UB finds answers in 37-20 win at Eastern Michigan

YPSILANTI, Mich. – This deep into the season, the University at Buffalo football team has no reason to take its foot off the gas and keep going.

Not when night games during the week are regularly about scoring high scores. Not when the possibility of a better bowl destination is at stake. Not if the Bulls have a chance to win their three night games in November. Not if they’re still looking for a spot in the Mid-American Conference title game.

And especially not when a team still playing for its own postseason hopes has nothing left to lose.

Al-Jay Henderson’s 75-yard touchdown catch with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter gave the Bulls the lead they needed in a 37-20 win over Eastern Michigan on Wednesday at Rynearson Stadium.

At that point, the Bulls (7-4, 5-2 MAC) led by just three points after former UB quarterback Cole Snyder – now Eastern’s starting quarterback – sparked a quick two-play drive and hit Markus Allen for a 78- Yards found touchdown that helped Eastern (5-6, 2-5) cut UB’s lead to 23-20 with 8:54 left in the fourth quarter.

But 11 seconds later, on UB’s first subsequent play from scrimmage, UB quarterback CJ Ogbonna connected with Henderson for a 75-yard touchdown – with 53 yards coming after the first catch – building UB’s lead after Upton Bellenfant’s point after the kick 30-20 out.

“The offense didn’t even bat an eyelid,” UB linebacker Shaun Dolac said of his team’s response.

The Bulls needed room to breathe. They got a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown from Dolac that gave them a 17-point lead with 2:59 left. But they were also reminded why resilience is so important, especially at this point in the season.

“It means we’ll never give up and we’ll always do our best, whether it’s the first, second, third, fourth or overtime,” said Henderson, who had 25 carries for 86 yards and a rushing touchdown.

They also know their place in the MAC pecking order. Miami (Ohio) and Ohio are tied for first place in the MAC at 6-1 in conference play, ahead of Bowling Green (5-1), which plays Ball State on Saturday, and UB (5-2). The top two teams in the MAC based on conference win percentage will earn spots in the MAC Championship Game on Dec. 7 at Ford Field in Detroit.

“Other teams are fighting for their football lives,” said Ogbonna, who threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns on 18 of 28 passes. “(Eastern Michigan), they’re trying to get bowl-eligible, so they’re fighting, and they weren’t going to get away easily. We had to keep our foot on the pedal and not let them come back.”

UB now has two wins in MACtion games, has won three games in a row and has three wins in November – before this season, the last time the Bulls won in November was in 2020. They also win night games, and UB closes the regular season on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at UB Stadium against Kent State, which has yet to win a game this season.

“Just the fact that we have a chance to win eight regular-season games tonight would give me a nice trip (to a bowl game) in December, but if we can win eight, who knows what in one “Happened this week?” said UB coach Pete Lembo. “Eight wins will probably give you an even nicer bowl game. There’s still a lot to play for.”

Lembo could also have a financial incentive; His contract calls for him to receive a $15,000 bonus if UB wins eight regular-season games.

But before the Bulls can consider bowl destinations like Boca Raton, Boise, Arizona or the Bahamas, they must finish the regular season on a high note, regardless of whether they make it to the MAC Championship Game.

“Anything can happen in the MAC, and you saw that tonight,” said Dolac, who had nine tackles and two interceptions on Wednesday. “Any team can beat any team and we have to keep doing what we are doing. We are currently 3-0 in November and are looking to go 4-0 this week against Kent State.

“We need to celebrate this win and get back to work because we only have a short week left.”