AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — University at Buffalo's football team broke the hex of home openers past in its first game playing for new coach Pete Lembo.
Asserting superiority over a formidable foe from a lower division, a task UB could not complete under previous coach Maurice Linguist, the Bulls began a hopeful new season with a 30-13 win against Lafayette before an announced crowd of 16,400 at UB Stadium on Thursday night.
Shaun Dolac, the West Seneca native who returned to UB after a season shortened by injury and a spring transfer to Utah State, rejuvenated by Lembo's cultural refresh, led the defense with 11 tackles (two for loss) and a leaping interception that led to Jaquez Barksdale's game-clinching 19 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
C.J. Ogbonna was 14 for 24 passing for 195 yards in his first start at quarterback for UB, tossing touchdowns to Nik McMillan, the Buffalonian who played for Canisius High and also coming back from injury, and Boston College transfer Taji Johnson.
The Bulls rushed for 208 yards, led by Barksdale, whose 99 yards rushing were more than any UB running back totaled in a game last year. Barksdale averaged more than 7 yards on 14 carries, a greater load than both backs listed ahead of him on the depth chart, Al-Jay Henderson (37 yards, one touchdown on 13 rushes), and Lamar Sperling (19 yards, five carres).
Henderson scored the opening touchdown after nickelback Jalen McNair intercepted a tipped pass, and McMillan hauled in a picturesque pass from Ogbonna, last year's backup quarterback rarely trusted to throw, giving UB a 13-0 lead in the first quarter.
Lafayette, ranked No. 17 in the Football Championship Subdivision, got back in the game due to UB's special teams mistakes, a curious development considering Lembo's expertise in that department. A blocked punt led to Lafayette's first touchdown, and the Bulls defense had to hold firm after a muffed kickoff return gave the visitors a short field and a chance to get within a score in the fourth quarter.
Even with those foibles, UB kept its composure and resisted any late collapse like they had in losing its past two opening games against FCS opponents Holy Cross and Fordham.
Jamar Curtis, the Patriot League preseason offensive player of the year after rushing for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, was held to 12 yards on 14 carries for Lafayette.
The competition gets tougher for UB next week on the road against No. 11 Missouri.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.