1. Buffalo’s defense showed up
The University at Buffalo’s defense did more than enough to win despite the Bulls’ 21-17 loss. UB (2-2, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) shut out Troy (2-2) for 3½ quarters. The Bulls’ Keontez Bradley broke up a pass in the end zone one play before Tae Meadows’ 20-yard rushing touchdown allowed the Trojans to take a 21-17 lead with 45 seconds left. While Troy used two backup quarterbacks to replace injured star Goose Crowder, the Bulls’ defense collected six of its seven sacks in the first half. Dion Crawford collected two sacks. Devin Morgan recorded 1½ sacks. Red Murdock, Crawford, Miles Greer and Junior Poyser each collected a solo sack. When Troy tried to get fancy with a trick play, cornerback Jalen McNair intercepted a pass intended for receiver RaRa Thomas in the third quarter. Murdock recovered one of the two fumbles he forced, improving his career forced fumbles total to 13 to inch closer to Khalil Mack’s program record of 16.
2. Buffalo’s own quarterback problems
UB led 7-0 when Ta’Quan Roberson left the game early in the third quarter with an apparent injury. Gunnar Gray replaced him. Buffalo engineered a touchdown drive as Al-Jay Henderson scored from 22 yards out, but it was the result of a short field. Jack Howes’ 39-yard field goal extended UB’s lead to 17-0, but Troy scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull within Buffalo 17-14 with 5:45 remaining. Gray engineered a drive inside Troy’s 30-yard line with eight seconds left, but his potential game-winning touchdown pass to receiver Chance Morrow was broken up in the end zone.
3. Next: Home vs. UConn
The Bulls will host the Huskies (2-2) for a nonconference tilt at 3:30 p.m. next Saturday at UB Stadium. It will be Buffalo’s second of three straight home games. Coach Jim L. Mora’s UConn Huskies, an independent program, defeated UB’s MAC foe Ball State 31-25 on Saturday.
– Marquel Slaughter
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Marquel Slaughter
College sports reporter
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