BUFFALO, N.Y. - After nearly four hours of play, 93 combined points, and 958 total yards, the Miami RedHawks found themselves on the losing end of a 51-42 Mid-American Conference East Division battle at Buffalo.
The RedHawks slip to 3-6 (3-2 MAC) following the setback, while the Bulls improve their MAC-best record to 8-1 (5-0).
Miami quarterback
Gus Ragland led a big day of offense for the RedHawks, completing 20-of-35 passes for 313 yards and a touchdown. He added 53 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Running back
Alonzo Smith also had a multi-touchdown game, rushing for 63 yards and two TDs.
Brad Koenig led the Miami defense with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss.
The game started with a bang as both teams found the end zone before the 10 minute mark of the first quarter. After receiving to start the game, the RedHawks quickly marched down the field and scored the game's first touchdown on a 27-yard Ragland keeper, a career-high rush for the senior. The Bulls would quickly answer back however, with Tyree Jackson launching a 75-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Johnson on their second play from scrimmage.
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Miami wasted no time scoring again, as the RedHawk offense found paydirt again on their second drive. This time, the score came from Smith who punched it in on first and goal from the two.
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Again, the Bulls responded with their own touchdown after an eight-play drive ended with Jackson running it in himself. The RedHawks would then punt for the first time in the game on their next drive, and the quarter would end with the score tied at 14.
Miami would pin the Bulls deep on their next series early in the second quarter and force out UB's first punt. On the punt, the RedHawks would get pressure and
Doug Costin got a hand the kick, blocking it and giving Miami the ball deep in Buffalo territory. The 'Hawks would capitalize on Ragland's second rushing touchdown of the day, putting Miami back on top 21-14.
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The two teams would trade punts until the Bulls found the endzone again on a pass from Jackson to Johnson with 8:31 left on the clock in the second quarter, knotting the score up once again. The ensuing kickoff would see a 49-yard return from
Jaylon Bester set the 'Hawks up inside of Bulls territory. However, Miami came up empty after a 50-yard field goal attempt from Sam Sloman slipped just wide left. Buffalo took the lead just before the end of the half on a Jackson rush with 30 seconds left, giving the Bulls the 28-21 halftime lead.
The Bulls picked up where they left off to start the second half, going on a seven-play touchdown drive after receiving the second half kickoff. Now down two scores, the RedHawks would start to answer back. A nine-play, 75-yard drive from Miami would be capped off with another short touchdown run from Smith would pull the RedHawks back within a score.
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Unfortunately for the RedHawks, the Bulls offense would keep rolling. Johnson grabbed his third touchdown of the game on Buffalo's next series and the UB lead extended to 42-28 with less than five minutes to play in the third.
Once again, the Miami offense answered back. On 2nd and five on the RedHawk 41, Ragland would find a streaking
Kenny Young for a 59-yard touchdown, and the 'Hawks were back within seven.
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Following the touchdown, the RedHawks caught Buffalo off guard with a gutsy onside kick recovered by Miami. The 'Hawks would quickly capitalize on the big play and tie the game after Ragland took it in himself for his third rushing touchdown of the day. This 14-point swing occurred within the last 2:29 of the third quarter, and the teams would head into the fourth with the score tied at 42.
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The high-powered Bulls offense would yet again come back with a score of their own. A seven-play drive in just over 2:30 would be capped off with a four-yard Jaret Patterson run. The Bulls would miss the extra point, putting them ahead 48-42 with just under nine minutes remaining. The next RedHawk possession would stall out at midfield after a fourth-down attempt came up short, and the Bulls would take over on downs. The Buffalo possession resulted in a 37-yard field goal from Adam Mitcheson, and the 'Hawks found themselves down 51-42 with under four minutes remaining.Â
Miami drove into Bulls territory, but Buffalo would force and recover a fumble. Buffalo would run the ball three straight times to force Miami to use all its timeouts, and the RedHawks regained possession with just 1:35 left on the clock. Miami would be unable to find the end zone, and Buffalo sealed the nine-point victory.
Buffalo outgained the RedHawks 505 to 453, and had 26 first downs to Miami's 23. The Bulls' Jackson had six total touchdowns, including three through the air to Johnson.
The Red & White will return for a Battle of the Bricks matchup against rival Ohio on Wed. Nov. 7 at Yager Stadium. Kick time is yet to be determined and will either be 7 or 8 p.m.
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