Bulls survive, 51-42, in offensive shootout against surging Miami RedHawks

Buffalo Football’s dream season continues as the Bulls took down a surging Miami RedHawks team, 51-42, on Tuesday night at UB Stadium. The game was highlighted by an exceptional performance by star wide-out Anthony Johnson.

Johnson’s dominating day began after Tyree Jackson threw a 75-yard bomb his way just minutes into the first quarter. The touchdown was an equalizing effort after Miami’s blazing start with an uptempo offense, which led to an opening-drive touchdown.

After being apart of a key touchdown drive with a 27-yard reception, Johnson then knotted up the game again with a 20-yard touchdown reception to make it 21 apiece.

Miami was giving Buffalo all they could on offense, as Kenny Young and Jack Sorenson really opened up the RedHawks’ rushing attack thanks to their success from the air. Despite struggling on defense, however, UB managed to go into the locker room with a 28-21 lead off the heels of a pair of Jackson rushing-touchdowns.

It’s not uncommon for a high-scoring first half to be followed with a defensive battle of a second in college football, but this didn’t happen because MACtion. UB and Miami kept trading touchdowns throughout the third quarter as Young and Smith answered scores by the Johnson-Jackson Bulls duo.

Entering the fourth quarter, each team was grid-locked at 42 points and UB’s running backs were taking over, specifically Jaret Patterson, the team’s freshman phenom. After a 25-yard reception from Zac Lefebvre, Patterson punched in a touchdown from the four yard-line to put up the Bulls for good.

The score from Patterson did give the Bulls a scare, however, when Adam Mitcheson muffed the PAT for the fourteenth time of his career. At 48-42, Miami had a chance to win the game by a single point. Luckily for UB, Mitcheson redeemed himself on the next Bulls drive and nailed a 37-yard field goal.

Johnson finished the night with a whopping 238 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. His yardage is the highest in a single UB game in program history.

Patterson and Jackson were the other two player that lit up the box score. Patterson finished the night with 96 yards and a touchdown, while Jackson had six total touchdowns on 20-34 passing for 358 yards.

Buffalo now moves to 8-1 on the year, with their only blemish coming to a strong Army squad. The Bulls will return to action next Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. home matchup with Kent State.