???Tuesday night, blue and red clashed for more than the White House.
???In an Election Night showdown, the Bulls (5-4. 3-2 MAC) hosted the Miami RedHawks (2-7, 1-4 MAC) in a face-off with serious conference implications.
???When the last whistle blew, the Bulls defeated the RedHawks for the first time in school history, 37-17. Buffalo has lost to Miami 10 times prior to Tuesday's victory.
???The game, nationally televised on ESPN2, is the third victory in a row for the Bulls. This is the first three-game winning streak since 1996 for the team. .
???"I'm excited for our fans and excited for our university," said head coach Turner Gill. "This is a big win for our program, and now we have to continue on. [This was] a historic night, obviously [not only] for the presidential race, but also for Buffalo's football program. This is just the beginning of our journey."
???Senior quarterback Drew Willy understands how powerful the win is for the Bulls.
???"It's huge," Willy said. "I know a lot of guys on that Miami team, but we finally got a win. They're all big games now, the next one is even bigger."
???From the moment the pigskin entered the hands of the Bulls, Willy attacked the RedHawk defense with passes all over the field. In a crucial fourth down situation on the Bulls' opening possession, Gill had his offense go for it on Miami's 39-yard line.
???"I told the guys to be aggressive," Gill said. "I believe in our players. It was an opportunity for us to be excited to move forward and play calmly but play aggressive. They executed the plays they needed to."
???Following a first down on a run by junior running back James Starks, Willy put junior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt on the Bulls 1-yard line. This set the Bulls up for the first score of the game. On a quarterback sneak, Willy jumped over a pile of players, putting the Bulls on the board, 7-0.
???On the following drive, the RedHawks were held to only a field goal after marching down the field into Bulls territory.
???In response to the Miami field goal, the Bulls began to march down the field themselves, but were held on their own 32-yard line, bringing out the punt team.
???Freshman punter Peter Fardon and the Bulls had a trick up their sleeve, as Fardon faked the punt and passed it 15 yards to junior cornerback Mike Newton who was left wide open. The pass was his first attempt and completion in his collegiate career.
???"We had the option to check it on the line of scrimmage," Fardon said. "We went through with the cadence and the rest is a blur. We've practiced it a few times at practice, so I was happy to see it happen. I'm just happy that I'm able to get the job done when the coaches ask me to."
???Gill was nervous with the play but happy with the result.
???"That play took a long time to come down," he said. "We executed the play. That's all that matters."
???Starks rushed 26 times for 177 yards on the night. He scored two touchdowns, including a 62-yard score with 2:06 to play in the fourth quarter.
???"We're just happy to be on top," Starks said. "It's a great win for the team and we should keep it going from there. I think we're up to the challenge. We got our minds right and we're ready to win."
???Willy's final touchdown pass of the night put him in a tie with Marty Barrett (1980-83) for all-time touchdown throws in school history. They both have 44.
???"It's definitely an honor," Willy said who threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns. "I think it's just a testament to my coaches, teammates and all the guys around me. There's going to be tons of records going down after I leave. The program is on the rise."
???With the victory, the Bulls remain in first place in the MAC East Division.
On Nov. 13, the Bulls head to Akron in a battle for first place in the MAC East. Like Tuesday's game.
???Game time against the Zips is 7 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
