After a scoreless first quarter, PSU scored twice – first with a 22-yard Brandon Polk Run and then with a 22-yard Joey Julius field goal. The Nittany Lions took that 10-0 lead into the locker room.
Buffalo finally broke through with a Joe Licata to Ron Willoughby 14-yard passing play for the score at 5:33 of the third stanza.
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Saquan Barkely runs of 33 and 17 yards got Penn State’s next possession rolling, and two plays later quarterback Christian Hackenberg hit DaeSean Hamilton for five yards and a touchdown. With the PAT kick, Penn State led 20-7 at the 12:04 mark of the final period.
When Buffalo went three and out on the next possession, Penn State came back for a final score. Hackenberg completed the six-play, 74-yard drive with a 38-yard strike to Chris Godwin.
The Bulls posted their final touchdown with 4:38 remaining as Licata connected with Marcus McGill from 10-yards out.
Penn State out-gained the visiting Bulls 328-274, although both teams had 15 first downs. The Nittany Lions produced 200 yards through the running game to just 69 for UB. The Bulls fared better with the pass, totaling 205 yards to 128 for the PSU.
Licata, though sacked six times for 47 yards, completed 24 of 35 with one interception and two touchdowns on a rainy day. Willoughby and McGill combined for 12 catches, 125 yards and two TDs.
Hackenberg was good on 14 of 27 with one TD and no interceptions. He was not sacked.
Barkley paced the Nittany Lions run game with 12 carries for 114 yards and a score.
There was one turnover in the game, and that led to three Penn State points.
Buffalo (1-1) hits the road this week, traveling to Florida Atlantic (0-2) for a noon matchup on Saturday.