WESTERN MICHIGAN vs. BUFFALO GAME NOTES
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
Pregame
- This is the 86th annual Homecoming game for WMU.
- WMU is 3-1 in Homecoming games under Bill Cubit.
- WMU has never lost to the University of Buffalo (4-0).
- WMU S Doug Wiggins needs two forced fumbles to tie the WMU single season record with six.
- WMU WR Juan Nunez carries a 20-game reception streak into the game, although he is not expected to play.
- WMU QB Tim Hiller needs 16 passing yards to become the eighth MAC quarterback to reach the 10,000 yard mark for his career.
- Hiller enters the game tied with Byron Leftwich for second all-time in the MAC in TD passes.
- Hiller's collegiate debut came against the University of Buffalo on Oct. 1, 2005. He threw his first career TD pass in the game (16 yards- Greg Jennings).
- Hiller is second on the NCAA active list in TD passes.
- WMU RB Brandon West needs 141 rushing yards to pass Shawn Faulkner for third in school history.
- West needs 221 kickoff-return yards to become the all-time NCAA leader.
- Buffalo has had six 100-yard receiving games this season; four by Naaman Roosevelt, and two by Brett Hamlin.
- The Bulls are 3-16 all-time against the MAC West under Head Coach Turner Gill.
- WMU game captains are QB Tim Hiller and DT Cody Cielenski
- Buffalo game captains are SS Davonte Shannon, WR Naaman Roosevelt, and FS Mike Newton
First Quarter
- Buffalo won the toss and deferred to the second half.
- Longest kick return of season for RB Brandon West- 53 yards.
- Hiller reaches 10,000 career passing yards with 7-yard completion to Ansel Ponder.
- First career TD reception for WR Ansel Ponder.
- Tim Hiller's 90th career TD pass, moving him into sole possession of second place in MAC history.
- Shortest scoring drive allowed this season by WMU (11 yards), and second one play scoring drive allowed this season.
- Five straight completions to start game for Hiller.
- Longest career reception for WR Trey Smith- 14 yards.
- Longest reception of season for RB Brandon West- 27 yards.
- First career game with two receiving touchdowns for WR Ansel Ponder.
- 28th career game with multiple TDs for Hiller.
- 91st career TD pass for Hiller.
- Hiller has now thrown a TD to 19 different receivers in his career.
- 71 yard punt on first career punt for Buffalo P John Rachuna.
Second Quarter
- Career-long 42-yard reception for WR Robert Arnheim.
- Season-high 5-yard reception for RB Glenis Thompson.
- Five consecutive games with a made field goal for WMU K John Potter.
- Career-long 50-yard rush for Buffalo RB Ike Nduka.
- First career interception for DE Justin Braska.
- Career-high five receptions for Ansel Ponder. Also a career-high in receiving yards for Ponder.
- 46-game reception streak for Buffalo's Naaman Roosevelt.
- Season-high in receiving yards for Brandon West.
- Second interception of season for SS Jamail Berry. Career-long 45-yard interception return.
Third Quarter
- Career-long 42-yard rush for Buffalo QB Zach Maynard.
- Buffalo RB Ike Nduka ties career-high with second rushing TD of game.
- 21st career rushing TD for West and sixth of the season.
- New career-high in receiving yards for WR Trey Smith.
- Career-long rush for QB Alex Carder- 8 yards.
Fourth Quarter
- Seventh 100-yard receiving game for Buffalo this season and third of season for WR Brett Hamlin.
- 15th career 300-yard passing game for Hiller and third of the season.
- Third career 100-yard rushing game for Buffalo RB Ike Nduka. Also third of career.
- First career FG block for DT Drew Nowak.
- Third 100-yard rushing game of season for RB Brandon West and 12th of his career.
- Career-high in receiving yards for Buffalo TE Jesse Rack.
- Career-long 56-yard rush for Buffalo RB Ike Nduka.
- Team season-high in receptions for Ansel Ponder and first game of ten or more receptions for WMU this season.
- Career-long 26-yard reception for WR Trey Smith.
- Second rushing TD of game and 13th of career for West.
- Third game this season with two or more TDs for West.
- New career-high in rushing yards for Nduka.
- Career high in passing attempts for Buffalo QB Zach Maynard.
- Maynard ties career high in completions (26).
- 28-yard field goal by Buffalo K A.J. Principe forces overtime.
- Fourth 4th Quarter comeback engineered by Hiller in career at WMU and second consecutive fourth quarter comeback against Buffalo.
Overtime
- First overtime game of season for WMU.
- Second consecutive time WMU and Buffalo have gone to overtime (last- Oct. 11, 2008- WMU won 34-28).
- CORRECTION: Nduka has TIED career-high in rushing yards because of a one-yard loss on OT carry.
- New season-high in rushing attempts for West.
- First game-winning field goal for K John Potter.
- Second consecutive overtime win for WMU, and second consecutive overtime win over Buffalo.
