The Bulls improved to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in MAC play with the win. Ohio dropped to 1-6, 1-2 MAC.
Early on, the Bulls had trouble stopping the Bobcats' rushing attack as they allowed Ohio to run for 181 yards and build a 21-0 lead after only one quarter of play.
McNulty got the Bulls on the board with a 43-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. In the final minutes of the half, Dylan McDuffie scored a 4-yard touchdown run to cut the Ohio lead 21-10 at the break.
McDuffie had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career. The junior running back finished with 143 yards and a score while making the first start of his career. His day included a career-long 58-yard dash.
Ohio outscored the Bulls, 5-0, in the third quarter, which included a safety on a botched punt attempt, and things looks bleak for the home team.
Trailing, 26-10, heading into the fourth quarter, Buffalo turned to some of its youngsters, and they stepped up.
Heading into Saturday's game, Tyler Stephens had two catches on the season. However, the sophomore tight end had three catches in the fourth quarter alone, including his first career touchdown to cut the Ohio lead to 26-16. Kyle Vantrease connected with McDuffie on the 2-point conversion and the Bulls trailed 26-18 with 13:11 left.
Fellow tight end Trevor Borland caught his first career touchdown, an 8-yard pass from Vantrease, on the Bulls' ensuing possession, to cut the Ohio lead to 26-24 with 8:39 remaining. The touchdown drive was set up by a forced fumble by Max Michel that was recovered by Kadofi Wright.
After the Bulls defense forced another three-and-out, highlighted by a Daymond Williams' sack, UB regained possession at its own 5-yard line with 6:19 left on the clock.
The Bulls methodically marched down the field, picking up key plays by Stephens, Dominic Johnson, Ron Cook, Jr. and Jamari Gassett, to move the chains. Buffalo did a great job working the clock and was able to set up McNulty in the middle of the field for the game-winner as time expired.
After allowing 226 yards of total offense in the first quarter, Buffalo's defense settled down and only surrendered 120 yards the rest of the game. Linebacker James Patterson had a career-high 15 tackles, including a tackle for loss to lead the way.
Overall, Ohio had registered 75 passing yards as Armani Rogers completed 6-of-10 attempts. However, Rogers led all rushers with a net of 183 yards and two TDs on the ground. De'Montre Tuggle contributed 46 yards on eight carries as the 'Cats totaled 272 rushing yards. Isiah Cox was the only Ohio receiver with more than one catch (3 for 22 total yards).
Bryce Houston paced the Bobcat defense with 15 tackles (11 solo).
(Courtesy of UB Athletics/MRO Edit)