BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo Bulls spotted visiting Hofstra a 20-0 lead before roaring back to nearly win the non-conference battle, eventually falling 20-13 at UB Stadium on Saturday.

Hofstra scored 17 first quarter points and appeared to be on their way to an easy victory before the Bulls defense stiffened and gave Buffalo (0-9) a chance at victory on a day when 19 seniors played their final game at UB Stadium.

The Flying Dutchmen (8-1) added a 24-yard field goal from Chris Johnson with 11:49 remaining before halftime before the Bulls defense began to flex its muscles. Buffalo would hold the high-powered Dutchmen, who came into the game averaging 34.5 points per game, scoreless the rest of the way and get plenty of opportunities to win the game in the process.

The Bulls ended two Hofstra drives at the end of the first half by recovering fumbles but could not convert on either opportunity as they were stopped on a fourth-and-one play with 1:47 left in the half and were halted at the Hofstra six as the first half ended.

The second half, however, was all Buffalo. The Dutchmen, who had 307 yards of offense in the first half, had just 137 after intermission as UB's defense stood tall. Linebacker Chris Shelly (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) led the defense with seven tackles and a forced fumble, while Chris Gray (Frewsburg, NY/Frewsburg) also had seven stops. Free safety Craig Rohlfs (Cincinnati, OH/Moeller) - last week's Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week - had five solo stops, a fumble recovery and his fifth interception of the season.

Buffalo got back in the game when freshman Andre Forde (Penfield, NY/Penfield) caught 22-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Joe Freedy (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) with 2:50 left in the third quarter. Then after Buffalo's defense stopped Hofstra on three successive series, the Bulls' struck again when senior Josh Roth (Conewango Valley, NY/Pine Valley) rumbled in the end zone from 15 yards out to cut the lead to 20-13.

The Bulls would have a golden chance to tie the game slip away when Rohlfs intercepted Hofstra quarterback Giovanni Carmazzi - who completed 23-of-40 passes for 305 yards - at his own 27 and returned the ball to the Hofstra 48. However, after driving to the Dutchmen 23, the Bulls were stopped on 4th-and-seven.

Buffalo had one more chance after John Glanton (Webster, NY/Webster) blocked what would have been a game-clinching field goal by Johnson from 45 yards out. The Bulls could not convert, however, and gave the ball up at their own 23.

Flanker Drew Haddad (Westlake, OH/St. Ignatius) and Josh Roth were the offensive stars for Buffalo. Haddad had 10 receptions for 141 yards and 162 yards of total offense and became UB's career leader in all-purpose yardage, breaking the record of Alan Bell (1989-92) who finished with 4,321 yards. Haddad now has 4,438 yards in his brilliant career.

Roth, meanwhile, went over 100 yards for the second time this season. Roth had 18 carries for 126 yards and an 18-yard touchdown.