
It was a comeback at least a week in the making.
It was a comeback so impressive, head coach Chuck Martin had to take a few moments to regroup in his post-game press conference.
Martin's Miami RedHawks overcame a first half 14-3 deficit to defeat visiting Buffalo 34-20 Saturday at Yager Stadium. But that was just the Yager Stadium scoreboard. Martin knew as much as anybody might that . . .
". . . Miami's BIG comeback started as his team walked away from a brutal 76-5 loss to No. 6 Ohio State last week in Columbus. It was the kind of loss that would shake any team, let alone a young squad riddled with injuries.
"You're a human being, (so) you don't feel good about yourself -- as a coach, as a player -- anything," Martin said of the Buckeye loss hangover. "They got bludgeoned," he continued. People have no idea where these guys were sitting (mentally and physically) on Sunday.
Bit-by-bit and day-by-day, the RedHawks regrouped, but nobody really knew how things would play out Saturday with a makeshift lineup facing a talented Buffalo team fresh off a win over Temple.

Patterson's run was both impressive and disheartening to the Bulls opponent. "We had two of our best players hitting the guy at the line of scrimmage," Martin said. "We hit him (again) two steps later ... (but) he still goes 82."
With his 183 yards against Miami, Patterson pushed his season average to 109.2 ypg, third among MAC rushers. As a team, the Bulls now average 240.2 ypg on the ground, second best in the conference.

"It's 14-3 and you want to open it up, but we can't open it up with the guys we have out there. We're very limited," Martin said. "If it's 14-3 and you start chucking it around, they're going to beat you 35-3 in a hurry."
Miscues and penalties hurt the Bulls all day as they were flagged 10 times for 103 yards and were forced into four turnovers. Following a 39-yard Bulls punt, UB drew a 15-yard penalty that allowed Miami to start its possession at the Buffalo 46. It was one of several short fields which the RedHawks used to their advantage.
When Buffalo's defense forced a field goal attempt (which would have been good), it was flagged on the play, giving MU's drive new life. Quarterback Brett Gabbert finally inched his way in to make it a 14-10 game.

After punting on its first drive of the third period, Miami quickly seized the lead and momentum on a play that may have been the game's turning point. Mike Brown jumped a Mike Myers pass for the interception and returned it 25 yards for a score to give the hosts their first lead, 20-14.
Martin noted it was a play that Buffalo ran against his team in a similar situation last year. It came up in film preparation, and Bart Baratti took away the play's first option. When the QB went to a second target, Brown was waiting.
His touchdown seemed to open the floodgates. Buffalo's next punt was returned 26 yards, by Maurice Thomas, who had a productive day on returns(3 punts 68 yards and 3 kickoffs for 56 yards). Although he has been successfully returning kickoffs for several years, Thomas struggled with punts. "He just kept working on it," Martin said. "What a weapon."
Although they were down 27-14, the Bulls had plenty of time left and could still move the ball. They drove into Miami territory, but faced a 4th-and-11 at MUs 33. A pass to Nunn fell incomplete as Myer was pressured by McWood.

There was still an entire quarter-plus to go, and UB quickly pulled within two scores when it rode the running of Kevin Marks, who broke off several chunk plays. He reached the end zone with a 39-yard jaunt to make it a 34-20 game after the PAT was blocked.
Marks' TD turned out to be the only score of the fourth quarter as defenses took over. Buffalo's last serious chance to score was a 14-play drive that ended with a Kyle Vantrease incompletion from the Miami 13 with 6:38 to play.
"From Sunday to today, it's as proud a week as I've had coaching," Martin said. "I love these guys. I love the staff. I can't say enough about the medical people."
With a bye next week, the RedHawks will get a well-timed chance to rest and repair before meeting Western Michigan Oct. 5. Buffalo will be home for a rematch against Ohio, which handed the Bulls their only regular season MAC loss (52-17) last season.

-- Against Miami Saturday, Buffalo had a 398-265 advantage in total offense and rode the run game for 309 yards on 49 attempts. The Bulls completed just 7 of 20 passes for 89 yards. Patterson carried 22 times for 183 yards and a score. Marks added 17 rushes for 103 yards and one TD.
--Over the second and third quarters, Buffalo completed 1 of 11 passes for 10 yards and threw two interceptions. The Bulls were 3 of 4 for 30 yards through the air over the final 15 minutes.
Myers (4-14-2-59 yds) played nearly three quarters before giving way to Kyle Vantrease 3-4-0-30).
-- Final stats listed the game-time temperature at 81 with a 6 mph wind out of the SSW. It warned up enough, however, that an announcement was made at the stadium that the concession stands would provide free water for those needing the hydration.
-- Martin mentioned the RedHawks being forced to use freshman at various spots. Jamie Maye was one of the freshmen on the field Saturday, and he caught three balls for 83 yards after having just two catches prior to this week. Maye's 52-yard catch late in the third quarter set up Miami's final score.