The University at Buffalo football team notched a gritty 28-24 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon at UB Stadium, keeping their Mid-American Conference hopes alive amid a season of uneven starts. Buffalo, now 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the MAC, leaned on a stout defense that sacked EMU quarterback Noah Kim three times, forcing two crucial turnovers in the second half that shifted the momentum decisively.
Indeed, the Bulls' running game sparked early, with Al-Jay Henderson bulldozing for 112 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries—his best outing yet this year. Henderson's burst up the middle in the third quarter put Buffalo ahead 21-17, a lead they wouldn't relinquish despite Eastern Michigan's late rally. The Eagles, struggling at 1-5 and 0-2 in conference play, managed 351 passing yards from Kim but couldn't overcome their own penalties, which totaled 95 yards and seemed to deflate their drive every time they gained traction.
However, Buffalo's offense wasn't flawless; quarterback C.J. Ogbonna threw for 220 yards and two scores but also coughed up an interception that EMU nearly turned into points. The Bulls' special teams unit, often overlooked, stepped up with a 45-yard punt return by JJ Jenkins that set up a field goal just before halftime. Eastern Michigan's defense, plagued by injuries, allowed Buffalo to convert 7 of 13 third downs, a stark contrast to their earlier shutout losses.
Moreover, this win marks Buffalo's third straight home victory dating back to last season, a trend that coach Pete Lembo credits to improved depth on the lines. Yet, the game exposed lingering issues for both teams—EMU's inability to protect their passer, Buffalo's occasional lapses in coverage. As the MAC season heats up, these MACtion battles underscore how small edges define the grind.
In the end, Saturday's clash leaves fans pondering whether Buffalo can sustain this defensive fire or if Eastern Michigan's woes signal deeper troubles ahead.