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The Bulls knew they needed to play a perfect game to stay with Baylor but from the first time the defense gave up a fourth down conversion and Licata failed by inches to hit a long touchdown strike it was obvious that UB was not going to get that perfect effort.
The Bulls however did do enough in the second half to believe that their offense might be a problem for other teams in the Mid-American Conference.
| BAY 63 - UB 21 | BAY | BUFF |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 27 | 15 |
| 3rd down efficiency | 6-13 | 6-17 |
| 4th down efficiency | 3-4 | 1-3 |
| Total Yards | 669 | 394 |
| Passing | 480 | 255 |
| Comp-Att | 25-37 | 18-31 |
| Yards per pass | 13 | 8.2 |
| Rushing | 189 | 139 |
| Rushing Attempts | 41 | 39 |
| Yards per rush | 4.6 | 3.6 |
| Penalties | 5-40 | 8-59 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 1 |
| Possession | 24:56:00 | 35:04:00 |
Baylor took the opening kickoff and drove down the field for a touchdown. While the drive resulted in six points it was very "un-Baylor" like in that it required two third down conversions and a fourth down conversion. The Baylor offense which was completely unstoppable last season looked resistible for the first time.
On the ensuing Buffalo possession the Bulls facing third down drew Baylor in with the play action and Licata flung the ball long to a wide open Marcus McGill. The pass was perhaps a few centimeters too long and dribbled just off the outstretched fingers of the UB receiver.
After a punt pinned Baylor inside their own then the Bears used just two plays, a three yard run and 89 yard pass, to score. From that point on the first half belonged completely to Baylor.
The Bulls could do nothing right and Bryce Petty made up for his lost week by racking up stats on Buffalo. Before his day was over the Heisman hopeful passed for 416 yards and four touchdowns. He led the Bears, who were 35 point favorites, into the half with a 35-0 lead.
Buffalo came out in the second half determined to show they belonged on the field and for their part the UB offense was up to the task. UB got the first score of the half when Joe Licata hit Devon Hughes for a 41 yard touchdown pass. After Baylor scored quickly the Bulls' Anthone Taylor ran into the Baylor line and broke a tackle before bouncing to the outside and scoring his own 41 yard score.
Just like that UB was trading punches with the number eight team in the nation.
It did not last however as Baylor scored on their next three possessions, the first from Petty and then two more drives engineered by his backup; Seth Russel.
Buffalo would close the scoring on the game when Tony Daniel, in relief of Licata, led the Bulls on a nine play, 74 yard drive which culminated with a 17 yard pass which was nicely brought down by sophomore Malcolm Robinson.
The Bulls are now 1-2 after dropping games to Army and Baylor. They will host FCS-level Norfolk State next weekend before beginning conference play against Miami on the 27th.