Case Western Edges Buffalo State Football, 23-21
BUFFALO, NYRunning back Brandon McDowell carried the ball 35 times for 150 yards including 75 yards in the fourth quarter for Case Western (5-3) as his Spartans edged Buffalo State (1-7) 23-21 today at Coyer Field.
McDowell opened the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run to cap off a 70-yard Case Western drive on its first possession of the game. The Spartans missed the point after attempt and led 6-0. Buffalo State responded at 7:53 of the first quarter on a 29-yard touchdown strike from Mike Mikolaichik to HT Williams to give the Bengals a 7-6 lead. The Spartans reclaimed the lead early in the second stanza, however, when Jason Cellura connected with Marshaun Minter from 10 yards out. Cellura found David Kallevig later in the quarter, this time from 11 yards, to extend the Case Western lead to 20-7. Buffalo State pulled within a score by the intermission, when TJ Cottrell reeled in a nine-yard Mikolachik pass with just 17 seconds remaining in the half to make the score 20-14.
Case Westerns only second half points came on a 40-yard field goal by Ian Jaquette at 6:15 of the third quarter to extend the margin to 23-14. The Bengals drove 70 yards on 12 plays late in the third quarter and freshman full back Will Bryant forced the ball in the end zone on a fourth and one play to cut the deficit to 23-21. The Bengals would not threaten again, however, and McDowell and company would grind out the final 5:12 to hang on for the victory.
Cellura was 16-for-24 for 192 yards and had 16 rushes for 64 yards. Jacob Baker caught five balls for 65 yards to lead the receiving corps. On defense, Mike Collins led the Spartans with 13 tackles, including a sack and nine solo stops. Michael DePaulo added nine tackles, and Devin Harris had an interception and a 73 yard return.
For the Bengals, Curtis Hathcock rushed 23 times for 115 yards, and Mikolaichik went 19-34 for 188 yards. Williams totaled five catches for 75 yards. Nick Warren led the defense with 14 tackles, Hank Pirowski had 13, and Nick Columbo made 11 stops.
McDowell opened the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run to cap off a 70-yard Case Western drive on its first possession of the game. The Spartans missed the point after attempt and led 6-0. Buffalo State responded at 7:53 of the first quarter on a 29-yard touchdown strike from Mike Mikolaichik to HT Williams to give the Bengals a 7-6 lead. The Spartans reclaimed the lead early in the second stanza, however, when Jason Cellura connected with Marshaun Minter from 10 yards out. Cellura found David Kallevig later in the quarter, this time from 11 yards, to extend the Case Western lead to 20-7. Buffalo State pulled within a score by the intermission, when TJ Cottrell reeled in a nine-yard Mikolachik pass with just 17 seconds remaining in the half to make the score 20-14.
Case Westerns only second half points came on a 40-yard field goal by Ian Jaquette at 6:15 of the third quarter to extend the margin to 23-14. The Bengals drove 70 yards on 12 plays late in the third quarter and freshman full back Will Bryant forced the ball in the end zone on a fourth and one play to cut the deficit to 23-21. The Bengals would not threaten again, however, and McDowell and company would grind out the final 5:12 to hang on for the victory.
Cellura was 16-for-24 for 192 yards and had 16 rushes for 64 yards. Jacob Baker caught five balls for 65 yards to lead the receiving corps. On defense, Mike Collins led the Spartans with 13 tackles, including a sack and nine solo stops. Michael DePaulo added nine tackles, and Devin Harris had an interception and a 73 yard return.
For the Bengals, Curtis Hathcock rushed 23 times for 115 yards, and Mikolaichik went 19-34 for 188 yards. Williams totaled five catches for 75 yards. Nick Warren led the defense with 14 tackles, Hank Pirowski had 13, and Nick Columbo made 11 stops.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu