The UB Stadium in Amherst, NY, hosted the MAC contest between the Ball State Cardinals and the Buffalo Bulls on Tuesday. This marked only the second meeting between the two since the 2020 MAC Championship game, where the Cardinals pulled off a 38-28 win over the then-unbeaten Bulls.
The two teams entered this contest in contrasting fashion. The Bulls (5-4) needed a win to remain bowl-eligible while the Cardinals' (3-6) bowl hopes were shattered.
The game was a thriller, with the Cardinals taking a narrow 28-24 lead into halftime. The Bulls eliminated that deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime. A 14-yard touchdown pass from CJ Ogbonna got the Bulls over the line (51-48) in the end.
Ball State Cardinals vs Buffalo Bulls: Game Summary
Buffalo edged Ball State 51-48 in an overtime thriller, highlighted by clutch plays in the final minutes of regulation and overtime.
1st Quarter:
Buffalo struck first with a three-yard touchdown run by CJ Ogbonna.
Ball State responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Kadin Semonza to Justin Bowick.
Score: Tied 7-7.
2nd Quarter:
Ball State took the lead early with Semonza’s two-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Koziol.
Buffalo added a 27-yard field goal by Upton Bellenfant and a six-yard rushing touchdown by Al-Jay Henderson to keep pace.
Ball State's Vaughn Pemberton and Justin Bowick scored, extending the lead, but Buffalo closed the half with a six-yard touchdown pass from Ogbonna to Victor Snow.
Halftime Score: Ball State 28, Buffalo 24.
3rd Quarter:
Both teams traded touchdowns, with Buffalo briefly taking the lead after Henderson’s four-yard rushing touchdown.
Ball State responded with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Cam Pickett.
Score: Ball State 35, Buffalo 31.
4th Quarter:
Ball State extended its lead with a nine-yard touchdown run by Pickett and a field goal, but Buffalo fought back.
Ogbonna scored a 26-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a 33-yard touchdown pass to JJ Jenkins, with a successful two-point conversion to tie the game at 45.
Score at End of Regulation: Tied 45-45.
Overtime:
Ball State opened with a 36-yard field goal by Jackson Courville.
Buffalo won with Ogbonna’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Lamar Sperling.
Final Score: Buffalo 51, Ball State 48.
Key Performers:
Buffalo: CJ Ogbonna played a vital role, accounting for touchdowns through the air and on the ground.
Ball State: Kadin Semonza connected with receivers for several long scores, keeping the game competitive.