AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – University at Buffalo's football team took much encouragement from its resilient effort in an enthralling homecoming game Saturday at UB Stadium. In the end, however, the Bulls took their first Mid-American Conference loss of the season, 48-41 against visiting Western Michigan.
With wins against two of the MAC's better opponents in Northern Illinois and Toledo, the loss drops UB (4-3, 2-1) behind Western Michigan (4-3, 3-0) in the conference standings. Valiant in defeat, the Bulls affirmed their MAC title contender status in battling back against the league's last remaining unbeaten team.
Overcoming an 18-point deficit in the second half, UB almost came back again from down 10 in the fourth quarter. But in a back-and-forth game of inches, the Bulls last chance at a tying touchdown in the final minute was nosed out by the tip of the football.
UB tackling machine Shaun Dolac, the midseason All-American linebacker from West Seneca, took down Western Michigan's Jaden Nixon on a 4th-and-1 pitch with 45 seconds remaining. Though it appeared to most in the crowd of 18,487 that Nixon was stopped for no gain, officials measured a first down. Television replays showed the ball was spotted short of the 35-yard-line, and a possible chain operation error on a series that started at the 25. UB coach Pete Lembo said that officials told him the call was deemed correct by video replay.
The disappointing ending overshadowed UB's best offensive performance of the season and a spirited comeback in a game in which the two teams combined for 1,040 yards and scored more points in regulation than the highest-scoring game in NCAA history, won by Western Michigan here seven years ago after seven overtime periods.
UB quarterback CJ Ogbonna was 22 of 34 passing for a career-best 309 yards, with touchdown passes to Victor Snow and Taji Johnson, and no turnovers.
The Bulls rushed for 242 yards, led by Al-Jay Henderson (97 yards), whose 68-yard TD run tied the score at 38 after Ogbonna connected with Chance Morrow on a 2-point conversion. Henderson also gained 49 yards on four receptions, but his muffed kickoff return contributed to Western Michigan establishing a 28-10 lead in the second quarter.
Snow totaled 108 yards on seven receptions and two rushes, including a 12-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. Johnson caught five passes for 50 yards.
Western Michigan went up by 10 after Jordin Parker's 75-yard kickoff return led to a field goal and Nixon scored his third touchdown on a 54-yard run.
Upton Bellenfant's 22-yard field goal capped an 85-yard drive on UB's last possession, and the Bulls were unable to get the ball back again.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
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