Eagles Fall in First MAC Road Game of the Season

Postgame Audio.

Matt and Rob Recap the Game.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) – In its first Mid-American Conference game away from the friendly confines of Rynearson Stadium, the Eastern Michigan University football team fell to the University at Buffalo, 42-14, Saturday, Oct. 5. With the loss, the Eagles drop to 1-4 (0-2 MAC) on the 2013 campaign while Buffalo improves to 3-2 (1-0 MAC) with its third straight victory.

Tyler Benz (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine Township South) started out hot, completing his first four passes for 44 yards before ending the contest 12-of-19 for 157 yards. Ryan Brumfield (Chester Springs, Pa.-Owen J. Robert) led the ground attack with 79 yards on only two carries, including a 75-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Like he has done all season long, Tyreese Russell (Chicago, Ill.-Walther Lutheran) recorded a team-high four catches for 55 yards.

Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata passed for a game-high 224 yards, going 15-of-22 through the air. Brandon Oliver rushed for 150 yards on 25 carries, finding the end zone on two separate occasions. Devin Campbell also recorded two touchdowns, including a 96-yard kickoff return. Alex Neutz caught four passes for 94 yards with a touchdown.

After EMU went three-and-out on its opening drive, the Bulls struck first, marching 77 yards in six plays. The drive was capped off by an Oliver 60-yard run down the sideline to give Buffalo the early 7-0 lead.

Buffalo increased its lead, taking advantage of a fumble by Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central). The EMU junior running back turned the ball over at the EMU 16-yard line, and Oliver found the end zone for the second time from two yards out. After the first 15 minutes of play, the Eagles found themselves trailing by a pair of touchdowns, 14-0.

Following an EMU turnover at the goal line, UB marched 99-yards to take a 21-0 lead. However, Benz and the EMU offense responded with a touchdown of their own. Hill scampered a season-long 41 yards to get the Eagles back in the red zone. Three plays later, Benz found Jay Jones (Palm Coast Fla.-Matanzas) on a 15-yard connection to put the Green and White on the board, cutting the deficit to two touchdowns, 21-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, a strange turn-of-events occurred as the Bulls returned the kick to the EMU 32-yard line. However, Head Coach Ron English saw the returner's knee touch the ground as he took the kick at the 16-yard line. English challenged the call on the field, and the play was overturned; however, an offside penalty on the Eagles allowed Buffalo to force a re-kick. The decision turned out to be a good one for the Bulls as Campbell found a hole to sprint 96 yards to the end zone, putting Buffalo back up 21 points, 28-7, with 4:18 remaining in the opening half.

Benz was 10-of-16 through the air for 114 in the first half, throwing on touchdown pass as well as an interception. The redshirt junior quarterback connected with six different receivers in the opening 30 minutes. Hill led the rushing attack, tallying 48 yards on 10 carries. Buffalo was led on offense by Oliver's 107 yards on 17 carries, including two touchdowns. For the Bulls, Licata completed 8-of-14 passes for 113 yards.

After another Buffalo touchdown, the Eagles marched down the field and into UB territory courtesy of two catches by Russell for 43 yards. However, Dylan Mulder's (Saline, Mich.-Saline) 45-yard field goal, which would have been a career-long, sailed wide right.

In the last possession of the ball game, Brumfield found a crease, dashing 75 yards to the house for the Eagles' longest play from scrimmage this season. Mulder split the uprights on the point after try with 1:29 left in the game, completing the game scoring, 42-14.

Next week, the Eagles will wrap up its non-conference slate, traveling back to New York to face the Army Black Knights. Kickoff from West Point is scheduled for 12:06 p.m. with the contest televised on CBS Sports Network.

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Team Stats

Tyler Benz

Brogan Roback

Eastern Michigan Athletics