UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo football team cruised to a 48-14 win over Kent State on Tuesday night at UB Stadium to improve to 9-1 on the year – its best start in school history. The Bulls also improved to 6-0 in Mid-American Conference play for the first time since joining the league in 1999.
In blustery conditions, with wins over 25 miles per hour, the Bulls relied on a steady dose of the ground game and rushed for a season-best 358 yards in the game. Jaret Patterson set the tone early by ripping off a 64-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage to quickly give the Bulls a 7-0 lead. The freshman running back ran for a career-high 187 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
The Bulls scored on each of their first four drives of the game and five of their first six possessions. Five different Bulls scored rushing touchdowns in the game. Along with Patterson’s two scores, Tyree Jackson (1 yd), Emmanuel Reed (2 yds), Kevin Marks (5 yds) and Theo Anderson (11 yds) also scored rushing touchdowns.
Jackson attempted only 16 passes in the game, but threw a three-yard touchdown to Anthony Johnson early in the third quarter to extend the UB lead to 41-0. It was Johnson’s sixth touchdown catch in the last three games. Jackson finished the game with 111 yards passing.
A week after giving up 42 points to Miami (OH), the Buffalo defense played its most dominant game of the season. The Bulls held Kent State to just 34 yards of total offense through the first three quarters.
Matt Otwinowski filled in admirably for Khalil Hodge at middle linebacker. With Hodge out for the first half for his targeting penalty in last week’s game, Otwinowski earned the first start of his career. The junior from Indiana led the Bulls with eight tackles and had a tackle for loss in the game.
Justin Brandon, one of 20 seniors honored before the game, had a career-best two sacks on the night. As a team, the Bulls had eight tackles for loss.
“I’m very proud and pleased with the way we played,” head coach Lance Leipold said. “I think the thing that made the difference was getting off to the good start, getting the field position, scoring early and then being able to play a lot of guys in the second half.”
Buffalo will travel to Ohio next Wednesday for a chance to win the MAC East Division Championship.
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