Sep 26, 2015
MORRISVILLE, N.Y.—Buffalo State managed only 255 yards of total offense compared to 562 by Morrisville State, resulting is a 37-23 victory by the host Mustangs in an Empire 8 contest today at Drake Field.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Morrisville State – 37, Buffalo State - 23
LOCATION: Drake Field, Morrisville, N.Y.
RECORDS: Morrisville State (2-1/1-1), Buffalo State (1-2/0-2)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Buffalo State's offense sputtered in its first complete game without injured starting quarterback Kyle Hoppy (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) as a duo of replacement signal callers finished a combined 18 of 38 for 212 yards. Dan Serignese (Pt. Jefferson/Pt. Jefferson) started the game, going 2 of 8 for 13 yards, before being replaced by Aaron Ertel (Depew/Depew) who was able to complete 16 of 30 attempts for 199 yards.
- Tre Jones (Rochester/Greece-Athena) was held under 100 yards for the first time this season, finishing with 48 yards on 16 carries, including two touchdowns.
- Dale Stewart (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) could not get going as a rusher with just four yards on five carries, but had 73 yards on five catches.
- Will Cheshire Wantagh/MacArthur) led the Bengals' defense with 11 stops, including three for loss and had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown.
- Rey Jordan (Buffalo/McKinley) added his second interception of the season.
- Buffalo State was charged with seven fumbles in the game with two being turned over to Morrisville.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a pair of stalled drives for the Bengals to open the game, Morrisville took a 7-0 lead on a 70-yard catch and run by Christian Pena from Cory Benedetto.
- After another Bengal punt, Buffalo State got on the board on the first play of the second quarter with Cheshire's 50-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Bengals missed the extra point attempt to remain trailing, 7-6.
- Morrisville would answer with a seven-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a 31-yard field goal by Jesse Astudillo. After another defensive stand and a short punt by the Bengals, the Mustangs extended their lead to 17-6 with a 1-yard scoring run by Edwin Soto.
- Jordan put Buffalo State in position to get on track early in the third quarter when he picked off a Benedetto pass and returned it 55 yards to the Morrisville 25, but the Bengals' offense could not convert, turning the ball over on downs.
- Pena's second score of the game on a 4-yard run that ended an 82-yard drive pushed the Morrisville lead to 23-6.
- Marc Montana (E. Amherst/St. Joe's) connected on a 35-yard field goal to end Buffalo State's next possession, but Morrisville needed just two plays to respond, as Soto broke free for a 60-yard touchdown run.
- Stewart got loose for a 77-yard return of the ensuing kick and Jones scored from 2 yards out on the next play to close the gap to 30-16.
- Buffalo State's defense forced a quick punt and the Bengals were looking to score again, but the Bengals were stuffed on a fourth-and-1 from the Morrisville 6. The Mustangs put the game out of reach when Soto broke off another long scoring run, this time going 66 yards for his third score of the day to increase the margin to 37-16.
- Jones added his second touchdown of the game on a 6-yard run with 5:31 remaining to complete the scoring.
FOR THE FOES
- Benedetto finished 12 of 30 for 285 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
- Soto led the Mustangs on the ground with 138 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries.
- Pena finished with 91 rushing yards on 20 carries and had two catches for 83 yards while finding the end zone twice.
- Julian Serrano had 15 tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage to lead Morrisville.
NOTEWORTHY
- This was the first-ever meeting between Buffalo State and Morrisville as an Empire 8 contest, and first win by the Mustangs over the Bengals in seven tries. Morrisville joined the E8 this season after leaving the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
UP NEXT
Buffalo State will finally open its home slate with its first of three-straight games at Coyer Field next Saturday against St. John Fisher at noon. The game will be the focal point of Buffalo State's Homecoming festivities. The contest will be televised live across New York State on Time Warner channel 323.