The Bulls and Minutemen meet in Amherst (New York) each looking for a win to get some forward momentum after tough losses.
UMass and Buffalo come into Saturday’s Battle of Amherst looking to build momentum after frustrating starts to the season. Both had completely different experiences last week, yet both need this game to enhance their postseason hopes.
Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at 1 p.m. Eastern time
- Location: UB Alumni Stadium in Amherst, New York
- TV options: The game will be available on CBS Sports Network. A valid cable subscription is required for viewing. Jordan Kent (play-by-play) and Logan Ryan (color) will provide the commentary.
- Streaming options: The game will be available for streaming via the Paramount+ App. A valid subscription is required for viewing. Other applicable cable/satellite streaming options are also available with a valid subscription.
- Radio options: Paul Peck (play-by-play) and Scott Wilson (color) providing the Buffalo call on The Varsity Network App.
- Gambling considerations: Buffalo is a 3.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 44.5, per DraftKings.
- All-time series: Buffalo leads 8-6 all-time, with the first meeting in 1964. Buffalo won the last contest 37-7 in 2022 at Gillette Stadium.
Looking at the box score, one may think UMass had a dominant win over Toledo. The Minutemen outgained the Rockets 384-258, and held Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason to eight completions on 25 passes. However, this was not the case.
The Minutemen allowed a kickoff return touchdown and a kick catch interference on an onside kick gifted the Rockets with a 25-yard path to the end zone which they took advantage of for the game-winning score.
The Minutemen’s stout defense was the bright spot, especially its pass defense. They could have an even better performance than last week against Buffalo’s CJ Ogbonna who struggled last week against the Tigers. Ogbonna completed only six of his 20 passes for 55 yards. Of course, the Minutemen are not the #6 Missouri Tigers, but Ogbonna’s struggles bode well for UMass.
Buffalo’s rush offense must perform well against a UMass front that averages 108 yards per game and less than four yards per carry. Running back Jacquez Barksdale, who has had a promising start to the 2024 season with 166 yards and a touchdown, must have a solid game to take the load off CJ Ogbunna.
Buffalo’s front seven could win the game for the Bulls. The Bulls struggled with the quarterback run game last week, allowing Missouri’s Brady Cook to run for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just five carries. Taisun Phommachanh’s running abilities are essential to the UMass attack. Phommachanh has 27 non-sack carries for 108 yards in the first two games. However, Eastern Michigan and Toledo’s front seven had field days against the UMass line, accumulating 11 sacks against the Minutemen. Keeping the Minutemen behind schedule shifts the Minutemen away from their comfort zone.
Another storyline is Anthony Simpson’s lack of involvement in the passing game. After a 792-yard 2023 campaign, Simpson has had a quiet start to the 2024 season with just three catches for 16 yards. He could return to his 2023 form against a Bulls secondary that struggled to contain Missouri’s Theo Wease and even Lafayette’s Chris Calasia. It’ll be a question of health for him this week, as he left last week’s game late vs. Toledo with an injury.
After an 0-2 start, UMass needs a win badly to build bowl momentum. The Minutemen must go 7-3 the rest of the way with three Power Four games remaining. The Buffalo game is a winnable game the Minutemen must take advantage of. After two weeks of play against opponents on opposite ends of the Division I spectrum, Buffalo gets a more accurate assessment of their standing against UMass. The Bulls cannot afford to look ahead to next week’s game against new conference darling NIU. A win against UMass builds momentum for the Bulls entering their conference slate.