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Buffalo at Pittsburgh

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 27–⁠16. It was their first meeting; after it, Pittsburgh led the series 1–⁠0.

AwayBuffalo8–⁠6 in 2008
16
HomePittsburgh9–⁠4 in 2008
27

Final at Acrisure Stadium, PittsburghTV: ESGPAttendance 42,494

At kickoff
67°F, overcast, wind 9 mph from the northwest, gusts to 21 mphWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Allegheny County Airport (KAGC), 13 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Buffalo637016
Pittsburgh01071027

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Buffalo

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Drew Willy21/3422311
RushingCarYdsTDLong
James Starks2097014
Brandon Thermilus420114
Jeff Niedermier0303
Naaman Roosevelt1303
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Brett Hamlin577139
Naaman Roosevelt665023
Ernest Jackson443015
Gary Rice321011
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Domonic Cook100

Pittsburgh

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Bill Stull22/3324101
RushingCarYdsTDLong
LeSean McCoy2093318
LaRod Stephens-Howling72109
Dorin Dickerson1909
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Oderick Turner569036
T.J. Porter657020
Derek Kinder330015
Cedric McGee328010
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Eric Thatcher100

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

BuffaloPittsburgh
348Total yards352
237Passing yards264
125Rushing yards111
6.6Yards per pass7.1
3.9Yards per rush3.6
22First downs22
6–⁠13Third downs8–⁠13
1–⁠1Fourth downs0–⁠0
1Turnovers1
6–⁠60Penalties3–⁠25
18:37Possession18:03

Efficiency

BuffaloPittsburgh
52%Success rate51%
0.20EPA per play0.15
0.86Explosiveness0.86
0.18Rushing EPA0.06
0.21Passing EPA0.26
48%Passing-down success28%
−0.04First-down EPA0.11
0.24Second-down EPA−0.28
0.58Third-down EPA1.08
2%Havoc by its defense2%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Pittsburgh 60% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Pittsburgh end zoneBuffalo end zoneQ1 BuffaloMissed FG, 9 playsQ1 PittsburghPunt, 6 playsQ1 BuffaloTouchdown run, 15 playsQ1 PittsburghTouchdown run, 7 playsQ2 BuffaloPunt, 7 playsQ2 PittsburghField goal, 14 playsQ2 BuffaloField goal, 10 playsQ2 PittsburghInterception, 4 playsQ2 BuffaloEnd of halfQ3 PittsburghTouchdown run, 10 playsQ3 BuffaloTouchdown pass, 7 playsQ3 PittsburghPunt, 4 playsQ3 BuffaloPunt, 7 playsQ3 PittsburghTouchdown run, 10 playsQ4 BuffaloPunt, 6 playsQ4 PittsburghField goal, 9 playsQ4 BuffaloInterception, 7 playsQ4 PittsburghEnd of game, 2 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Pittsburgh drives left to right, Buffalo right to left.
  1. Q1 BuffaloMissed FG, 9 plays, 34 yards
  2. Q1 PittsburghPunt, 6 plays, 7 yards
  3. Q1 BuffaloTouchdown run, 15 plays, 73 yards
  4. Q1 PittsburghTouchdown run, 7 plays, 67 yards
  5. Q2 BuffaloPunt, 7 plays, 11 yards
  6. Q2 PittsburghField goal, 14 plays, 69 yards
  7. Q2 BuffaloField goal, 10 plays, 62 yards
  8. Q2 PittsburghInterception, 4 plays, 23 yards
  9. Q2 BuffaloEnd of half, 0 yards
  10. Q3 PittsburghTouchdown run, 10 plays, 63 yards
  11. Q3 BuffaloTouchdown pass, 7 plays, 74 yards
  12. Q3 PittsburghPunt, 4 plays, 2 yards
  13. Q3 BuffaloPunt, 7 plays, 26 yards
  14. Q3 PittsburghTouchdown run, 10 plays, 74 yards
  15. Q4 BuffaloPunt, 6 plays, 30 yards
  16. Q4 PittsburghField goal, 9 plays, 53 yards
  17. Q4 BuffaloInterception, 7 plays, 14 yards
  18. Q4 PittsburghEnd of game, 2 plays, 5 yards

