Offense flat as CMU falls at Buffalo

Amherst, NY — The Chippewas pushed their road-losing streak to 13 games with a 36-6 loss at Buffalo today.

Central was dominated from the onset, allowing Buffalo to amass 218 yards of total offense in the first half en route to a 28-0 halftime lead.

‘We really had to play terrific football to compete and win,’ said UB coach Jim Hofher. ‘We did that today.’

The Chippewas couldn”t muster any offense, while the Mid-American Conference”s second worst offense gained a total of 387 yards.

The Bulls only gained 116 yards in last week”s lost to Kent State.

The most notable absence from CMU”s defense was senior linebacker James King. Coach Brian Kelly said King missed the game because of personal reasons.

His loss was felt as the defense allowed 223 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Quarterback P.J. Piskorik had a career-high 85 yards rushing. He only had 74 yards rushing all season.

‘Their quarterback definitely hurt us,’ Kelly said. ‘I”d like to have all the answers but I don”t.’

Buffalo scored on three consecutive drives in the second quarter, all three touchdown runs.

The Bulls also added a first half score when Bryan Cummings blocked an Anthony Mikulec punt and Gabriel McClover returned it 24-yards for a touchdown, putting UB up 28.

Kent Smith had his worst performance of the season behind a make-shift offensive line. The Chippewas were without both starting guards when Jeff Jenerou went down with a knee injury in the first quarter. Drew Mormino was already out with a foot injury.

‘The difference in the game was our inability to hold up against pressure,’ Kelly said. ‘We just couldn”t do anything offensively.’

The Buffalo defense, which was giving up 202 yards per game on the ground, held CMU to just 56 yards rushing.

Tailback Jerry Seymour was held under 100 yards for the third consecutive game gaining 81 yards on 20 carries.

Central”s only touchdown came in the third quarter when Smith scrambled out of the pocket and found Justin Gardner in the back of the end zone for the score.

Mike Gruzwalski missed the extra point.

Central is now 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the MAC.