Drive Chart
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Kicker Bellenfan, linebacker Murdock lead Buffalo past Liberty 26-7 in Bahamas Bowl
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) Upton Bellenfan kicked four field goals, linebacker Red Murdock led a dominant defense with 13 tackles and a pick six and Buffalo completed a turn-around season with a 26-7 win over Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl on Saturday.
The Bulls, 3-9 last season, finished 9-4 under first-year coach Pete Lembo and won their fourth-straight bowl game. They also became the first team to win the Bahamas Bowl twice.
Bellenfant had a career-long 52-yard field goal in the first quarter and added kicks of 42 and 20 yards to give Buffalo a 9-0 lead at the half.
Al-Jay Henderson, who had 21 carries for 119 yards, scored on a 45-yard burst up the middle on the first possession of the second half to make it 16-0. Henderson became the 11th player in program history to run for more than 1,000 yards.
Bellenfant missed a 30-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter but on the next possession connected from 45 yards, the first time the sophomore made four field goals in one game.
Two plays later Murdock intercepted a Nate Hampton pass and returned it 31 yards for a 26-0 lead. It was the third takeaway for the Bulls' defense.
Liberty (8-4), in a bowl game for the sixth-straight year but winless since 2021, then had its longest drive, going 75 yards capped by a 36-yard pass from Hampton to Reese Smith.
After a failed onside kick, Buffalo ran out the last seven minutes of the game, reaching the Liberty 3.
Hampton, who hadn't thrown a pass all year, took over in the fourth quarter and was 2 of 9 for 40 yards. Ryan Burger was 4 of 12 for 40 yards through three quarters.
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Key Players
 |
A. Henderson
5 RB 119 RuYds, RuTD, 36 ReYds, 2 RECs |
 |
R. Smith
6 WR 36 ReYds, ReTD, REC |
1st Quarter
Field Goal
10:30
U.Bellenfant 52 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Selee Holder-E.Duane.
7
plays
44
yds
3:00
pos
3
0
Field Goal
5:37
U.Bellenfant 43 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Selee Holder-E.Duane.
7
plays
32
yds
3:24
pos
6
0
2nd Quarter
Field Goal
14:56
U.Bellenfant 20 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Selee Holder-E.Duane.
8
plays
55
yds
1:46
pos
9
0
3rd Quarter
Touchdown
12:01
A.Henderson rushed for 45 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
9
plays
75
yds
2:59
pos
15
0
Point After TD
12:01
U.Bellenfant extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
16
0
4th Quarter
Field Goal
12:28
U.Bellenfant 45 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Selee Holder-E.Duane.
4
plays
7
yds
1:26
pos
19
0
Touchdown
12:09
N.Hampton pass INTERCEPTED at LIB 31. Intercepted by R.Murdock at LIB 31. TOUCHDOWN.
0
plays
0
yds
pos
25
0
Point After TD
12:09
U.Bellenfant extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
26
0
Touchdown
7:00
N.Hampton pass complete. Catch made by R.Smith for 36 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
14
plays
75
yds
5:09
pos
26
6
Point After TD
7:00
C.Karhu extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
26
7
| Team Stats | |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 18 | 10 |
| Rushing | 12 | 5 |
| Passing | 5 | 4 |
| Penalty | 1 | 1 |
| 3rd Down Conv | 6-19 | 3-15 |
| 4th Down Conv | 5-5 | 3-3 |
| Total Net Yards | 359 | 242 |
| Total Plays | 75 | 56 |
| Avg Gain | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 222 | 162 |
| Rush Attempts | 56 | 35 |
| Avg Rush Yards | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Yards Passing | 137 | 80 |
| Comp. - Att. | 9-19 | 6-21 |
| Yards Per Pass | 6.5 | 2.4 |
| Penalties - Yards | 6-53 | 2-20 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
| Passing TDs | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 1 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 3-2 |
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Punts - Avg | 3-42.0 | 6-38.2 |
| Return Yards | 67 | 0 |
| Punts - Returns | 2-36 | 0-0 |
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. - Returns | 1-31 | 0-0 |
| Safeties | 0 | 0 |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
C. Ogbonna
7 QB
|
C. Ogbonna | 9/19 | 137 | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
A. Henderson
5 RB
|
A. Henderson | 21 | 119 | 1 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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C. Ogbonna
7 QB
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C. Ogbonna | 15 | 32 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Barksdale
4 RB
|
J. Barksdale | 4 | 20 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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L. Sperling
32 RB
|
L. Sperling | 4 | 19 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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M. Scott Jr.
