No. 23 Northern Illinois falls to Buffalo 23-20 in OT, losing MAC opener in its 1st game since upset of Notre Dame

DEKALB, Ill. — Upton Bellenfant kicked a 37-yard field goal in overtime to give Buffalo a 23-20 victory against No. 23 Northern Illinois on Saturday.

The Huskies (2-1, 0-1 Mid-American Conference), playing for the first time since winning at then-No. 5 Notre Dame two weeks ago, managed just six points in the second half. Buffalo (3-1, 1-0), which began playing at the FBS level in 1999, beat a ranked opponent for the second time in its history.

The Bulls led 20-17 after Shaun Dolac’s interception and 53-yard return set up a field goal, but the Huskies tied it with a 13-play drive that ended with Kanon Woodill’s 27-yard field goal with 26 seconds to play.

Woodill, who booted the game-winner at Notre Dame, missed a pair of field-goal tries, including a 42-yarder that was blocked in overtime. That set up the game-winner from Bellenfant, who was 3-for-3 on the day.

C.J. Ogbonna was 10-for-17 for 107 yards and a touchdown for the Bulls. His 46-yard scoring toss to Victor Snow early in the third quarter got Buffalo within 14-10. Al-Jay Henderson’s 36-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter tied it at 17.

Antario Brown rushed for 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Huskies. He scored on a short run near the end of the first quarter and again on a 14-yard scamper late in the second that gave the Huskies a 14-3 halftime lead.

Ethan Hampton went 23 of 43 for 194 yards and an interception for Northern Illinois.

The takeaway

Buffalo: The Bulls looked lost offensively in the first half after averaging just 1.1 yards per carry but regrouped and kept the Huskies out of the end zone the rest of the way.

Northern Illinois: The defensive line that gave Notre Dame fits didn’t disappoint. The Huskies offense still needs some work, however, if they hope to match fellow MAC contender Toledo, which scored 41 points at Mississippi State last weekend.

Poll implications

The Huskies likely will fall out of the Top 25 but get another chance to show they belong when they visit N.C. State next weekend.

Up next

Buffalo: at Connecticut on Saturday.

Northern Illinois: at N.C. State on Saturday.

Originally Published: September 21, 2024 at 6:48 p.m.