KALAMAZOO, MI. -- Hosting Western Michigan maintained its perfect record (now 5-0) against Buffalo Saturday as John Potter booted a 28-yard field goal in overtime to finish off a 34-31 Broncos win at Waldo Stadium. It was the second straight year WMU has used overtime to defeat the Bulls.
Broncos quarterback Tim Hiller completed 34-of-55 for 350 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The two TDs give him 91 for his career – good for second place on the MAC career TD list. He also became the eighth QB in MAC history to eclipse 10,000 yards.
Seven Broncos caught passes from Hiller in the win. Sophomore Robert Arnheim led the way with 107 yards on seven receptions, while Ansel Ponder collected 10 catches.
After an early 7-7 tie, Western Michigan grabbed the lead and stayed in front until the fourth quarter. The hosts were up 24-21 when Ike Nduka broke loose on a 56-yard TD run with 5:16 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Nduka, who sprained an ankle last Saturday and was questionable early in the week, rushed 18 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Bulls.
A.J. Principe’s PAT gave Buffalo a 28-24 lead, which fell by the wayside after Brandon West scored from three yards out to cap a nine-play, 67-yard Broncos drive on the next possession.
Buffalo quarterback Zach Maynard completed six passes during a 15-play drive that took the Bulls to Western Michigan’s 11-yard line. With just three seconds left, Principe split the uprights for a field goal that sent the contest into overtime.
“We just gave up way too many big plays,” Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit said. “They had 180-something yards at halftime and ended up at 541. That’s not real productive (for us).”
Western won the overtime coin toss and elected to start the extra frame on defense. “We were excited to go back out,” WMU senior defensive end Justin Braska said. “You want to go out on defense first so you can shut them down and put our offense in a good spot.”
After getting minus-one yard on three plays, Buffalo was forced to try a field goal. John Rachuna’s attempt into the wind from 43-yards out, however, was short.
That put WMU in the drivers seat, but after gaining a first down with three straight rushes, the Broncos managed just two more yards on the next three plays. Potter came on for a 28-yard try and converted for the win.
“Even though we didn’t play very well defensively, some of our kids made some great plays,” Cubit said. “John Potter, going in there, it’s a lot of pressure for a young kid, but he knocked it through, and we win the game. I’m proud of the kids.”
“Hats off to the defense in overtime. It was just a sense of urgency,” said Hiller, who lamented an errant pass during overtime. “I’d like to thank John (Potter), because I’d hate to think what everybody would be saying about me had he missed that kick after I overthrew the pass. But he did a great job.”
Western Michigan (4-4, 3-2 MAC) begins a stretch of three consecutive road games Saturday when the Broncos travel to Kent State. After going out of conference for a game at Michigan State the following week, WMU finishes with games against Eastern Michigan (away) and Ball State (home).
Buffalo (3-5, 1-3 MAC), meanwhile, stays home for two weeks as the Bulls host Bowling Green (Nov. 3) and Ohio University (Nov. 11).
“We’re obviously disappointed, but I think our guys were resilient,” Buffalo coach Turn Gill said. “We’ll come back ready to play in 10 days …. The bottom line is Western Michigan made more plays than we did.”
NOTES:
- The two teams combined for 1,046 yards of offense during the contest.
- Maynard completed 26-of-51 for 327 yards and one TD. He was intercepted twice.
- Potter’s kick was his first game-winning field goal
- Nduka tied his career high in rushing yards (172). He would have broken the mark, but lost a yard in overtime.
- Each team had two turnovers. Western Michigan lost two fumbles. Buffalo threw two interceptions.
|
