There was little to no hesitation from an offense that produced 403 yards, including 208 rushing yards in a 30-13 win against Lafayette in the season opener Thursday at UB Stadium.
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Buffalo Bulls wide receiver Nik McMillan (3) makes a touchdown catch while defended by Lafayette Leopards defensive back Gabe DuBois (25) during the first quarter at UB Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
What we learned
UB quarterback C.J. Ogbonna steered a mobile, versatile and balanced offense, and even though he had a few bobbles, including a fumble on second-and-6 from the Lafayette 5 that went out of bounds, he stayed composed in his first start since 2021, when he was at FCS Southeast Missouri State. Ogbonna went pass-first (195 yards, two touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing), connecting with Nik McMillan and Taji Johnson for touchdowns, and left the running to backs Jacqez Barksdale, Al-Jay Henderson and Lamar Sperling, who combined for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
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UB’s defense was in midseason form, making three big stops, including two that forced Lafayette to turn over the ball on downs. Special teams, though, were an issue. Five minutes into the third quarter, Lafayette blocked a UB punt, which set up the Leopards' lone touchdown on a trick play. UB kicker Nick Reed missed a 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Later, with the Bulls holding a 10-point lead, Mark-Anthony Scott fumbled a kickoff return, which was recovered by the Leopards' Ian Langan at the UB 18. The Bulls were lucky on that one, as Lafayette's Jack Simonetta missed a 31-yard field goal attempt.
Final thoughts
UB notched its first win against an FCS opponent since 2021, and Lembo got his first win as UB’s coach — 22 years to the day after he led Lehigh to a win over the Bulls. UB did well on short fields to produce scoring drives, but not so well when it had to start from deep in its own end. However, as the game went on, Ogbonna gained a stronger command of the offense and got a boost from Jacqez Barksdale, who came off the bench to ran for 99 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, and produced big-gain plays on the ground.
What’s next
UB (1-0) plays at No. 11 Missouri at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 in Columbia, Mo.
