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Toledo Rockets Past Buffalo

The Bulls had a golden opportunity to earn a marquee conference win but sputtered out the gate in a chilly Glass Bowl.

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s just say that Buffalo didn’t play their best game Tuesday night.

Going for their eighth straight victory, the Bulls laid an egg, trailing 38-0 before waking up on either side of the ball as Buffalo fell to Toledo 51-41 on a chilly night at the Glass Bowl.

Buffalo trailed 31-0 going into halftime and appeared out-manned and out-coached on both sides of the ball.

Toledo moved with the ball with ease, both passing and running the ball.

Terrance Owens finished passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns including a 59-yard touchdown connection with Bernard Reedy.

Reedy led the Rockets in receiving on the night, taking down three receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Even more effective than Toledo's passing attack was their run game.

The Rockets finished with 323 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 50 carries.

Kareem Hunt led the way, filling in for David Fluellen, running for 186 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.

Despite trailing 38-0 early in the second half, Buffalo showed no quit.

The Bulls went on to score 41 points in the second half as they got in a groove too little too late.

Joe Licata finished with a Bulls FBS record 497 passing yards and four touchdowns.

His top target, Alex Neutz finished with game high eight receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

His first touchdown set a new school record for career touchdown receptions, breaking his tie with Naaman Roosevelt.

Joining Neutz in putting up good numbers was Fred Lee.

The senior leader finished with eight receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Branden Oliver didn’t have a typical Oliver type game but still finished with 102 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Overall, the night was a disappointment for Bulls fans. The final score was a lot closer than the actual contest on the field.

Anthone Taylor's three-yard touchdown run with 48 seconds left brought Buffalo within 10 at 51-41 but the Bulls failed to convert on a two-point conversion that would've extended the game.

The Bulls fall to 7-3 (5-1) but still have much to play for.

Despite the loss, Buffalo still controls there own destiny in the MAC East.

Bowling Green defeated Ohio 49-0 on Tuesday, putting the two teams in a tie for first place in the MAC East.

Regardless of how either team fares next week, the division crown will be decided Black Friday when the Falcons visit Ralph Wilson Stadium to take on the Bulls.

Buffalo will look to gain some positive momentum heading into their monumental MAC finale when they hit the road to Oxford to take on winless Miami next Tuesday.