Buffalo's defense entered Toledo on Tuesday night allowing only 274.8 total yards per game and 88.4 rushing yards per game in Mid-American Conference play.
The Rockets totaled 229 yards and 103 rushing yards on UB in the first quarter.
The Bulls were unable to expand their win streak to a school record eight games, and the Rockets (7-3, 5-1 MAC) defeated Buffalo (7-3, 5-1 MAC) 51-41 on Tuesday night at Glass Bowl. The Bulls exploded in the second half to make it a respectable game after they had gone down 38-0 early in the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Joe Licata had a career game, setting the program record with 497 yards passing and a career-high four passing touchdowns.
It was a tale of two halves - as the Bulls were outscored 31-0 in the first half, but outscored the Rockets 41-20 in the final 30 minutes. The Bulls outgained Toledo 602-548; Buffalo was outgained from scrimmage 350-135 in the first half.
It was the most yards Buffalo has given up in the first half since Week Two at Baylor and the fewest offensive first half yards the offense has totaled since Week One at Ohio State.
"They caught us off balance early with their high-tempo offense and we didn't respond quick enough and they took advantage of it," said senior cornerback Najja Johnson.
Even with Toledo's leading rusher (David Fluellen) inactive, Buffalo was powerless to contain the Rockets' ground game throughout the first half. The Rockets totaled 205 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes.
Buffalo began the game with a three-and-out, and the Rockets scored three plays later when quarterback Terrance Owens found wide receiver Bernard Reedy running free down the middle of the field for a 59-yard touchdown.
In Toledo's next possession, Owens and Reedy hooked up again for 34 of Reedy's 149 receiving yards, leading to a four-yard touchdown run by Owens and a 14-0 lead.
Running back Damion Jones-Moore had a career-best 53-yard run for the third score of the game and Kareem Hunt punched in the fourth score of the evening with a 15-yard rush.
The Rockets finished the first half leading 31-0 after a failed 'hook and ladder' play involving multiple laterals and a Buffalo fumble. Toledo recovered the ball and kicked a 32-yard field goal before the half.
Senior running back Branden Oliver was held to only 24 yards on 12 first-half carries and Licata went 12 for 22 for 115 yards. Buffalo had more three-and-outs (four) than converted third-down attempts (three).
The second half didn't start off any better for the Buffalo 'D.'
After Owens and Reedy connected for their second touchdown of the game greater than 50 yards to expand the Toledo lead to 38-0, the Buffalo offense took over.
Buffalo finally got on the scoreboard in the next possession when Licata found senior wide receiver Fred Lee for a 19-yard touchdown. Oliver capped off a 90-yard Buffalo drive on the Bulls' next possession with a six-yard touchdown run.
"We are a confident group of guys, so no matter how many points we are down, we feel like we can come back and score," Licata said.
Licata's record 497 yards included 382 yards in the second half. Licata had four touchdowns and has still thrown for a touchdown in every contest this season.
He and senior receiver Alex Neutz connected often in the second half to bring UB back into the game. Neutz had his third 100-yard performance of the season with eight receptions for 168 yards and two scores. He moved into sole possession of first place in program history with 30 career touchdown catches.
Oliver finished with 102 yards and recorded his 18th career 100-yard game. It was also the sixth straight game Oliver has rushed for over 100 yards.
Owens finished the game 11 for 20 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Hunt led the Toledo ground attack with 186 of its 317 yards. Four different rushers found the end zone for the Rockets' four rushing touchdowns.
"At the end of the day, we didn't accomplish what we wanted to achieve and we have no excuses," said head coach Jeff Quinn. "I tip my hat to Toledo."
Senior linebacker Khalil Mack recorded two tackles for a loss to move to second place in NCAA history with 69.5 - 5.5 behind the record of 75. Sophomore running back Anthone Taylor had his third touchdown of the season and senior tight end Jimmy Gordon had his third career touchdown for the Bulls.
With Bowling Green's (7-3, 5-1 MAC) 49-0 victory over Ohio (6-4, 3-3 MAC), Bowling Green and UB now share first place in the MAC East. The Bulls travel to Miami Ohio (0-9, 0-5 MAC) and the Falcons travel to Eastern Michigan (2-8, 1-5) next.
If both teams emerge victorious, it will set up a 'winner take all' matchup for the MAC East Championship and a trip to the MAC Championship game when the two meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the final game of the season on Friday, Nov. 29.
Before this, the Bulls must get past the RedHawks. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
Photo: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
