Buffalo Seals 13-10 Win in Overtime vs. Akron
In a season where victories were proving elusive for the University at Buffalo Bulls, their hunger for that coveted first win was palpable. On the other side, the Akron Zips, still nursing the wounds of a heart-wrenching quadruple overtime loss to Indiana, were determined to bounce back with a vengeance.
From the very beginning, Akron set the tone. Anderson-Drake's 1-yard pass from the dynamic DJ Irons, coupled with Wiley Owen's kick, culminated in a 12-play drive that covered an impressive 97 yards in just under 6 minutes. The Zips were on the board, leading 7-0.
But Buffalo, not to be outdone, responded in the second quarter. Cole Snyder found Boobie Curry with a 9-yard pass, and with Alex McNulty’s kick, the Bulls tied the game. The Zips, however, managed to pull ahead once more before halftime with Owen Wiley’s 38-yard field goal, making it 10-7 in favor of Akron.
The third quarter saw Buffalo's Alex McNulty leveling the score with a 43-yard field goal. With both teams locked at 10-10, the stage was set for an intense finish.
Overtime was where the real drama unfolded. McNulty Alex's 42-yard field goal put Buffalo ahead. But the defining moment came when Buffalo's Devin Grant blocked Akron's 47-yard field goal attempt, sealing the victory for the Bulls.
Key Takeaways from the Game:
Game statistics reflect an evenly matched contest. Buffalo secured 16 first downs to Akron's 15, and both teams were neck-and-neck in total offense with Buffalo gaining 254 yards and Akron achieving 253 yards.
Individual performances stood out. DJ Irons, Akron's quarterback, was particularly impressive in the first half, racking up 155 total yards. Unfortunately, an injury in the second half sidelined him.
On the defensive front, Devin Grant's 11 tackles for Buffalo and Bryan McCoy's 14 tackles for Akron were commendable. Grant's block in overtime was undoubtedly the game-changer. He also had a forced fumble. Max Michel registered four tackles, secured a sack, and made two tackles for loss, in addition to forcing and subsequently recovering a fumble that was a pivotal play in the game.
This win marked Buffalo's sixth consecutive victory over Akron, a streak the Bulls will undoubtedly take pride in. On the flip side, Akron, having previously lost a quadruple overtime match against Indiana, will be looking to bounce back in their next game against Northern Illinois on October 7th. Buffalo, riding high on this win, will face Central Michigan on the same day.