Quarterback Tyree Jackson had arguably the best game of his career, going 21-of-26 for 325 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target was K.J. Osborn, who had seven receptions for 188 yards and three scores. Two of Osborn's three touchdowns were 70 yards or longer.
The real fireworks started in the second quarter with three consecutive big plays by both teams. First, Eastern Michigan scored on a 76-yard touchdown pass to cut the UB lead to 14-7. The Bulls then responded on the first play of their ensuing possession when Jackson connected with a streaking Osborn for a 70-yard touchdown to extend the UB lead to 21-7.
Eastern answered right back with a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of their next possession to again cut the UB lead to seven points at 21-14.
Marks scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, with 2:03 left in the second quarter, to extend the Bulls' lead to 28-14. Eastern Michigan, however, scored on the final play of the first half make it a 28-21 game.
The signature play of the game came early in the third quarter when Jackson rolled to his right and hit Osborn in stride along the sideline. The junior receiver did the rest as he was able to out-race the defense for a 75-yard touchdown to put the Bulls in front 35-21..
"It's a pretty exciting group in there right now and I think they're proud of what they've been able to get done so far," head coach Lance Leipold said. "I don't know if it's looking at the 3-0 part or it's looking at 1-0 in the league, which is a great start. I think they're just excited to get a win against a good football team and keep battling through this."
Osborn's 188 receiving yards were the fourth most in school history for a single game. It was Jackson's sixth career 300-yard passing game and the third highest single-game total in his career.
It was also the third straight game the junior signal-caller had 3+ touchdown passes in a game. He now has 12 touchdown passes on the season, matching his total from all of last season.
The Bulls' defense, meanwhile, registered eight tackles for loss and six sacks in the game. Leading the way was Chuck Harris. The senior defensive end finished with eight tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Khalil Hodge had a game-high 14 tackles for the Bulls..
Eastern Michigan Junior Mike Glass completed 17 of 27 for 284 yards and two touchdowns. Coupled with Tyler Wiegers’ 8 of 11 for 64 yards, the Eagles totaled 348 yards and two scores through the air.
EMU still managed 142 rushing yards and two TDs in the wild affair. Glass led the Eagles in rushing with 14 carries for 69 yards and a TD.
Senior Blake Banham topped the visitors receivers with nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown, while Jackson and Sexton combined for five catches and 121 yards with one TD.
Vince Calhoun and Ikie Calderon registered a combined 23 tackles to pace Eastern’s defense.
(Courtesy of UB Athletics)