
Buffalo, which finished the season with two wins and a cancellation (versus Kent State), raising its record to 5-6 overall, 3-4 MAC. UMass (3-9, 3-5 MAC) fell for the second straight outing, both without standout QB Blake Frohnapfel.
After a scoreless first quarter, Buffalo put two touchdowns on the board before halftime. Patrick Clarke’s PAT following the second score failed, and UB took a 13-0 lead in to the locker room. Both scores came on passes from Licata. The first went 28 yards to Devon Hughes, while the second found Jacob Martinez from 31 yards out.
Ron Willoughby became the third UB receiver with a TD reception when Licata hit him on a 22 yard pass at 10:30 of the second quarter to up the Bulls advantage to 20-0.
UMass finally got on the board with a 50 yard dash by Marken Michel on the following possession, but Buffalo responded with two more scores. Hughes caught a 4-yard Licata pass and Taylor tallied on a 3-yard run to put the visitors up 34-7.
Tajae Sharpe scored on a seven yard pass from Qustin Whipple at 10:50 of the final quarter. Taylor later finished UB scoring with he broke loose for a 76-yard TD run at 3:19. Sharpe’s 24-yard reception from Whipple at 1:17 wrapped up scoring for both teams.
BY THE NUMBERS – TEAMS
Buffalo totaled 548 yards of offense (255 passing, 293 running).
UMass totaled 330 yards of offense (168 passing, 162 running)
BY THE NUMBERS – INDIVIDUAL
Buffalo -- Licata completed 20 of 27 for 255 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Taylor led the rushing with 36 carries for 237 yards (56.6 ypc) with two TDs. Jordan Johnson added 51 yards on nine carries.
Receiving leaders were Willoughby (5/90 yards, 1 TD) and Hughes (7/87 yards, 2 TDs).
UMass quarterback Austin Whipple completed 13 of 28 for 168 yards with two TDs and no interceptions.
Shadrach Abrokwah netted an even 100 yards on 15 carries (6.7 ypc). Michel carried four times for 64 yards and one score (50 yards).
Receiving leaders were Sharpe (4/36 yards, 2 TDs) and Rodney Mills (2/31 yards).
NOTES
- Neither team had a turnover, and both were penalized five times (UB 55 yds, UMass 50 yds).
- Brian McDonald punted eight times UMass, with a 48.4 ypk average.
- Only one field goal was attempted on the day. Clarke missed a 33-yard attempt in the first quarter to close a 15-play, 64-yard Buffalo drive.