BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Junior quarterback Tyree Jackson three for three touchdowns and ran for three more as the Buffalo Bulls fought off a desperate challenge by the Miami RedHawks to post a 51-42 victory.
With the win, Buffalo (8-1, 5-0 MAC) remained undefeated in conference play. It’s only loss was to Army in late September - a game which wide receiver Antonio Johnson missed. He’s been back for several games and teamed up with Jackson for a big night. His 75-yard TD reception on the Bulls second play from scrimmage was the first of three touchdowns for Johnson on the evening. Overall, he caught a game-high eight passes for 238 yards.
O-LINE PROVIDES THE TIME
Buffalo’s line provided time to throw most of the night, and even when defenders got close, Jackson was usually able to move and string out the play. That is how UB scoring started as Johnson broke off his route to get behind Miami defenders on an extended play.
That made it a 7-7 game as MU had previously scored on the game’s opening drive. Senior quarterback Gus Ragland finished the trip with a 27-yard run.
RAGLAND-YOUNG COMBO
Ragland had a big night himself, completing 20 of 35 throws for 313 yards and matching Jackson’s three running scores with three of his own. He provided another through the air, connecting with senior running back Kenny Young on a big 59-yard TD play during the RedHawks second half rally.
Young and sophomore Jack Sorenson combined for 12 catches and 189 yards to lead MU receivers. Alonzo Smith, back from injury paced Miami runners with 13 carries for 63 yards and a pair of scores. However, Ragland, scrambling to keep drives alive, registered 16 carries for 53 yards. It was his most rushing attempts of the season.
BLOCKED PUNT
The teams were tied at 14 after one quarter, and MU took another brief lead early in the second period. Doug Costin’s punt block set the visitors up at the Buffalo 18 and Ragland scored five plays later.
Buffalo got that score back with a seven-play, 80-yard TD drive midway through the period and squeezed another touchdown in just before the half. The latter score might not have happened, since Miami appeared to intercept a Jackson pass into the end zone. However, holding was called on a different RedHawk defender and Jackson ran it in on the next play for a 28-21 Buffalo halftime lead.
ONE MORE TIME
The hosts made it a two-score lead with early in the third period with another Jackson run.
When MU cut its deficit back to seven with a Smith touchdown on the next drive, Buffalo answered with its final Jackson to Johnson score -- this time from 10 yards out t 4:58 of the third period to make it 42-28.
Still, Miami battled back, scoring two touchdowns before the period ended for a 42-all tie heading into the stretch.
BULLS DEFENSE
With the MAC East Division lead hanging in the balance, Buffalo’s defense regroupled and pitched a shutout the rest of the way. Patterson’s 4-yard TD run put the Bulls back in front again at 8:53. Although the PAT kick failed, Adam Mitcheson came back at 3:54 with a 37-yard field goal to close scoring.
Miami (3-6, 3-2 MAC) returns to action Nov. 7 when it hosts rival Ohio. Buffalo hosts Kent State Nov. 6 before its Nov. 14 showdown with Ohio in Athens.