AKRON, OH – After scoring on their first drive, the Buffalo Bulls rode their running game and defense to a 21-0 victory over Akron Saturday at InfoCision Stadium.
UB's ground game churned out 189 yards and the game's first TD, while the defense provided two second half scores to put the game away.
The Bulls victory ended a . . .
The victory also was UB’s second over the Zips in the Rubber City and its first at InfoCision Stadium in four tries.
Akron (0-7, 0-3) suffered its first shutout since 2017, when it was blanked at Penn State 52-0. It was the first blanking in MAC play, as well as at home, since 2016 (by WMU 41-0).
The visitors from Western New York opted to receive the opening kick. Taking possession on their own 25, sophomore QB Kyle Vantreese engineered a 14-play drive, which sophomore RB Kevin Marks ended with a two-yard blast up the middle.
That would be UB’s only offensive touchdown of the game.
Van Treese, making his second collegiate start, grew up in the area and played prep ball at nearby Stow-Munroe Falls High School. He completed 14-of-23 passes for only 65 yards against Akron, with his longest completion being 12 yards.
For a majority of the game however, he handed the ball over to Marks and sophomore Jared Patterson who were the main cogs in the UB running game a season ago. Patterson led all rushers in the contest with 88 yards on 17 carries.
Akron started freshman quarterback Zach Gibson instead of senior Cato Nelson who was serving a team suspension.
Gibson had played surprisingly well in relief of Nelson in the Zips loss at Massachusetts on September 28, completed 22-of-39 passes for 193 yards.
Although the game was 7-0 at halftime, the Zips had their chances to score.
As the first quarter became the second, Gibson and the UA offense moved the ball from their own 31 to the Bulls 20. However junior PK Jerry Fritschen missed a 45-yard field goal.
Midway through the second period, UA had another chance to score after recovering a UB fumble at the Bulls 24. Akron reached the 13 but Fitschen missed a second field goal -- this one a 45-yarder, and the score was 7-0 UB at intermission.
Late in the third quarter, UB's defense increased the lead after Gibson was sacked by sophomore DE Taylor Riggins, causing a fumble. Senior DE Lederius Mack scooped up the ball and ran 35 yards for a touchdown to make the score 14-0.
Buffalo's defense closed the scoring midway through the fourth quarter
Gibson was sacked by LB Kadofi Wright, with the ball going into the end zone. It was recovered by Wright to make the final score 21-0.
Statistically, take away the two UB defensive touchdowns, and the other numbers were pretty much even. The Bulls only gaining 254 total yards marking the best showing yet by Akron's defense. However, the Zips managed only 196 yards on offense and did commit four turnovers -- three fumbles (two recovered for touchdowns) and an interception.
Defensively, senior LB John Lako (MAC in total tackles) led the Zips with 11 total stops (five solo), while the Bulls were led by Wright who had five tackles (three solo) and the touchdown.
Next Saturday, UB returns home to face surprising Central Michigan. The Chippewas collected their fifth win of the season and third in MAC play with a 38-20 road win at Bowling Green.
Akron travels to Northern Illinois to face the Huskies who fell at Miami 27-17.