33 RB
|
M. Scott Jr. | 3 | 16 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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J. McNeil Jr.
24 ATH
|
J. McNeil Jr. | 2 | 15 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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J. Shields
8 QB
|
J. Shields | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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T. Shelton Jr.
25 RB
|
T. Shelton Jr. | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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M. Burch
13 RB
|
M. Burch | 3 | -4 | 0 | 4 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
V. Snow
0 WR
|
V. Snow | 5 | 4 | 41 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A. Henderson
5 RB
|
A. Henderson | 2 | 2 | 36 | 0 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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T. Johnson
11 WR
|
T. Johnson | 2 | 1 | 30 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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L. Sperling
32 RB
|
L. Sperling | 3 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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M. Burch
13 RB
|
M. Burch | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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J. Orlando
81 TE
|
J. Orlando | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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J. Cuff
19 WR
|
J. Cuff | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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R. Daly
88 TE
|
R. Daly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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J. Jenkins
2 WR
|
J. Jenkins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
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R. Murdock
2 LB
|
R. Murdock | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
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U. Bellenfant
27 K
|
U. Bellenfant | 4/5 | 52 | 2/2 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||
|
N. Reed
17 K
|
N. Reed | 1/1 | 52 | 0/0 | 3 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
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E. Duane
95 P
|
E. Duane | 3 | 42.0 | 1 | 68 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
|
V. Snow 0 WR
|
V. Snow | 2 | 18.0 | 28 | 0 |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
R. Burger
18 QB
|
R. Burger | 4/12 | 40 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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N. Hampton
10 QB
|
N. Hampton | 2/9 | 40 | 1 | 1 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
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R. Burger
18 QB
|
R. Burger | 11 | 57 | 0 | 57 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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B. Lucas
0 RB
|
B. Lucas | 3 | 57 | 0 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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C. Williams
23 RB
|
C. Williams | 10 | 31 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
V. Blue
24 RB
|
V. Blue | 6 | 14 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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N. Hampton
