AKRON, Ohio — The Buffalo Bulls won the turnover battle early, then cruised to a 41-30 victory Saturday afternoon in Akron.
The Zips actually struck first, with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Ben Finley to Ahmarian Granger. That score capped a five-play, 71-yard drive to start the game.
After that, though, the defense provided a spark for UB (5-4, 3-2 Mid-American Conference). The last four Akron drives in the first quarter ended with an interception, two fumbles, and a turnover on downs on its own 44-yard line.
Buffalo took advantage of those turnovers and led 24-7 at halftime in Akron (2-7, 1-4).
UB quarterback C.J. Ogbonna completed 17 of 29 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns covered 18 yards to JJ Jenkins and 2 yards to Jake Orlando, and he also ran 8 yards for another score.
Running back Al-Jay Henderson led the Bulls on the ground with 18 carries for 107 yards, a total that included a 45-yard touchdown run.
Jacqez Barksdale added a 1-yard touchdown run, and Upton Bellenfant connected on field goals of 33 and 36 yards and made all five point-after tries.
The Bulls are now a win away from being bowl eligible. Their last bowl game was two years ago, when they beat Georgia Southern 23-21 in the Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
The Bulls remaining three games are Nov. 12 at home against Ball State (3-5, 2-2), Nov. 20 at Eastern Michigan (5-3, 2-2), then Nov. 26 at home against Kent State (0-8, 0-4).