Play by play

1st quarter4 drives, then Buffalo 6, Pittsburgh 0
Buffalo Missed FG, 9 plays
14:531st & 10 at own 40Drew Willy pass complete to Ernest Jackson for 8 yards to the Buff 48.
14:302nd & 2 at own 48Naaman Roosevelt rush for 3 yards to the Pitt 49 for a 1ST down.
14:001st & 10 at opp 49Drew Willy pass complete to Naaman Roosevelt for 6 yards to the Pitt 43.
14:002nd & 4 at opp 43Buffalo penalty 5 yard illegal formation accepted, no play.
13:132nd & 9 at opp 48Drew Willy pass incomplete.
12:503rd & 9 at opp 48Drew Willy pass complete to Brett Hamlin for 14 yards to the Pitt 34 for a 1ST down.
12:331st & 10 at opp 34Drew Willy pass incomplete.
12:202nd & 10 at opp 34James Starks rush for 4 yards to the Pitt 30.
11:303rd & 6 at opp 30Drew Willy pass complete to Brett Hamlin for 4 yards to the Pitt 26.
11:014th & 2 at opp 26A.J. Principe 44 yard field goal BLOCKED.
Pittsburgh Punt, 6 plays
10:561st & 10 at own 28Bill Stull pass incomplete.
10:242nd & 10 at own 28LeSean McCoy rush for 6 yards to the Pitt 34.
10:093rd & 4 at own 34Bill Stull pass complete to Oderick Turner for 12 yards to the Pitt 46 for a 1ST down.
10:001st & 10 at own 46Bill Stull pass incomplete.
9:282nd & 10 at own 46Bill Stull pass incomplete.
9:033rd & 10 at own 46Bill Stull sacked for a loss of 10 yards, fumbled, recovered by Pitt at the Pitt 35.
8:524th & 21 at own 35Dave Brytus punt for 42 yards, returned by Naaman Roosevelt for 4 yards to the Buff 27.
Buffalo Touchdown run, 15 plays
8:261st & 10 at own 27James Starks rush for 6 yards to the Buff 33.
0:002nd & 4 at own 33James Starks rush for 3 yards to the Buff 36, tackled by Rashaad Duncan and Scott McKillop.
0:003rd & 1 at own 36Chris Scharon rush for 2 yards to the Buff 38, tackled by Scott McKillop for a 1ST down.
0:001st & 10 at own 38James Starks rush for 9 yards to the Buff 47, tackled by Austin Ransom and Scott McKillop.
0:002nd & 1 at own 47James Starks rush for 9 yards to the Pitt 44, tackled by Eric Thatcher for a 1ST down.
0:001st & 10 at opp 44James Starks rush for 6 yards to the Pitt 38, tackled by Eric Thatcher.
0:002nd & 4 at opp 38Drew Willy pass complete to Ernest Jackson for 11 yards to the Pitt 27, tackled by Jovani Chappel for a 1ST down.
0:001st & 10 at opp 27Drew Willy pass incomplete to N/A.
0:002nd & 10 at opp 27Drew Willy pass complete to Ernest Jackson for 9 yards to the Pitt 18, tackled by Dom DeCicco.
0:003rd & 1 at opp 18James Starks rush for no gain to the Pitt 18, tackled by Austin Ransom.
3:204th & 1 at opp 18Drew Willy rush for 1 yard to the Pitt 17 for a 1ST down.
3:111st & 10 at opp 17Drew Willy pass incomplete.
2:372nd & 10 at opp 17Drew Willy pass complete to Naaman Roosevelt for 7 yards to the Pitt 10.
2:243rd & 3 at opp 10Drew Willy pass complete to Brett Hamlin for 9 yards to the Pitt 1 for a 1ST down.
1:591st & goal at opp 1Brandon Thermilus rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Buffalo 6, Pittsburgh 0
1:59A.J. Principe extra point BLOCKED.
1:57A.J. Principe kickoff for 61 yards returned by Aundre Wright for 24 yards to the Pitt 33.
Pittsburgh Touchdown run, 7 plays
1:201st & 10 at own 33LeSean McCoy rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Pitt 32.
0:402nd & 11 at own 32Bill Stull pass complete to LeSean McCoy for 5 yards to the Pitt 37.
0:153rd & 6 at own 37Buffalo penalty 15 yard personal foul accepted, no play.
0:011st & 10 at opp 48LeSean McCoy rush for 6 yards to the Buff 42.
Q2 14:362nd & 4 at opp 42Bill Stull pass complete to Cedric McGee for 9 yards to the Buff 33 for a 1ST down.
Q2 14:111st & 10 at opp 33Bill Stull pass complete to Derek Kinder for 15 yards to the Buff 18 for a 1ST down.
Q2 13:401st & 10 at opp 18Bill Stull pass complete to Nate Byham for 14 yards to the Buff 4 for a 1ST down.
Q2 13:311st & goal at opp 3LeSean McCoy rush for 3 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Tied at 6
Q2 13:31Conor Lee extra point GOOD.Pittsburgh 7, Buffalo 6
