The Buffalo State Bengals left the “Hawks Nest” with their first win of the season on Saturday, after defeating the Hilbert Hawks by a final score of 15-8. This was the first Liberty League matchup for the Bengals this season, and the team now sits at third in the conference following the victory.
Defense and special teams played huge roles in the Bengals’ win, as they found ways to put the football back into the offense’s hands the whole game. Buffalo State defensive back Emerald Smart caused problems for Hilbert all day and recorded two game-changing interceptions.
The Hawks relied on their three-headed dragon of a running back room featuring Mike Hanlon, Joseph Edick, and Christian Hamilton Jr. The trio accounted for 246 rushing yards, but it wasn’t enough to get past the Bengals.
First Quarter:
Both the Bengals and Hawks radiated a “we have something to prove” energy as they walked out onto the field to start the game. Both programs found themselves winless after three games, but not hopeless. Everyone was eager to taste victory for the first time this season, ready to do whatever it took during those next 60 minutes. The Hawks won the coin toss and elected to defer, giving the Bengals the ball to start the game.
Bengals quarterback Noah Kimble was given the nod to start, and the first drive of the game began. Buffalo State got off to a slower start than they would’ve liked, as the drive stalled early. Once Hilbert came on offense, the running onslaught from Hanlon and Hamilton Jr. began. Breaking tackles, running inside and out, this pair was getting the best of the Bengals.
Suddenly, everything seemed to stop, and the stadium went silent as Bengals defensive back Jaiden Coriano was injured on the play. Rumblings from the crowd and staff on the field said it was some type of neck injury. After the trainers did what they could on the field, the ambulance parked on the side of the field got the wave, and it was go time. Driving right onto the field, the EMTs safely moved Coriano into the back of the vehicle, and off they went. There are no updates on Jaiden’s status at the moment, but thankfully, it looks to be nothing serious. Prayers for him going forward.
All of the energy was wiped from Buffalo State, and it showed on the field. Sloppy penalties and poor defensive play from the Bengals were costly early in this game. Hilbert was moving down the field with ease, getting first down after first down. To cap off the drive, running back Joseph Edick found the endzone on a 4-yard rush, followed by a successful two-point conversion by defensive lineman Clifford Zeigler, putting the Hawks on top.
The Bengals got the ball back with just under five minutes in the quarter and began their drive down the field. Buffalo State was moving, and at the end of the first quarter, found themselves just 29 yards from the endzone. Final score following the first quarter, 8-0 Hawks.
Second Quarter:
Buffalo State converted on a huge third down to start the quarter, and sat 14 yards away from potentially tying this game. But two plays later, disaster struck for the Bengals as a fumbled snap bounced into the hands of Hilbert. Downed but not defeated, the Bengals’ offense left the field, and the defense came in.
Two time-consuming drives and two punts followed the fumble, leaving the Hawks’ offense to take the field again. Attempting to get out of their own end, quarterback Brody Hopkins was forced to throw, but it wouldn’t be a Hawk on the receiving end of this one. Smart, Bengals’ defensive back, intercepted the pass and ran the ball back 15 yards to the Hilbert 25, putting his team in scoring position. This play was just what the Bengals needed: a spark to keep pushing.
Four plays later, Kimble found wide receiver Mikai Johnson on a nice out-route for a 9-yard touchdown connection. Buffalo State kept applying the pressure and scored a successful two-point conversion to tie the game. The first half came to a close, and Hilbert prepared to get the ball to start the second. Final score following the second quarter, 8-8.
Third Quarter:
The Hawks came out of the locker room with some trickery, and a nice lateral play on the kick return granted them good field position. That was until a yellow flag soared onto the field, bringing the play back 10 yards. The Bengals’ defense looked unstoppable at points on the first drive of the half. Runs were stuffed, and big-time tackles were being made. The Hawks had no offensive answer. Bengals linebacker Raul Colon set the tone early in the half after a huge tackle that you could feel from the stands. This was the momentum shift Buffalo State needed.
The Bengals forced Hilbert to punt following one of the best defensive stands of the season.
SMACK!
The sound of a blocked punt rang throughout the stadium. Bengals fullback Caleb Kruzicki fought through the wall of linemen, put his hands up, and completely changed the game. Buffalo State had the ball back on the Hilbert 20-yard line.
The Bengals came out in some wildcat formations on this drive, really throwing the Hawks off. Running backs Jeadi Higdon and Chris Boadi led the charge all the way down to the 2-yard line. After a small scramble, Kimble found wide receiver Otho Cox for the touchdown, capitalizing on the blocked punt. Kicker Jason Gatti-Ezard nailed the extra point, giving the Bengals a seven-point lead.
The Bengals’ defense did not take its foot off the gas, forcing a three-and-out. As Hilbert got set to punt, everyone immediately thought of the Hartwick game two weeks prior. Could it happen again, two messed-up punts in a row? It was deja vu, the ball was snapped just out of reach for the punter, but after juggling the ball, a last effort kick sent the ball bobbling through the air.
The Bengals’ passing game was electric in this game. Wide receivers Makai Johnson and Jake Heldwein made some huge plays late in the third. Buffalo State was driving the football and chewing the clock, with the taste of victory so close yet so far away. Hilbert got the ball back following a turnover on downs and was on the move to end the quarter. Final score following the third quarter, 15-8 Bengals.
Fourth Quarter:
Each team knew what had to be done in these final 15 minutes.
Buffalo State had the lead, if they played smart and stayed the course, a win was imminent. For the Hawks, on the other hand, they needed a touchdown and a two-point conversion to put them ahead.
The Bengals’ defensive front was weakening in the final quarter, but it was not broken. Hilbert was able to find success in the running game and drove the ball all the way into field goal range. From 37 yards out, the kick was up and was no good. Buffalo State’s offense took the field again, looking to close this thing out.
Confusion plagued the Bengals at the beginning of this drive, but following a needed timeout, it was the Jeadi Higdon show. Five straight positive runs from the Bengals running back ate the clock and put the team deep in Hilbert territory. The Hawks had no answer at this point until three plays later, when Bengals wide receiver Keegan Whitfield came down with the football only to be met by the shoulder of Hawks defensive back Neven Dermady. Whitfield fumbled, and Hilbert recovered with just under five minutes left to win the game.
Hilbert’s final drive of the game left everyone watching on the edge of their seats. Starting all the way back at their own 14-yard line, the Hawks had work to do, and the Bengals weren’t going to go down without a fight. Hilbert marched down the field, both running and passing the football. All of a sudden, with nine seconds on the clock, the Hawks were nine yards away from a chance at their first win of the season. With the game on the line, Hopkins threw the ball up, and it was caught. For the second time today, Hopkins connected with Smart. Smart’s second interception of the day, this time for the game.
With two seconds on the clock, Buffalo State lined up in victory formation for the first time this year. The Bengals are heading home with their first win of the season and the sweet taste of victory. Final score, 15-8 Bengals.
Check out the detailed stats from the game:
https://buffalostateathletics.com/sidearmstats/football%3Bgame%3D11379/individual;team=away
