Nov 07, 2015
AMHERST, N.Y.—Buffalo State limited Ithaca to just 174 yards of total offense and Had Bryant (Bronx/Cardinal Hayes) reeled in a fourth-quarter touchdown catch to give the Bengals a 7-3 victory over Ithaca today at UB Stadium.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 7, Ithaca - 3
LOCATION: UB Stadium – Amherst, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (6-3/4-3), Ithaca (4-5/2-5)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Aaron Ertel (Depew/Depew) started the game at quarterback for the Bengals and went 5 of 10 for 40 yards with an interception, before being relieved by Dan Serignese (Pt. Jefferson/Pt. Jefferson) at the start of the second half. Serignese was 9 of 12 for 92 yards with a touchdown pass.
- Dale Stewart (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) paced the Bengals on the ground with 94 yards on 19 carries, and Madison Wesolowski (Elma/Iroquois) was the leading receiver with four catches for 73 yards.
- The Bengals' defense surrendered just 86 rushing yards and 88 through the air, and helped Buffalo State overcome three offensive turnovers.
- John Alessandra (Tonawanda/Kenmore East) led Buffalo State with 11 tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After three-straight three-and-outs to open the game, Buffalo State was the first to threaten, driving into Ithaca territory, but Ertel threw an interception to Jimmy Sullivan near the Ithaca goal line on a first-and-20 play.
- The next four combined drives ended with punts, before Ithaca moved into Buffalo State territory early in the second quarter and lined up to attempt a 44-yard field goal. The holder could not handle the snap, however, and Buffalo State took over near midfield.
- Buffalo State could not capitalize on the field position, and following another punt, Ithaca finally assembled a drive that yielded the first points of the game. The Bombers went 74 yards in 12 plays, and took a 3-0 lead on a Max Rottenecker 23-yard field goal with just 10 seconds remaining in the first half.
- With Serignese under center to open the second half, the Bengals' offense showed signs of life, driving 46 yards into Ithaca territory, but Malik Morris forced a Tre Jones (Rochester/Greece-Athena) fumble that was recovered by Dan Mancini.
- Three more punts pushed the game into the fourth quarter and Buffalo State finally got on the scoreboard. The Bengals drove 78 yards on 10 plays, including a 49-yard run by Stewart, and was capped with an 11-yard strike from Serignese to Bryant on a third-and-goal.
- Ithaca started the ensuing drive near midfield after a short kick and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and quickly marched deep into Bengal territory. Trailing 7-3, the Bombers chose to go for a fourth-and-goal from the 12, and Ish Height (Brooklyn/Grand Street) came up with an interception in the end zone for the Bengals.
- The Bengals were unable to run any clock, however, as Anthony Skretny forced a Jones fumble on the very next play, and Rob Barbieri recovered, giving the Bomber a drive start at the Buffalo State 20.
- The Bengals' defense rose to the occasion again, however, forcing three-straight incompletions after a short first-down run, and Buffalo State was able to pick up three first downs and run out the clock.
FOR THE FOES
- Ithaca quarterback John D'Onofrio finished 8 of 21 for 88 yards with an interception
- Tristan Brown led the Bombers on the ground with 89 yards on 22 carries.
- Dan Loizos had 13 tackles, while Skretny and Kenny Bradley had nine each.
NOTEWORTHY
- Buffalo State hosted Ithaca on the University at Buffalo campus today because the Bengals' women's soccer team was hosting the SUNYAC Championship at Coyer Field.
- The Bengals overcame 12 penalties for 113 yards, compared to just two for 27 yards by Ithaca.
UP NEXT
Buffalo State will close out its regular season next Saturday at home against Brockport in the annual I-90 Bowl.