Bulls Take Advantage of Toledo Miscues, Cruise to Road Win

The University at Buffalo Bulls (3-3, 1-1 MAC) defeated the Toledo Rockets (4-2, 1-1 MAC), 23-8, at the Glass Bowl in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday. It was UB’s first victory by multiple scores this season and brought both its overall and conference records to .500. The Bulls are now one of four teams in the MAC with a .500 overall record.

Toledo’s offense struggled mightily, with each of the Rockets’ first four drives ending in a punt. The Bulls’ offense, which has struggled throughout the season, managed a pair of field goals in the first quarter before capitalizing on several key Toledo mistakes. Following a UB punt, Toledo junior quarterback John Alan Richter fumbled at his own 11-yard line after Buffalo sophomore defensive lineman Christopher Climes knocked the ball loose. Sixth-year linebacker Zach Bergmann recovered at the 11, giving UB a golden opportunity inside the Rockets’ red zone. Four plays later, Buffalo sophomore quarterback Jason Wright made Toledo pay with a three-yard touchdown run, giving the Bulls a 13-0 lead that they held through halftime.

UB carried a 16-0 lead deep into the fourth quarter before Toledo finally broke through with a 14-play, 86-yard touchdown drive and a two-point conversion, cutting the Bulls’ lead in half, 16-8. But just as things began to get tense, senior running back Messiah Burch, wearing No. 41 in honor of Solomon Jackson, put those concerns to rest with an 87-yard touchdown run on the first play of Buffalo’s ensuing possession. The score and extra point extended UB’s lead to 23-8. Toledo never got the ball back: Head coach Pete Lembo opted for an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, catching the Rockets by surprise and allowing Buffalo to recover with just over four minutes remaining. The Bulls then picked up several key first downs to drain the clock and seal the victory.

It was a sloppy performance by the Rockets, who entered the game as 18.5-point favorites. Toledo committed three turnovers, missed two field goals and racked up 15 penalties for 137 yards. The Rockets’ struggles on third down compounded those mistakes, as they converted just three of their 14 attempts.

Individually, Wright completed 14 of 31 passes for 171 yards. Burch rushed for 137 yards on 17 carries, recording his third 100-yard rushing game of the season. Fifth-year defensive back SaVeon Brown led the Bulls with 11 total tackles.

ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) now gives UB a rating of -12.8, placing the Bulls fifth in the MAC, behind Miami (Ohio) and just ahead of UMass. The model gives Buffalo an 80.5% chance of reaching six wins this season, which would make the Bulls bowl eligible.

The Bulls return to action on Saturday, October 17, against the UMass Minutemen (4-2, 1-2 MAC) at UB Stadium in Buffalo. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game Highlights