Q2 8:51Luke Briggs kickoff for 66 yards returned by Naaman Roosevelt for 9 yards to the Buff 13.
2nd quarter4 drives, then Pittsburgh 10, Buffalo 9
Buffalo Punt, 7 plays
13:011st & 10 at own 13Drew Willy rush for 3 yards to the Buff 16.
12:122nd & 7 at own 16James Starks rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Buff 15.
11:473rd & 8 at own 15Drew Willy pass complete to Jesse Rack for 10 yards to the Buff 25 for a 1ST down.
11:471st & 10 at own 25James Starks rush for 14 yards to the Buff 25, Buffalo penalty 15 yard personal foul accepted for a 1ST down.
10:541st & 10 at own 24James Starks rush for 1 yard to the Buff 25.
9:592nd & 9 at own 25Drew Willy pass complete to James Starks for 3 yards to the Buff 28.
9:083rd & 6 at own 28Drew Willy sacked for a loss of 4 yards to the Buff 24.
8:514th & 10 at own 24Gerry McGroarty punt for 49 yards, downed at the Pitt 27.
Pittsburgh Field goal, 14 plays
8:401st & 10 at own 27Bill Stull pass complete to T.J. Porter for 14 yards to the Pitt 41 for a 1ST down.
8:101st & 10 at own 41LaRod Stephens-Howling rush for 8 yards to the Pitt 49.
7:592nd & 2 at own 49Bill Stull pass complete to T.J. Porter for 3 yards to the Buff 48 for a 1ST down.
7:121st & 10 at opp 48Bill Stull pass complete to T.J. Porter for 14 yards to the Buff 34 for a 1ST down.
6:251st & 10 at opp 34LaRod Stephens-Howling rush for 9 yards to the Buff 25.
6:152nd & 1 at opp 25Bill Stull pass incomplete.
5:513rd & 1 at opp 25LaRod Stephens-Howling rush for 7 yards to the Buff 18 for a 1ST down.
5:201st & 10 at opp 18LaRod Stephens-Howling rush for a loss of 3 yards to the Buff 21.
4:552nd & 13 at opp 21LaRod Stephens-Howling rush for 3 yards to the Buff 18.
4:253rd & 10 at opp 18Bill Stull rush for 11 yards to the Buff 7 for a 1ST down.
3:331st & goal at opp 7LaRod Stephens-Howling rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Buff 8.
3:302nd & 0 at opp 8Timeout PITTSBURGH, clock 03:30.
3:272nd & 0 at opp 8Pittsburgh penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
3:272nd & goal at opp 13Bill Stull pass incomplete.
2:503rd & goal at opp 13Bill Stull pass complete to Cedric McGee for 9 yards to the Buff 4.
2:424th & goal at opp 4Conor Lee 21 yard field goal GOOD.Pittsburgh 10, Buffalo 6
2:35Luke Briggs kickoff for 70 yards for a touchback.
Buffalo Field goal, 10 plays
2:351st & 10 at own 20Drew Willy pass incomplete.
2:082nd & 10 at own 20James Starks rush, fumbled, recovered by Buff Jeff Niedermier at the Buff 32, Jeff Niedermier for 3 yards, to the Buff 35 for a 1ST down.
2:001st & 10 at own 35Drew Willy pass complete to Ernest Jackson for 15 yards to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down.
1:351st & 10 at the 50Drew Willy pass complete to Naaman Roosevelt for 4 yards to the Pitt 46.
1:002nd & 6 at opp 46Drew Willy pass complete to Naaman Roosevelt for 23 yards to the Pitt 23 for a 1ST down.
0:501st & 10 at opp 23Drew Willy rush for 10 yards to the Pitt 13 for a 1ST down.
0:501st & 10 at opp 13Timeout PITTSBURGH, clock 00:50.
0:451st & 10 at opp 13Drew Willy pass incomplete.
0:452nd & 10 at opp 13Timeout BUFFALO, clock 00:45.
0:392nd & 10 at opp 13Drew Willy pass incomplete.
0:403rd & 10 at opp 13Timeout BUFFALO, clock 00:40.
0:363rd & 10 at opp 13Drew Willy pass incomplete.
0:354th & 10 at opp 13Buffalo penalty 5 yard delay of game accepted.
0:334th & 15 at opp 18A.J. Principe 35 yard field goal GOOD.Pittsburgh 10, Buffalo 9
0:00A.J. Principe kickoff for 70 yards returned by LaRod Stephens-Howling for 19 yards to the Pitt 19.
Pittsburgh Interception, 4 plays
0:081st & 10 at own 19LeSean McCoy rush for 9 yards to the Pitt 28.
0:082nd & 1 at own 28Timeout PITTSBURGH, clock 00:08.
0:042nd & 1 at own 28LeSean McCoy rush for 14 yards to the Pitt 42 for a 1ST down.
0:031st & 10 at own 42Team pass incomplete.
0:012nd & 10 at own 42Bill Stull pass intercepted by Domonic Cook at the Buff 20, returned for no gain to the Buff 20.
