BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo State grabbed its first win of the season today, as it came from behind to defeat visiting Albion 21-14 in overtime. Buffalo State racked up 418 total yards on 93 plays, compared to Albion’s 49 plays for 200 yards.

Albion drove down the field on its opening possession, using just seven plays to travel 80 yards, and took a 7-0 lead on a Dustin Louwaert two-yard run. Buffalo State evened the score at 7-7 with 18 seconds remaining when quarterback Mike Mikolaichik hit HT Williams with a 17-yard touchdown strike.

Albion broke the deadlock when Andy Kocoloski reeled in a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mike Gough with 48 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Bengals rallied to tie the score again, at 14-14, with just 28 seconds remaining. Patrick Moore caught a four-yard pass from Mikolaichik to cap off 49-yard 14-play drive.

Buffalo State started the overtime with the ball and drove 25-yards in five plays, culminating in a Mikolaichik eight-yard quarterback keeper. The Bengals defense forced an incomplete pass on fourth-and-six on the ensuing Briton possession to preserve the 21-14 victory.

Tailback Curtis Hathcock drove the Bengals offense all day, carrying the ball 37 times for a career-high 186 yards and also had three catches for 16 yards. Mikolaichik was 26-for-40 for 189 yards with two touchdowns in his first win as a starter. Marc Hoppy caught seven balls for 51 yards. Michael Holbok led the Bengals on defense with nine tackles and two sacks.

Gough was just 8-for-22 for 95 yards for the Britons, while Louwaert ran for 61 yards on 15 carries. Kocoloski was Albion’s leading receiver with three catches for 65 yards. Dan Bukowski and Glen Brittich each recorded 15 tackles for Albion.