Oct. 28, 2008
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
ATHENS, Ohio - In a rain-soaked contest at Peden Stadium, the University at Buffalo (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) defeated Ohio University (2-7, 1-4 MAC) by a score of 32-19, marking the first win in Athens for the Bulls since joining the league in 1999.
Ohio actually out-gained UB with 417 total yards to Buffalo's 393, but a season-high seven fumbles on a cold, rainy night in Athens proved too tough to overcome.
Junior wide receiver Brandon Peterson (Gaithersburg, Md.) had a career-night for Ohio, catching six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, all career-highs. Junior quarterback Boo Jackson (Gardena, Calif.) finished the night 20-for-29 for 290 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the Green & White with 70 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior safety Steven Jackson (Austin, Texas) led the Bobcat defense with 13 tackles, followed by sophomore Noah Keller (Kearney, Neb.) with 10 stops.
The Bobcats kicked off to Buffalo to open the game, and the Bulls wasted no time, scoring on the opening drive in only six plays to take the lead, 7-0, on a three-yard scamper by junior running back James Starks.
On Ohio's first possession, junior running back L.J. Flintall (Burlington, N.C.) gave the Bobcats great field position with a 64-yard kickoff return. The `Cats made it to the three-yard line, but a fumble near the goal line cost the Bobcats a chance at their first points of the evening.
The Bobcats when Jackson forced a fumble that was recovered by junior defensive end Conor Reilly (Hudson, Ohio), giving Ohio another chance in Bulls' territory. A 38-yard field goal attempt by senior kicker Barrett Way (Richmond, Va.) was unsuccessful, however, and Buffalo took over on its own 29-yardline.
Less than two minutes into the second quarter, Jackson connected with Peterson for a 59-yard touchdown reception to cut the Bulls' lead to 14-7. That catch was the longest of Peterson's Bobcat career, and also marked his first-career touchdown.
On the next drive, Buffalo put together 11 plays for 61 yards, ending when senior quarterback Drew Willy threw his 15th touchdown pass of the season on a nine-yard toss to junior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt, making the score 21-7 in favor of the Bulls.
The Bobcats mounted a steady drive on their next possession but another field goal attempt failed, giving Buffalo the ball at its own 26-yard line with two minutes remaining in the first half. The Ohio defense then held for the first time in the game to give the Bobcats a chance to score before halftime, but Jackson was intercepted by Domonic Cook to give the ball back to the Bulls. Buffalo capitalized on the turnover with a 25-yard field goal by A.J. Principe as time expired, putting the lead at 24-7 for the Bulls at the half.
The Bobcats received the ball to start the second half, but the Bulls defense held to force the first punt of the night for Ohio. Buffalo took over near midfield but was unable to mount a drive. The Bobcats' next possession resulted in Ohio's second punt of the evening, with the Bulls receiving the ball on their own 38-yard line. They ran three plays and were forced to punt by the Ohio defense.
On the Bobcats' next possession, Jackson fumbled after making a long run, once again giving the ball back to the Bulls. The back-and-forth continued, with Buffalo punting again near the end of the third period of play.
As the Bobcats' drive continued in the fourth quarter, Ohio's offense closed the gap with an eight-yard touchdown run by Jackson, capping off an eight-play drive. The extra-point attempt was blocked, however, by Buffalo's Kendric Hawkins and returned by senior defensive lineman Andrae Smith for two points, making the score 26-13 for the Bulls.
Ohio's defense held the Bulls on the ensuing possession, giving the `Cats the ball at their own 46-yard line. Jackson completed a 28-yard pass to senior fullback Jayson White (Erie, Pa.), a career-long for the latter. On fourth and eight from the Bulls' 20-yard line, Jackson hooked up with redshirt freshman Riley Dunlop (Liberty Township, Ohio), who made an acrobatic catch while falling out of bounds to secure his first-career touchdown. Way's extra point was wide right, leaving the score 26-19 with just under nine minutes left in the game.
The Bulls answered with a 52-yard scoring run by James Starks on the third play of the possession to increase the lead to 32-19. The Bobcats' A.J. Oxley (Pickerington, Ohio) blocked the extra point, the first time Ohio had done so since 2005 against Central Michigan.
On the next possession, Ohio's Jackson completed a pass to wide receiver Steven Goulet (Irmo, S.C.), who fumbled the ball and the Bulls recovered deep in their own territory. Buffalo ran the ball to eat up the final five minutes of the game, with the final score standing at 32-19, Buffalo.
The Bobcats will remain home to face Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 8. Kickoff with the Falcons is slated for 2 p.m.