10 QB
|
N. Hampton | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Gray
1 WR
|
J. Gray | 4 | -4 | 0 | 1 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
R. Smith
6 WR
|
R. Smith | 2 | 1 | 36 | 1 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Hanshaw
15 TE
|
B. Hanshaw | 1 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
T. Sibley
21 WR
|
T. Sibley | 5 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Lucas
0 RB
|
B. Lucas | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
T. Mobley
8 WR
|
T. Mobley | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
C. Williams
23 RB
|
C. Williams | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Gray
1 WR
|
J. Gray | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Montiero
80 WR
|
J. Montiero | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
V. Jones Jr.
13 WR
|
V. Jones Jr. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. Lee Jr.
9 WR
|
D. Lee Jr. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
|
C. Karhu
98 K
|
C. Karhu | 0/1 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
|
M. Morgan
37 P
|
M. Morgan | 6 | 38.2 | 0 | 63 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
|
J. Gray
1 WR
|
J. Gray | 2 | 10.0 | 17 | 0 |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 13:30 | BUFF 37 | 3:00 | 7 | 29 | FG |
| 9:01 | BUFF 33 | 3:24 | 7 | 42 | FG |
| 4:40 | BUFF 25 | 1:47 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
| 1:42 | BUFF 43 | 1:46 | 8 | 55 | FG |
| 2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 12:58 | BUFF 35 | 4:29 | 10 | 27 | Punt |
| 3:31 | BUFF 41 | 1:03 | 3 | -4 | Punt |
| 0:07 | BUFF 31 | 0:07 | 1 | -2 | Half |
| 3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | BUFF 25 | 2:59 | 9 | 75 | TD |
| 9:56 | BUFF 20 | 10:00 | 17 | 68 | FG Miss |
| 4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 13:54 | LIB 34 | 1:26 | 4 | 7 | FG |
| 7:00 | BUFF 47 | 7:00 | 11 | 50 | Game |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | LIB 25 | 1:30 | 3 | 1 | Punt |
| 10:30 | LIB 30 | 1:29 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
| 5:37 | LIB 40 | 0:57 | 3 | 0 | Punt |
| 2:53 | LIB 20 | 1:11 | 3 | -1 | Punt |
| 2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 14:56 | LIB 15 | 1:58 | 4 | 55 | Fumble |
| 8:29 | LIB 8 | 4:58 | 8 | 16 | Punt |
| 2:28 | LIB 35 | 2:21 | 10 | 34 | FG Miss |
| 3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 12:01 | LIB 33 | 2:05 | 4 | 67 | Fumble |
| 4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 14:56 | LIB 20 | 1:02 | 3 | -1 | Punt |
| 12:28 | LIB 25 | 0:19 | 2 | 0 | INT |
| 12:09 | LIB 25 | 5:09 | 14 | 75 | TD |
- Punt (3 plays, 1 yards, 1:30 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) U.Bellenfant kicks 65 yards from BUF 35 to the LIB End Zone. Touchback. |
| -5 YD | 1 & 10 - LIB 25 (15:00 - 1st) J.Gray rushed for -5 yards. Tackled by BUF at LIB 20. |
| No Gain | 2 & 15 - LIB 20 (14:31 - 1st) R.Burger steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Sibley. |
| +6 YD | 3 & 15 - LIB 20 (14:27 - 1st) R.Burger rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by BUF at LIB 26. |
| Punt | 4 & 9 - LIB 26 (13:43 - 1st) M.Morgan punts 45 yards to BUF 29 Center-R.Manis. V.Snow returned punt from the BUF 29. Pushed out of bounds by LIB at BUF 37. |
- Field Goal (7 plays, 29 yards, 3:00 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| +3 YD | 1 & 10 - BUFF 37 (13:30 - 1st) A.Henderson rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by LIB at BUF 40. |
| Penalty | 2 & 7 - BUFF 40 (13:11 - 1st) PENALTY on BUF-C.Shepard False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
| +6 YD | 2 & 12 - BUFF 35 (12:54 - 1st) C.Ogbonna rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by LIB at BUF 41. |
| +35 YD | 3 & 6 - BUFF 41 (12:17 - 1st) C.Ogbonna pass complete. Catch made by A.Henderson for 35 yards. Tackled by LIB at LIB 24. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - LIB 24 (11:46 - 1st) A.Henderson rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by LIB at LIB 24. |
| No Gain | 2 & 10 - LIB 24 (11:19 - 1st) A.Henderson rushed for yards. Tackled by LIB at LIB 21. PENALTY on BUF-H.Tabansi Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play. |
| No Gain | 2 & 20 - LIB 34 (10:50 - 1st) C.Ogbonna steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for L.Sperling. |
| No Gain | 3 & 20 - LIB 34 (10:40 - 1st) C.Ogbonna steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for L.Sperling. |
| Field Goal | 4 & 20 - LIB 42 (10:36 - 1st) U.Bellenfant 52 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Selee Holder-E.Duane. |
- Punt (3 plays, 4 yards, 1:29 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | (10:30 - 1st) U.Bellenfant kicks 65 yards from BUF 35 to the LIB End Zone. Touchback. PENALTY on BUF-BUF Offensive Offside 5 yards accepted. |
| +6 YD | 1 & 10 - LIB 30 (10:30 - 1st) V.Blue rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by BUF at LIB 36. |
| -2 YD | 2 & 4 - LIB 36 (9:55 - 1st) V.Blue rushed for -2 yards. Tackled by BUF at LIB 34. |
| No Gain |