The vibe around UB Stadium has been different this season; seemingly everybody has noticed it. A new quarterback, a better offensive line, and a few defensive playmakers tend to make life a little bit happier.
On Saturday night, the Bulls (1-2, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) were just over six minutes away from securing a comeback victory that would have removed the lingering hangover from last season.
But on the final drive in a game they led by four points, the Bulls couldn't stop Ball State
(2-1, 1-0 MAC) on fourth down – twice.
The Cardinals got the ball after what felt like a predestined turning point for the Bulls. After being dominated for most of the first half, the team captured the lead for the first time since the first quarter.
The feeling didn't last long.
Ball State methodically marched down the field into Buffalo territory on the ensuing drive. On fourth-down and 14 yards to go at Buffalo's 37-yard line, victory seemed within the Bulls' grasp.
Ball State quarterback Keith Wenning dropped back to pass and found Cardinals wide receiver Briggs Orsbon. Bulls fans have seen this movie before. Against Bowling Green last season, Buffalo led going into the fourth quarter, only to allow 13 unanswered points to fall late in the game.
The Bulls forced Ball State into another fourth down situation deep in their own territory, and once again failed to make the stop. Sophomore linebacker Khalil Mack came off the edge for a potential game-clinching sack, but running back Jahwan Edwards' last second cut block on Mack gave Wenning just enough time to find wide receiver Jamill Smith for another conversion.
Wenning would cap off his 226-yard, two-touchdown performance with a four-yard touchdown pass to Ball State wide receiver Willie Snead. The touchdown came with 29 seconds remaining in the ballgame, and the Bulls' offense couldn't muster any magic in the game's final seconds.
Mack had a career-high 11 tackles on the night. The two-time MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week lamented on the defense's missed opportunities.
"It's a heartbreaker," Mack said. "They're a good team, but at the same time we had a lot of mistakes tonight and we have to bounce back from this loss."
On the game's first drive, senior wide receiver Terrell Jackson took a handoff from senior quarterback Chazz Anderson and tossed the ball 27 yards to senior wide receiver Marcus Rivers to open up the scoring.
Things went downhill from there.
After allowing three unanswered touchdowns, the Bulls trailed 21-7.
The combination of senior quarterback Chazz Anderson and sophomore running back Branden Oliver brought the Bulls storming back in the second half.
It appeared the Cardinals were doomed for defeat after the Bulls posted 18 unanswered points.
But the Bulls never could recover from a poorly played first half. Their offense looked anemic after the opening 60-yard scoring drive, as they totaled just 109 yards of offense in the first half.
The Bulls' defense could not make up for the offense's lackadaisical play. The defense was exploited in nearly every play during the half. Ball State consistently found holes in coverage and took advantage.
Head coach Jeff Quinn was highly critical of his team's slow start.
"I didn't feel like we were playing nearly at the level we were capable of playing in the first half," Quinn said. "I told them at the end of the game that we did not play four quarters of football tonight and the end result showed it."
Oliver turned in another outstanding performance, running for 118 yards in the loss. His third quarter, 10-yard touchdown run was the fifth of the season for the Bulls featured tailback.
Senior kicker Peter Fardon had the extra point blocked after Oliver's touchdown, which loomed large for the Bulls for the remainder of the game. They would have to attempt a two-point conversion after the following two touchdowns, with neither one being successful. The three points lost proved to be the difference in the game.
Anderson finished the game with 149 yards passing and 59 yards rushing. He scored a touchdown through the air and on the ground. He cited Buffalo's below-average first half play as the key factor in the loss.
"When you score early like we did, you have to stay poised and continue to play great football," Anderson said. "That's what we didn't do offensively. We hurt ourselves."
The Bulls will head back to UB Stadium to face Connecticut (1-2) this Saturday for homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
Photo: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
