Buffalo Cruises Past Eastern Michigan

One week after disposing of Connecticut, Bulls fans wondered if their team could carry the momentum of their triumph into the MAC portion of their schedule.

If Saturday's effort was any indication, the answer is a resounding yes!

Buffalo had no problems Saturday as they easily took care of business against Eastern Michigan, defeating the Eagles 42-14 for their third consecutive victory to improve to 3-2.

More importantly, Jeff Quinn's squad opens MAC play with a win.

Buffalo started the scoring early in the first when a sick cutback by Branden Oliver ended up resulting in a 60-yard touchdown run for the senior running back to put the Bulls up 7-0 early.

Oliver added another touchdown run later in the first, his second of the game, scoring from two yards out after Buffalo started on the Eagles 16-yard line following a Jake Stockman fumble recovery.

Oliver had a big day for the Bulls. The Florida native ran the ball 25 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns as he’s closing in on James Starks career rushing yards record at Buffalo.

After a Joe Licata one-yard quarterback sneak touchdown put Buffalo up 21-0 to cap a 99-yard drive on fourth and goal, the game had the feeling of a Bulls rout.

However, Tyler Benz did his best to keep the Eagles in the game, throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jay Jones to cut the Bulls lead down to 21-7.

But Eastern Michigan's momentum was short lived as Devin Campbell returned the ensuing kickoff 96-yards to the house to give Buffalo a 28-7 lead.

Quinn’s squad ran away with the game from there as Buffalo dominated in every aspect of the game.

The Bulls out-gained Eastern Michigan 452-329 as they ran and passed for over 200 yards apiece.

Licata had an efficient start, finishing 15 of 22 for 224 yards and a touchdown.

His one touchdown pass went to Alex Neutz who finished with four receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon.

Defensively, Buffalo had one of their best efforts of the season.

Ron English’s Eagles squad only had seven points and 254 yards before Ryan Brumfield scored on a 75-yard touchdown run in garbage time to get Eastern Michigan into double digits.

Buffalo played a great game and gave the 23,602 in attendance a show as they scored 40 plus points in consecutive games for the first time since 2008.

With the win, Licata improves to 6-3 in nine career starts as he’s beginning to grow into a very solid quarterback.

Buffalo now sits at 3-2 and 1-0 in the MAC. The Bulls return to action next week when they hit the road to take on winless Western Michigan.