Football Celebrates Senior Day With Win Over Thiel, 18-12
BUFFALO, NY—Freshman running back James Perkins ran for 101 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns as Buffalo State (4-5) spoiled Thiel's (7-3) NCAA postseason hopes with an 18-12 victory today at Coyer Field.
Buffalo State found itself with excellent field position early in the opening quarter when Daniel Perez forced a Thiel fumble at the visitors 4-yardline and Michael Holbok came up with the recovery. Three plays later, James Perkins gave the Bengals a 6-0 lead with a one-yard touchdown plunge.
Buffalo State extended its lead on its next possession with an eight-play, 83-yard drive, capped off by a nine-yard touchdown reception by Jonathan Allen from Mike Mikolaichik. Following a second missed extra point, the Bengals led 12-0.
The Bengals added another score early in the second quarter after another Thiel fumble. Hank Pirowski recovered the Tomcats' miscue, giving Buffalo State the ball at the visitor's 12-yardline. Perkins ran it in from 10 yards out just two plays later to put the Bengals on the board again. After a failed conversion, Buffalo State led 18-0.
The lead remained intact until 11:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, when Brandon Chambers broke a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown. After Thiel’s point after bid was blocked, the score was 18-6.
Thiel officially jumped back into the game two possessions later, as it drove 97 yards on seven plays, culminating with a six-yard touchdown catch by Dane Haskins from Darrell Satterfield. Thiel failed on its conversion attempt, and still trailed 18-12.
After a failed drive by the Bengals on the next possession, Chambers broke another long punt return covering 72 yards setting up the Tomcats at the Bengals’ 17-yardline. Thiel fumbled on the next play, however, and Carl Jean-Louis came up with the recovery. Buffalo State managed to hold the Tomcats off for the final 3:08 and emerge with the victory.
“It was a great win for this program,” said Buffalo State Head Coach Paul Shaffner. “We wanted this win for our seniors today. This proves to ourselves that we can accomplish our goals when we believe in ourselves and come together. This can be a turning point for our program.”
Mikolaichik finished the game 11-for-26 for 138 yards. Jeff Shostak was the leading receiver with three catches for 92 yards. Nick Warren paced the defense with 11 tackles. Taglienti added 10 stops, including a sack, and Mike Potter had eight tackles and an interception.
Satterfield finished 16-for-28 for 225 yards. Chambers had 11 catches for 123 yards and the two long punt returns. Haskins added five catches for 104. Robert Drake led the defense with nine tackles.
Buffalo State will travel to Brockport to conclude the season next Saturday.
Buffalo State found itself with excellent field position early in the opening quarter when Daniel Perez forced a Thiel fumble at the visitors 4-yardline and Michael Holbok came up with the recovery. Three plays later, James Perkins gave the Bengals a 6-0 lead with a one-yard touchdown plunge.
Buffalo State extended its lead on its next possession with an eight-play, 83-yard drive, capped off by a nine-yard touchdown reception by Jonathan Allen from Mike Mikolaichik. Following a second missed extra point, the Bengals led 12-0.
The Bengals added another score early in the second quarter after another Thiel fumble. Hank Pirowski recovered the Tomcats' miscue, giving Buffalo State the ball at the visitor's 12-yardline. Perkins ran it in from 10 yards out just two plays later to put the Bengals on the board again. After a failed conversion, Buffalo State led 18-0.
The lead remained intact until 11:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, when Brandon Chambers broke a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown. After Thiel’s point after bid was blocked, the score was 18-6.
Thiel officially jumped back into the game two possessions later, as it drove 97 yards on seven plays, culminating with a six-yard touchdown catch by Dane Haskins from Darrell Satterfield. Thiel failed on its conversion attempt, and still trailed 18-12.
After a failed drive by the Bengals on the next possession, Chambers broke another long punt return covering 72 yards setting up the Tomcats at the Bengals’ 17-yardline. Thiel fumbled on the next play, however, and Carl Jean-Louis came up with the recovery. Buffalo State managed to hold the Tomcats off for the final 3:08 and emerge with the victory.
“It was a great win for this program,” said Buffalo State Head Coach Paul Shaffner. “We wanted this win for our seniors today. This proves to ourselves that we can accomplish our goals when we believe in ourselves and come together. This can be a turning point for our program.”
Mikolaichik finished the game 11-for-26 for 138 yards. Jeff Shostak was the leading receiver with three catches for 92 yards. Nick Warren paced the defense with 11 tackles. Taglienti added 10 stops, including a sack, and Mike Potter had eight tackles and an interception.
Satterfield finished 16-for-28 for 225 yards. Chambers had 11 catches for 123 yards and the two long punt returns. Haskins added five catches for 104. Robert Drake led the defense with nine tackles.
Buffalo State will travel to Brockport to conclude the season next Saturday.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu