Midweek MACation is back! Buffalo traveled to the Glassbowl to take on the Toledo Rockets on a snowy and cold Halloween night.

Toledo is coming in at 7-1 being undefeated in the MAC looking to take another step towards making the AP top 25 rankings. The Rockets received 3 AP votes and hope to extend their winning streak to 8 and stay undefeated in the MAC. A win tonight is one step closer to the top 25.

Buffalo comes into tonight 3-5 and 3-1 in the MAC. The Bulls are standing 3rd in the MAC east behind Ohio, and Miami but look to get their biggest win of the season. Buffalo had a rough start to the season going 0-4 before getting wins over Akron, Kent State, and Central Michigan.

The Rockets Hot Start

Toledo opened up the game with a 97-yard kick-off return touchdown which just felt right. It’s MACtion on Halloween night. Following that electric opening kick-off, the Rockets forced Buffalo to a three-and-out which led to Penny Boone running the ball for a 71-yard touchdown.

1st Half Summary

Buffalo couldn’t get much going on offense only managing 7 points and a missed field goal. Cole Snyder threw a 4-yard touchdown pass in the red zone, capitalizing off a Dequan Finn interception. The O-Line gave Dequan Finn great protection per usual which led to Finn throwing a 26-yard touchdown.

Toledo’s defense was solid. The Rockets made big plays through the half with some crucial 3rd and short tackles for losses, a stop on 4th and 1, and 2 interceptions. Buffalo’s defense made some plays too. The Bulls forced an interception, held Finn on a 4th and 1 on the 50-yard line, and forced a fumble. Both defenses kept putting the offenses in good field position.

The score going into half was 24-7

Defensive 2nd half

Both coaches had to emphasize ball security in their offenses. 4 total turnovers are rough. For Buffalo, the struggles continued as they got their punt blocked which led to a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Jacquez Sturat. For Toledo, they fumbled on their 3-yard line which resulted in Jacqez Barksdale punching it in the endzone, and in the 4th fumbled again at Buffalo’s 6-yard line. On top of the two fumbles in the 2nd half, the Rockets got a punt blocked late in the 4th quarter. Overall it was a slow and struggling 2nd half for both offenses.

Neither team could put together a drive in this game. Toledo made big explosive plays and capitalized on turnovers. Buffalo let this game get away from them with turnover issues and the lack of ability to score off forced turnovers. The final score was 31-13 with Toledo taking the win and improving to 8-1. On the other side, Buffalo moves to 3-6 overall and 3-2 in the MAC. 

Stats

Toledo 

Dequan Finn QB: 12-19, 173 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception

Penny Boone RB: 12 attempts, 125 yards, 1 touchdown

Anthony Torres TE:  4 receptions, 84 yards, 1 touchdown

Lead Tackler: Maxen Hook (safety) 13 tackles, 7 solo tackles

Buffalo

Connor Snyder QB: 14-41, 151 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions

Ron Cook RB: 17 attempts, 97 yards

Marlyn Johnson WR: 3 receptions, 24 yards, 11 targets

Lead Tackler: Red Murdock (linebacker) 8 tackles, 6 solo tackles