DEKALB – Upton Bellenfant kicked a 37-yard field goal in overtime to give Buffalo a 23-20 victory over No. 23 Northern Illinois on Saturday.
The Huskies (2-1, 0-1 Mid-American Conference), playing for the first time since beating then-No. 5 Notre Dame two weeks ago, managed just six points in the second half. Buffalo (3-1, 1-0), which began play in the FBS league in 1999, beat a higher-ranked opponent for the second time in its history.
“For me, it was just another kick,” said Bellenfant, who was promoted to Buffalo’s starting kicker just last week. “It was kind of a magical story. Everything went right.”
“This really gives us hope that we can remain undefeated for the rest of the season.”
The Bulls led 20-17 after linebacker Shaun Dolac made an interception and returned it 53 yards for a field goal, but the Huskies equalized with a 13-play drive that ended with Kanon Woodill’s 27-yard field goal with 26 seconds left.
“We really put in the effort in defense, but we know we can rely on the offense at the crucial moment,” said Dolac. “They scored, tied the game and the rest is history.”
Woodill, who made the game-winning kick for Notre Dame, missed two field goal attempts, including a 42-yard kick that was blocked in overtime, allowing the game-winning kick from Bellenfant, who made 3 of 3 on the day.
“We were ready to play, but we didn’t make the plays we needed to put ourselves in a position to win,” said Huskies coach Thomas Hammock, whose team also lost a fumble. “The only way we can lose the game is if we lose the ball, and that’s what happened to us.”
Buffalo’s Pete Lembo, who returns to head coaching after nine years as an assistant coach at four schools, said his players deserve all the recognition.
“To be rewarded with such a significant victory so early in our term is a big deal,” Lambo said.
CJ Ogbonna completed 10 of 17 passes for 107 yards and scored a touchdown for the Bulls. His 46-yard touchdown throw to Victor Snow early in the third quarter brought Buffalo within 14-10. Al-Jay Henderson’s 36-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter tied the score at 17.
Antario Brown ran for 73 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskies.
He scored a touchdown on a short run late in the first quarter and another touchdown on a 14-yard run late in the second quarter that gave the Huskies a 14-3 halftime lead.
Ethan Hampton completed 23 of 43 passes for 194 yards and one interception for Northern Illinois.
The last time
Buffalo’s only other win against a higher-ranked opponent came in the 2008 MAC championship game, when it defeated No. 14 Ball State.
The conclusion
Buffalo: The Bulls looked lost on offense in the first half, averaging just 1.1 yards per carry, but they rallied and kept the Huskies out of the end zone for the rest of the game.
Northern Illinois: The defensive line that gave Notre Dame problems didn’t disappoint, but the Huskies’ offense needs to improve if they want to keep up with MAC rival Toledo, which scored 41 points at Mississippi State last weekend.
Impact of the survey
The Huskies will likely fall out of the AP Top 25, but will get another chance to show they belong when they visit NC State next weekend.
Next
Buffalo: Next Saturday in Connecticut.
Northern Illinois: Next Saturday at NC State.
