Buffalo Bulls vs. Miami RedHawks football recap: Bulls use huge third quarter to put away Miami, 29-24

Buffalo Bulls quarterback Joe Licata had just the night he needed.

Licata tossed two of Buffalo's four touchdowns on the night, and finished with nearly 300 passing yards as his Bulls rolled past the Miami RedHawks on Thursday night, 29-24.

The Bulls' allowed Miami to stay around throughout the first half, with the game even at 17 going to halftime. Buffalo's big breaks would come moments into the third quarter, when the Bulls took the half's opening drive 72 yards on eight plays for a touchdown.

Miami would move the ball on their first possession in the third, but Kaleb Patterson would miss the 42-yard field goal to give the ball the back to the Bulls.

Licata and company would not mess up their opportunity to seize control. Buffalo's senior quarterback would finish off a long, 75-yard, nine play drive with nine yard touchdown pass to Ron Willoughby on second and goal to extend Buffalo's lead to 29-17. The Bulls would miss the two-point conversion, but that would not end up having any significance in the end .

Miami's best chance to cut into the Buffalo lead came early in fourth when freshman quarterback Billy Bahl led his team all the way to the Buffalo 23 yard line before the RedHawks turned it over on downs.

Bahl would finish the contest 13-for-38 with 224 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.

The RedHawks would get back on the board with 2:19 left in the game, but Miami's onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, and Buffalo would give Miami the ball back with mere seconds remaining.

Buffalo got on the board first, as Adam Mitcheson capped the Bulls' first drive with a 46-yard field goal. Minutes later, with the Miami offense struggling to get going, defensive back Brison Burris bailed out the RedHawks and returned Licata's only interception 67 yards for a touchdown to give Miami a 7-3 lead after the PAT.

It would only take one play for Buffalo grab the lead back. Licata found Willoughby for a 78-yard pass that put Buffalo on top 10-7.

Patterson would tie it back up early in the second with a 33-yard field goal. Both teams would score once again before the break.

Buffalo heads to Kent State next, while Miami will stay at home to host Eastern Michigan.