Disastrous second quarter downs Buffalo’s title hopes.

It only took about two minutes for Ball State to goo from “fighting to keep up with Buffalo” to “watching the Bulls fall flat on their face”. Late in the second quarter, with the game tied 21 all, and Ball State facing a 3rd and long, a UB defender fell down allowing BSU to open up a 28-21 lead.

On the next drive Ball State got to Kyle Vantrease, striped the ball away, and returned it for a touchdown.

Just like that UB went into the half down 35-21, and Ball state was set to receive. A long grinding field goal drive later Ball State put the Bulls down 38-21.

A 28 point second quarter loomed large over Buffalo and a long drive to open the 3rd followed by a field goal put UB down 17.

UB attempted a comeback. The defense started to slow down the cards, and Kevin Marks ripped off a long touchdown but Ball State’s defense was solid enough to keep a lid on what had been one of the most explosive teams in the conference.

The Bulls would drive near the redzone early in the fourth quarter, with a chance to pull to within a score, but Marks was unable to bring in a pass on 4th and two. Ball State’s offense then marched down the field, eating clock.

No points came from the Ball State drive but they flipped the field, ate 4 minutes of clock, and forced UB to expend all their timeouts. A pooh punt put UB at their own 4 yard line with under five left and no timeouts.

This is the second time in three years Buffalo got to Detroit, and the second time the Bulls have fallen short.

UB can end their season on a winning note with a victory in a bowl game.