Buffalo Bulls Football surges in second half, defeats Toledo, 31-17

UB Football used a second-half surge to pick up a huge 31-17 road win against Toledo at the Glass Bowl on Saturday. The victory, which brings UB to a 7-1 overall record, almost certainly guarantees the Bulls a trip to a bowl game in the postseason.

Buffalo’s first half was some of the worst football they’ve played all season. Tyree Jackson looked ineffective and the Bulls couldn’t put together a lengthy drive. In no time at all, the momentum was heading in Toledo’s direction.

A Tyree Jackson pass was intercepted with 6:12 left in the first quarter and Toledo followed that with a three-play drive, capped off with a 70-yard rushing touchdown by Bryant Koback, to grab the early advantage.

The only thing that kept the Bulls in the hunt during a half that saw Jackson throw an abysmal three interceptions was a 34-yard Anthony Johnson touchdown. Toledo, however, kept trucking, and went into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.

The second half wasn’t perfect, but the execution and play calling was better than the first. An Adam Mitcheson field goal early in the third quarter brought UB back within a possession, which considering how rough of a start the offense had, was quite the gift for Buffalo.

After a strong 20-yard punt return from KJ Osborn later in the quarter, Buffalo showed off the explosive side to its offense. The Bulls were able to reach the end zone with one pass to Anthony Johnson and tie up the game. Somehow, all of the momentum that Toledo built throughout the game was gone.

Buffalo floored the gas pedal from there with a rushing attack. Jaret Patterson continued his relentless freshman campaign to drive in two touchdowns from the ground, the first being a 6-yard effort with 12:55 left in the fourth, and the other being a 25-yard carving in the closing minutes.

Patterson closed the day out with 90 yards. Other UB players that had big days were KJ Osborn (90 Receiving Yards) and Anthony Johnson (83 yards, 2 TD), who was sorely missed in past weeks due to his hamstring injury. It’s hard to say the Bulls win this one without him back in the lineup.

Tyree Jackson, who’s 6-7 and 245 pounds if you didn’t know, finished the afternoon 25-46 with 326 yards. Unfortunately, his stat line also carries two bad blemishes: The three aforementioned interceptions and 5 sacks. Jackson was only sacked once this season coming into this game.

Buffalo now gets a little break from action. The next game will be on Tuesday, October 30 when they take on an underrated Miami team, who just lost to Army by a single point in overtime. That game will be aired on national TV, either on ESPN2 or ESPNU.