on the opening possession of the second half. Buffalo marched 63 yards on 14 plays and took more than seven minutes off the clock before Hill scored a one-yard run to give the Bulls their first lead of the afternoon at 21-14.
Buffalo’s offense continued to wear down the Colonials throughout the second half. Quarterback Jason Wright contributed both through the air and on the ground, completing 15 passes and passing for 140 yards and a touchdown while adding 95 rushing yards and a score.
The Bulls extended their lead early in the fourth quarter when Wright connected with fifth-year wide receiver Chance Morrow on a nine-yard touchdown, capping a five-play scoring drive and pushing the advantage to 28-14. Morrow led the Buffalo receivers with five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Robert Morris refused to go away. A Buffalo special teams miscue resulted in a Colonials touchdown when Colonials’ redshirt senior linebacker Khalil Hunter recovered a fumble in the end zone, cutting the deficit to 28-21.
Buffalo responded with what proved to be a crucial score midway through the fourth quarter. After missing two earlier field goal attempts, sophomore kicker Oliver Hautanen drilled a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead to 31-21.
The Colonials quarterback led a quick scoring drive late in the fourth quarter and found a wide receiver for a 32-yard touchdown pass, trimming Buffalo’s lead to 31-28 with just over two minutes remaining.
Buffalo's rushing attack ultimately carried the day. Senior running back Messiah Burch led all rushers with 146 yards on 26 carries, Hill added 64 yards and two touchdowns, and Wright contributed 95 yards on the ground.
Despite Wright throwing two interceptions and a losing fumble, Buffalo consistently sustained drives, converting 10 of 19 third-down opportunities and punting only twice to control possession and keep the Colonials offense off the field.
Buffalo improved to 2-2 (0-0 MAC) with the homecoming victory and will open conference play next Saturday, Oct. 3, against the Western Michigan Broncos (2-2, 0-0 MAC) at Broadview Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT, with the game streaming on ESPN+.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com.
