The Buffalo Bulls (5-4, 4-1 MAC) left no room for doubt against the Bowling Green Falcons (3-6, 1-4 MAC) on Saturday afternoon, erasing any chance of a competitive game early in a 28-3 victory at Doyt Perry Stadium.
UB only needed three plays to take the lead, as Al-Jay Henderson broke out for a 41-yard touchdown run to give the Bulls the 7-0 lead just 55 seconds into the contest. The Falcons, looking to tie, were instead frustrated on two-straight possessions, with a four-and-out on their first offensive
drive and a turnover-on-downs to end a 14-play, 49-yard drive which took up nearly eight minutes of clock.
Buffalo took advantage, with Victor Snow taking a two-yard sweep run into the endzone to double up the Bulls’ lead at the start of the second quarter, then turning BG over on downs defensively for a third-straight possession to maintain their lead.
The game settled down after a hot start, with the teams exchanging seven punts through the middle section of the second quarter. On the seven possessions, no team had more than four plays or 13 yards.
That all changed on Bowling Green’s penultimate drive of the first half.
On the first play of the new series from their own 20-yard line, BGSU halfback Kaderrius Roberts ran forward to gain six yards before being met by Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock, who stripped the ball out of Roberts’ hands. Murdock’s teammate Jalen McNair was there to pick the ball up, returning it to BG’s six-yard line.
Three plays later, UB would take a 21-0 point lead on a five-yard pass from Ta’Quan Roberson to Jasiah Gathings.
Bowling Green had nothing to give after the break, giving up a 65-yard punt return touchdown to Victor Snow on their first possession of the third quarter, then managing a field goal with 8:33 remaining to prevent a shutout.
Ta’Quan Roberson finished 13-of-24 for 136 yards, a touchdown and an interception on the day for UB, while halfback Al-Jay Henderson crossed the century mark with 119 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Nik McMillan led all receivers with eight receptions for 105 yards.
Red Murdock put himself in the record books in the first half, forcing his 17th career fumble to break Khalil Mack’s all-time NCAA record. Murdock also collected 13 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack. Devin Morgan (five tackles, two TFLs, two sacks) and Oliver Bridges (interception) were also major contributors to the UB defensive effort.
It was a nightmare outing for Bowling Green, averaging three yards per play, turning the ball over twice, forced to three turnover-on-downs and finishing 4-of-16 on third-down attempts.
Drew Pyne returned after missing last week’s game, but struggled, finishing 7-of-16 for 52 yards, getting sacked five times. Hunter Najm was 4-of-12 for 48 yards in relief. Austyn Dendy led the rushing attack with 18 carries for 62 yards, while Jyrin Johnson had five catches for 69 yards. No other BG receiver had more than two catches or 11 yards.
Gideon Lampron continued a banner season, accumulating 11 total tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a QB hurry. Preston EstoEsta hauled in an interception and broke up a pass while getting five stops. JoJo Johnson led the unit with two pass break-ups.
Bowling Green prepares for a vital matchup against Eastern Michigan next Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern time. BG cannot afford any more losses if they hope to clinch a bowl berth, sitting at 3-6 after today.
Buffalo will have a BYE week before their next game against Central Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12th, at 7 p.m. Eastern time in Mt. Pleasant.
