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UB fans know how to lose.
We've lost enough for a lifetime.
But we have rarely lost like this as a FBS team. A good team suffering a bad loss.
But we've had 7 similar losses that remind us that it will all be ok.
#8 November 28, 2008 - Kent State 24, Buffalo 21
via www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu
What Happened?
After clinching the MAC East the previous week, Buffalo is robbed of a 6-game winning streak by a 4-7 Kent team at home. The game was highlighted by Julian Edelman "Quarterbacking" Kent to victory and Brett Hamlin's shocking fumble at the 1-yard line that clinched the Kent win.
What Happened After?
Buffalo went ahead and shocked the world the next week, defeating the #12 Ball State Cardinals in the MAC Championship Game.
Lesson for 2013
The Ultimate goal is the Championship. Buffalo controls their own destiny at home, 15 days from today against Bowling Green. Win that game, and no one will care about what happened in Toledo.
#7 November 12, 2013 - Toledo 51, Buffalo 41
What Happened?
Toledo scored the first 38 points. UB went on a 41-13 run after that, the highest amount of points I think I've ever described as "too little, too late"
What Happened After?
Same thing that would have happened if UB had won, a game against BGSU for all the marbles in the East. Result TBD.
Lesson for 2013
This wasn't so bad, there are 6 more heartbreaking losses on this list.
#6 September 27, 2008 - Central Michigan 27, Buffalo 25
via www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu
What Happened?
Down 9 with 3 minutes to go, UB scored a TD and recovered an onside kick. Down only 2, UB attempted a game winning 46-yard field goal to beat the back-to-back MAC Champions on the road. The kick had the distance, but it hit the upright and fell no good.
What Happened After?
Much like Tuesday night's Toledo game, the CMU game was a benchmark to see if Buffalo was "for real." Although Buffalo stumbled during the practice test in Mt. Pleasant, the Bulls aced the real thing against Ball State later that year.
Lesson for 2013
Although we test ourselves in big games, only one game can make a season, the championship game. Learn from big losses to prepare for the big win.
#5 November 3, 2009 - Bowling Green 30, Buffalo 29
What Happened?
Both the Bulls and the Falcons started the season 1-4, but came into the game at 3-5. The winner would help their chances at bowl eligibility, and the loser would be on the brink of ineligibility. Buffalo took a 29-16 lead, but lost with 39 seconds left when BGSU's best receiver (maybe ever) Freddie Barnes was left alone behind the Buffalo defense in the end zone.
What Happened After?
Buffalo finished one game short of bowl eligibility, while BGSU won 3 more after the Buffalo game, finished 7-5 and earned a birth to the Potato Bowl.
Lesson for 2013
Beat BGSU, beat them badly, and never take the foot off the gas.
#4 October 24, 2009 - Western Michigan 34, Buffalo 31 OT
via www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu
What Happened?
Branded Bull's favorite Ike Nduka ran 18 times for 172 yards (9.6 ypc!) and 3 TDs and AJ Principe sent the game into OT with a last second field goal. UB went with John Rachuna for a 43 yard field goal in OT that was missed and WMU kicked a field goal to win the game.
What Happened After?
Buffalo came into the game 3-4 riding a 2-game winning streak. The WMU game was the start of a 3 game skid that eliminated the Bulls from bowl eligibility.
Lesson for 2013
You have to trust your stars. We should have run Ike more and let AJ kick in OT. We need to trust our stars in 2013, Licata, Neutz, BO, Mack, Way and company will take us where we need to go.
#3 October 11, 2008 - Western Michigan 34, Buffalo 28 OT
via www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu
What Happened?
Behind 3 James Starks TDs including a 66 yard run, Buffalo took a 21-3 lead and looked the part of a contender in the MAC. Then WMU scored 3 TDs in the final 10 minutes to send the game into overtime. Drew Willy was intercepted on the first possession, and WMU scored to win the game.
What Happened After?
At 2-4 (1-2), but seconds away from being 4-2 (3-0), it seemed UB missed it's best chance at winning the MAC. However UB won their next 5 in a row and clinched the MAC East.
Lesson for 2013
The darkest night is just before the dawn. Out of adversity comes triumph. UB can build on the Toledo loss and recover the dream season.
#2 November 10, 2009 - Ohio 27, Buffalo 24
via www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu
What Happened?
The 6-3 (4-1) Bobcats came into town to face the 3-6 (1-4) Bulls. UB had lost 3 MAC games by a total of 11 points. Win those games, and this is a MAC East battle between 6-3 (4-1) teams. UB came prepared for battle, matching every Ohio score behind 3 TDs by Naaman Roosevelt. However, Ohio scored last, a game winning field goal with 85 seconds remaining.
What Happened After?
Buffalo eliminated from bowl contention naturally won their last two games. Ohio beat Temple and won the MAC East, only to fall to Central Michigan.
Lesson for 2013
If you lose, might as well Fleck up your enemies. Losing to Ohio prevented Temple from going to the MACCG and presented Ohio as lambs to the CMU slaughter. Even if we lose to BGSU, we took down Ohio and we present the Falcons to NIU as a sacrifice.
#1 November 3, 2007 - Miami 31, Buffalo 28
via www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu
What Happened?
4-5 (2-1) Miami faced off against 4-5 (4-0) Buffalo. With Bowling Green at 3-2 in division, Buffalo could essentially clinch the MAC East with a win over Miami and pull within one win from bowl eligibility. Tied at 17 at the half, Miami took a 31-20 lead into the 4th. UB brought the score within 3 and could not tie it.
What Happened After?
Buffalo lost the following week to Bowling Green, which after a surprising Miami loss to Ohio earned Bowling Green, Buffalo and Miami the tie for first place in the MAC East. Miami went to Detroit based on head to head wins over both Buffalo and Bowling Green. Had Buffalo defeated Miami, they would have been MAC East Champions and bowl eligible.
Lesson for 2013
The 2007 team learned from their mistakes and finished strong in 2008. The 2012 team also experienced a crushing loss against Toledo, but then regained composure to win 3 in a row before falling to Bowling Green. Hopefully the 2013 team learned from that experience to both recover in time to defeat Miami and then beat Bowling Green.