Buffalo Win in Thrilling Shootout, Eastern Michigan Eye Bowl Eligibility
Buffalo Bulls vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles: MAC Showdown with Bowl Eligibility at Stake
MACtion returns with a crucial Mid-American Conference showdown on Tuesday as the Buffalo Bulls (6-4, 4-2 MAC) face off against the Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-5, 2-4 MAC) at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti. Both teams have a lot at stake, with Buffalo aiming to continue their solid conference play and Eastern Michigan desperate for a win to secure bowl eligibility.
In last year’s meeting, Eastern Michigan emerged victorious, defeating Buffalo 24-11 on the road. Both teams come into this matchup with recent momentum, though Buffalo is coming off a thrilling 51-48 victory over Ball State. Eastern Michigan, on the other hand, lost 35-10 to Ohio in their most recent outing, despite a solid performance from quarterback Cole Snyder.
Buffalo Bulls: High-Octane Offense in Shootout Victory
Buffalo has been involved in some of the most exciting games in the MAC this season, and their 51-48 win over Ball State last Tuesday was no exception. Despite turning the ball over three times and being outgained by 50 yards, Buffalo managed to outlast Ball State in a thrilling shootout. The game ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback CJ Ogbonna to Lamar Sperling as time expired, securing the victory.
With a 4-2 record in conference play, the Bulls sit in a solid position in the MAC standings, but their defense remains a concern. Buffalo ranks 81st nationally in scoring, averaging 26.9 points per game, while their defense allows 30.9 points per game, ranking 105th. The Bulls’ offense has been dynamic but inconsistent, with Ogbonna, a senior in his first year as starting quarterback, leading the charge. Ogbonna has thrown for 1,791 yards, with a 55.8% completion rate, 12 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. His rushing ability (221 yards) adds a dual-threat element to Buffalo’s offense.
The Bulls’ top rusher is Al-Jay Henderson, who has amassed 688 yards and six touchdowns on the season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Henderson was particularly impressive last week against Ball State, rushing for 126 yards. On the receiving end, Victor Snow leads the team with 39 catches for 498 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, Buffalo has been anchored by linebackers Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock, who rank 1st and 2nd in the nation in tackles, with Dolac having an impressive 137 stops. As a team, Buffalo has 18 sacks, led by edge rusher Kobe Stewart (7.5 sacks), and has intercepted eight passes, with Dolac contributing three.
Eastern Michigan Eagles: Aiming for Bowl Eligibility
Eastern Michigan enters this contest with a 5-5 record and needs one more win to become bowl eligible. However, the Eagles are in a tough position with a 2-4 mark in the MAC, having lost their last three games, including a disappointing 35-10 loss to Ohio. In that game, quarterback Cole Snyder threw for just 155 yards and tossed three interceptions, limiting the Eagles’ chances of upsetting the Bobcats.
Snyder, who previously played for Buffalo in the past two seasons, will be facing his former team in a crucial game for both his future and Eastern Michigan’s postseason aspirations. This season, Snyder has passed for 2,242 yards, with a 60.2% completion rate, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He has also contributed 297 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
In the backfield, Delbert Mims III has been the Eagles’ top rusher, tallying 629 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Mims ran for 71 yards in last week’s loss to Ohio. The Eagles’ top receiving target is Oran Singleton, a 5’9″ junior who leads the team with 62 receptions, 627 yards, and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Eastern Michigan has struggled to stop opponents, ranking 85th nationally in points allowed (27.2 per game). The Eagles have 21 sacks on the season, with Peyton Price leading the team with 4.5 sacks. Luke Murphy, their top tackler, has 70 stops and one of the team’s four interceptions. The defense will need to step up against Buffalo’s potent offense if the Eagles hope to keep their bowl hopes alive.
Conclusion
With both teams facing pivotal moments in their seasons, this MAC showdown between the Buffalo Bulls and Eastern Michigan Eagles promises to be a thrilling contest. Buffalo, with its high-powered offense and questionable defense, will look to extend their strong conference play, while Eastern Michigan will try to stave off a disappointing finish and secure a bowl berth. With playoff hopes on the line, fans can expect a high-energy game filled with big plays, key turnovers, and crucial decisions.
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