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99 for 99 - #38 - 700th Game

A gripping win over Lafayette or a crushing defeat at Ohio?

ubathletics.buffalo.edu

99 for 99 takes a look at the 99 biggest moments in UB Football history during this season, the 99th Season of UB Football. These moments are not in any order, however the top 10 moments have been saved for last.

NOTE: When I started 99 for 99, I used UB's official record book as my guide. As I researched stories, I found certain inaccuracies, but I had neither the resources nor the time to re-write or edit the official record book on my own. Maybe someday UB Bull Run or UB Athletics will, but for now it is what it is.

In this case, the UB record book has us winning our 700th game. However when you count all the games listed in the record book, I get us losing our 700th game. Generally, we've had a mix between what I could research and what is in the UB Record Books, today because losing our 700th game isn't a great moment, (and because I already wrote about the Lafayette game before I decided to count them all out), I'm just going to give you both games and let you decide which one you like better.

Buffalo Bulls Win-Loss Record
Rank Start End Games Wins Win %
1 1936 1951 201-300 54 55%
2 1951 1963 301-400 51 52%
3 1984 1922 0-100 45 51.1%
4 1980 1989 501-600 51 51%
5 1963 1980 401-500 47 49%
6 2007 present 801-852 19 36%
7 1989 1999 601-700 30 30%
8 1922 1936 101-200 27 29%
9 1999 2007 701-800 17 17%

September 19, 1998 - Buffalo 16, Lafayette 14 - Buffalo Wins 700th Game in School History

Buffalo defeated Delaware State 40-30 early in 1997, they then went on to lose 9 in a row. As UB closed in on their 700th football game, Buffalo broke the losing streak with a 40-17 win over Lock Haven. The following week, the Bulls played game 700 against Lafayette.

Buffalo took the early lead over Lafayette on a David Hinson touchdown run, but they trailed 14-10 at halftime. The defense stiffened up in the second half, and UB pulled within 1 on a 34-yard field goal by Scott Keller in the third quarter. A 20-yard return by Drew Haddad set Buffalo up at the 29 and with 1 minute left in the game, Keller hit a 29-yard field goal to give Buffalo the 16-14 lead. Lafayette stormed back down the field to the 24-yard line, but Brian Mencola missed a 41-yard field goal as time expired and Buffalo escaped with the win and Buffalo's first two game winning streak in over a year.

September 25, 1999 - Buffalo 6, Ohio 45 - Buffalo Loses 700th Game in School History

Between game 600 and 700, UB football won only 30 games, the lowest amount since the depression. Buffalo, Division 1-A's newest team, knew 1999 would be rough. Coach Cirbus looked less to win but more for reasons to believe the next 100 games of UB football would bring success at football's highest level.

The Ohio game gave UB fans hope, Buffalo for the first time in D-1A, had a lead, 3-0 on a Scott Keller field goal. Another reason for hope, Drew Haddad caught eight passes for 140 yards, proving that his game could translate to the 1-A level. However the gleams of hope were few and far between. After trading field goals to the tune of a 6-6 tie, Ohio scored 39 unanswered points to rout the Bulls.

100 disappointing games, was the down payment for a team that over-accelerated into division 1-A football. One could only hope that the next 100 games would make it all worth it. Unfortunately, the next 100 games of UB football would be the worst in UB history, the climb up to respectability would take longer than anyone could have imagined.