:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21430269/20131018_mje_al9_1200.0.jpg)
It was a cold, windy and rainy day against a MAC bottom feeder but that wasn't going to keep Buffalo from completing their objective Saturday afternoon.
The Bulls defense stepped up for the fourth consecutive game, once again not allowing a touchdown as they comfortably defeated Massachusetts 32-3 in front of a sparse UB Stadium crowd.
After a Patrick Clarke 44-yard field goal put Buffalo up 3-0 in the second quarter, Khalil Mack scored the Bulls first touchdown of the game, returning an AJ Doyle interception 35 yards to the house to increase Buffalo’s lead to 10-0.
That was all the points Jeff Quinn’s squad would need as the combination of the Blue and White’s dominant defensive play with the horrible weather conditions stifled the Minutemen offense.
Massachusetts accumulated only 247 total yards, scoring their only three points on a Blake Lucas 42-yard field goal before the end of the first half.
Leading 16-3, the Bulls added to their lead on a safety with 23 seconds left in the third quarter when Okoye Houston took down Jamal Wilson in the end zone.
Buffalo did a good job limiting the Minutemen running game, limiting them to 85 yards on 33 carries.
With the game in hand in the fourth quarter, the Bulls added a pair of touchdowns, a Fred Lee seven-yard connection with Joe Licata and a Branden Oliver five-yard run to put some distance between the two teams on the scoreboard.
The touchdowns capped off special days for both players.
Lee was forced to take on a larger role in the Bulls passing attack after Alex Neutz left the game in the second quarter due to a concussion.
The senior leader finished with eight receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Oliver's touchdown capped a performance that will be remembered a long time by Bulls fans.
Oliver carried the ball 43 times for 216 yards and a touchdown as he officially passed James Starks on his way to becoming Buffalo's all-time leading rusher.
The win marks the Bulls fifth consecutive win as Buffalo improves to 5-2 (3-0) overall.
Things are looking up for Quinn's squad.
Buffalo hits the road next week for a critical match-up against last year’s MAC East Division Champs, the Kent State Golden Flashes as they look to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2008.