UB's C.J. Ogbonna throws for season-best 309 yards in loss to Western Michigan
C.J. Ogbonna found his rhythm in a high-scoring, fast-paced affair. Once he settled into the groove, he didn’t stop throwing, or finding receivers, and the consistency finally produced Ogbonna’s most productive game as UB’s starting quarterback.
C.J. Ogbonna found his rhythm in a high-scoring, fast-paced affair against Western Michigan on Saturday. Once he settled into a groove, he didn’t stop throwing, or finding receivers. The consistency ultimately led to Ogbonna’s most productive game as UB’s starting quarterback.
Ogbonna completed 22 of 34 passes for a career-best 309 yards, along with two touchdowns in the University at Buffalo’s 48-41 loss at UB Stadium. His numbers almost came out of necessity. The Bulls and Broncos combined for 1,040 yards in a game that was better suited for a midweek November #MACtion game on ESPN, not a Saturday afternoon contest on a digital platform.
Bulls quarterback C.J. Ogbonna, looking for a receiver against Western Michigan at UB Stadium on Saturday, completed 22 of 34 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
The Bulls finished with a season-high 551 yards (309 passing and 242 rushing). UB’s previous offensive high (403 yards) came in its season opener Aug. 29, a 30-13 win against Lafayette: 208 rushing yards and 195 passing yards. UB also ran for 230 yards and threw for 127 yards in a 30-15 win against Toledo on Oct. 12.
“We had to just keep executing little plays and not having any unforced errors,” Ogbonna said. “We put a few balls on the ground in the beginning, but we had to get back to what we were good at, and take it play by play.”
UB’s next challenge is to sustain that pace, especially as it pursues bowl eligibility and a spot among the Mid-American Conference’s top teams. The top two teams on the basis of conference winning percentage earn berths in the MAC championship game Dec. 7 in Detroit.
No passing fancy
UB’s defense has allowed an average of 235 yards passing in UB’s first six games this season. Western Michigan, one of the more efficient passing teams in the MAC, exceeded that average.The Broncos had 202 passing yards in the first half en route to a 28-17 halftime lead. Quarterback Hayden Wolff (20 for 31 passing, 280 yards, three touchdowns) found open receivers and open space against the Bulls. His favorite target in the first half was tight end Blake Bosma, who had three touchdowns before halftime, finishing with 85 yards on six catches.
Western Michigan, though, had only 78 yards on six completions (12 attempts) in the second half.
“We just tightened up a lot in coverage,” UB coach Pete Lembo said. “They won some 1-on-1s in the first half, and we were able to win some in the second half, and that’s what it comes down to on some of those shot plays. (Cornerback) Charles McCartherens is a good example. They got him early, and then in the second half, he made a couple of those plays that we needed him to make.”
Still, playing in a high-scoring, pass-happy affair became a lesson for UB.
“You’ve got to learn how to execute, stay on top of routes, keep it inside and in front and go back to your training,” UB safety Marcus Fuqua said. “That’s all it really comes down to. Going back to your training and trusting the technique and trusting what the coaches tell you.”
Special teams struggle again
UB had two gaffes on kickoff and punt returns in the first half. The Bulls rebounded on the first misplay, as Lamar Sperling recovered his muffed kickoff return in the first minute of the second quarter.Al-Jay Henderson had no such luck on the second. He lost a kickoff return midway through the second quarter that Broncos tight end Brennan Wooten recovered at his team’s 13. The short drive ended with Wolff’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Bosma, part of a run that helped Western take a 28-10 lead in the second quarter.
After halftime, freshman running back Terrance Shelton Jr. became the primary returner for the Bulls and totaled 68 yards on four returns, including a 24-yarder.