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Eagles Ground Buffalo, 41-0

Chad Upshaw

The Eagles defense limited Buffalo to -12 yards rushing for the game and a season-low six first downs.

“Boston College did a great job,” said Buffalo head coach Turner Gill. “They were deserving of the victory, they played better than we did and they executved very well. They really dominated both the offensive and defensive lines. When you win in the trenches, more times than not you're going to win the football game.”

Boston College opened the scoring on its first drive by moving 47 yards on 10 plays. However, the Bulls defense stood up after allowing a first and 10 at its 11-yard line, forcing a 25-yard field goal by Steve Aponavicius.

BC’s special teams made several impact plays early in the game. DeJuan Tribble had a 20-yard return to set up BC’s first score and then returned a punt 69 yards to the Buffalo 11 to set up a four-yard touchdown run by quarterback Chris Crane.

The Eagles then extended their lead after a Buffalo turnover in the driving rain. Sophomore quarterback Drew Willy (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) had a pass richocet right off of his receivers chest, resulting in UB’s first turnover of the game. The Eagles capitalized with Crane again scoring on the ground from eight yards out early in the second quarter.

The Bulls moved the ball at times in the first half, but were undone by turnovers and key penalties. A key penalty came after the Bulls had gained a first down at the BC 48 on a throw from Willy to Chad Upshaw (Southport, CT/St. Joseph’s). However, an illegal hands to the face call erased the first down and the drive stalled. The Eagles led 24-0 at halftime.

Buffalo’s best chance to score came late in the fourth quarter after redshirt freshman Alex Pierre (Hackensack, NJ/Hackensack) blocked a punt at the BC 26-yard line. However, senior quarterback Tony Paoli (Fort Lauderdale, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas) was intercepted in the end zone on UB’s final drive.

Kareem Byrom

The UB defense was once again led by senior Jeff Bublavi (Norwood, PA/Interboro) who had 10 tackles, including nine solo stops. Junior Kareem Byrom (New Brunswick, NJ/New Brunswick) had seven tackles, two for losses, and a sack while filling in at outside linebacker for injured senior Ramon Guzman (Bronx, NY/DeWitt Clinton).

BULL-etins: The game marked the fourth time the Bulls have faced an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent, but just the second time since moving up to Division I-A. Buffalo traveled to Virginia in 1999, their first year in Division I-A, and also played Virginia Tech twice (1969, 1970)...several New England products returned to their native areas. Senior Chad Upshaw (Southport, CT/St. Joseph’s), a John Mackey Award candidate, and offensive linemen Jamey Richard (Weston, CT/Weston) and Ray Norell (Monroe, CT/Masuk) all started on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, true freshman Anel Montanez (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) started the first game of his career. Fullback Chris Scharon (Salem, NH/Salem) also saw action in the game..Chad Upshaw extended his consecutive game reception streak to 18. The senior also increased his career reception total to 82. That figure is 13 shy of the school record of 95 by Chad Bartoszek...redshirt freshman Dane Robinson (Baltimore, MD/Calvert Hall) recorded his first career sack in the first quarter...redshirt frosh Kendric Hawkins (Upper Marlboro, MD/DeMatha Catholic) recorded his second interception of the season in the second quarter. Both of Hawkins’ interceptions have come against Top 25 teams, as he recorded his first career pick at Auburn. The Bulls have recorded an interception in all but one game this season...freshman Sherrod Lott (Plant City, FL/Plant City) had a career-best eight tackles (five solos)...tailback James Starks (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) matched his career high with six receptions...Boston College had a huge advantage in time of possession (37:16-22:44).