BUFFALO, NY--Two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Mike Mikolaichik pushed Buffalo State (1-4/1-1) past visiting Frostburg State (1-3/1-1), 16-9, today in a muddy homecoming contest at Coyer Field.

After a stalled Bengal drive to open the game, Buffalo State took over with excellent field position after Carl Jean-Louis intercepted a pass on the Bobcats third offensive play from scrimmage. The Bengals needed just five plays to go 23 yards, capped off by a nine-yard Mikolaichik run and an Eric Buchanan extra point to give Buffalo State its first lead of the season at 7-0.

The Bengals added a Buchanan field goal with four seconds to play in the first half to extend their lead to 10-0, set up by a Mike Potter interception and return of 48 yards to the Bobcats 10-yardline.

Frostburg jumped back into the game after Buffalo State fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half. Although the Bengals drove Frostburg back seven yards on its three plays, the Bobcats got on the scoreboard with a 42-yard field goal by Nick Quisgard.

Frostburg found the end zone for the first time of the day on a 44-yard quarterback keeper by Jimmy Ward early in the fourth quarter, capping off a 10-play, 86 yard drive for the Bobcats. Following a failed extra point, Buffalo State held on to a 10-9 advantage.

Buffalo State took advantage of outstanding field position again midway through the fourth quarter when Potter made another big play, blocking a Frostburg punt and returned it to the Bobcats 10-yard line. Following a tough goal line stand, Mikolaichik plunged into the end zone on fourth and goal from the one yard line. Buffalo State missed the extra point, but extended its lead to 16-9.

Buffalo State ran out the clock to earn its first victory of the season and first under Head Coach Paul Shaffner.

Frostburg held a 153-129 advantage in total offensive yards, but the Bengals forced three turnovers, blocked a punt and sacked the Bobcat quarterback eight times.

Mikolaichik finished the game 6-of-14 for 54 yards, but scored both Bengal touchdowns on the ground as he finished as the teams leading rusher with 34 yards. Perry Taglienti led the defense with 10 tackles including a sack. David Barabas had eight tackles including 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Chris Lentz paced the Frostburg defense with 13 tackles. Gabe Ellis made eight stops, including one sack. Ward was 7-for-14 for 46 yards. Josh Keeney was Frostburg‘s leading rusher with 49 yards on 10 carries.

Buffalo State will host Salisbury next Saturday at 1 p.m.