Q3 15:00A.J. Principe kickoff for 64 yards returned by LaRod Stephens-Howling for 21 yards to the Pitt 37.
3rd quarter4 drives, then Pittsburgh 17, Buffalo 16
Pittsburgh Touchdown run, 10 plays
14:481st & 10 at own 37Bill Stull pass complete to Oderick Turner for 11 yards to the Pitt 48 for a 1ST down.
13:591st & 10 at own 48Bill Stull pass complete to Oderick Turner for 5 yards to the Buff 47.
13:352nd & 5 at opp 47LeSean McCoy rush for 1 yard to the Buff 46.
13:073rd & 4 at opp 46Bill Stull pass complete to Oderick Turner for 6 yards to the Buff 40 for a 1ST down.
12:511st & 10 at opp 40Bill Stull pass complete to LeSean McCoy for 24 yards to the Buff 16 for a 1ST down.
12:001st & 10 at opp 16LeSean McCoy rush for 1 yard to the Buff 15.
11:192nd & 9 at opp 15Bill Stull pass complete to Derek Kinder for 4 yards to the Buff 11.
11:053rd & 5 at opp 11Bill Stull pass complete to Nate Byham for 5 yards to the Buff 6 for a 1ST down.
10:321st & goal at opp 6LeSean McCoy rush for 5 yards to the Buff 1.
10:042nd & goal at opp 1LeSean McCoy rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Pittsburgh 17, Buffalo 9
10:04Conor Lee extra point GOOD.
7:45Luke Briggs kickoff for 60 yards returned by Naaman Roosevelt for 16 yards to the Buff 26.
Buffalo Touchdown pass, 7 plays
9:351st & 10 at own 26James Starks rush for 8 yards to the Buff 34.
9:102nd & 2 at own 34James Starks rush for 6 yards to the Buff 40 for a 1ST down.
8:471st & 10 at own 40Pittsburgh penalty 15 yard pass interference on Eric Thatcher accepted, no play.
8:221st & 10 at opp 45Drew Willy pass complete to Brett Hamlin for 11 yards to the Pitt 34 for a 1ST down.
8:131st & 10 at opp 34James Starks rush for 7 yards to the Pitt 27.
7:452nd & 3 at opp 27James Starks rush for 1 yard to the Pitt 26.
6:503rd & 2 at opp 26James Starks rush for 2 yards to the Pitt 26, Buffalo penalty 37 yard personal foul accepted for a 1ST down.
6:411st & 10 at own 39Drew Willy pass complete to Brett Hamlin for 61 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Pittsburgh 17, Buffalo 15
7:45A.J. Principe extra point GOOD.Pittsburgh 17, Buffalo 16
6:41A.J. Principe kickoff for 60 yards returned by LaRod Stephens-Howling for 26 yards to the Pitt 36.
Pittsburgh Punt, 4 plays
6:241st & 10 at own 36Bill Stull pass complete to Derek Kinder for 11 yards to the Pitt 47 for a 1ST down.
5:271st & 10 at own 47Bill Stull pass complete to T.J. Porter for no gain to the Pitt 47.
4:592nd & 10 at own 47LeSean McCoy rush for 3 yards to the 50 yard line.
4:053rd & 7 at the 50Bill Stull sacked by Mike Thompson for a loss of 12 yards to the Pitt 38.
3:524th & 19 at own 38Dave Brytus punt for 44 yards, downed at the Buff 18.
Buffalo Punt, 7 plays
3:461st & 10 at own 18Drew Willy pass incomplete.
3:202nd & 10 at own 18Brandon Thermilus rush for 14 yards to the Buff 32 for a 1ST down.
2:451st & 10 at own 32Brandon Thermilus rush for 2 yards to the Buff 34.
2:312nd & 8 at own 34Pittsburgh penalty 5 yard offside defense accepted, no play.
1:552nd & 3 at own 39Brandon Thermilus rush for 3 yards to the Buff 42 for a 1ST down.
1:321st & 10 at own 42Drew Willy pass incomplete.
0:522nd & 10 at own 42Drew Willy pass complete to Naaman Roosevelt for 4 yards to the Buff 46.
0:293rd & 6 at own 46Drew Willy sacked for a loss of 2 yards to the Buff 44.
0:014th & 8 at own 44Peter Fardon punt for 38 yards, returned by Aaron Berry for 8 yards to the Pitt 26.
4th quarter5 drives, then Pittsburgh 27, Buffalo 16
Pittsburgh Touchdown run, 10 plays
14:441st & 10 at own 26LaRod Stephens-Howling rush for a loss of 2 yards to the Pitt 24.
13:492nd & 12 at own 24Bill Stull pass complete to T.J. Porter for 6 yards to the Pitt 30.
13:253rd & 6 at own 30Bill Stull pass complete to T.J. Porter for 20 yards to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down.
12:381st & 10 at the 50Bill Stull pass complete to Nate Byham for 6 yards to the Buff 44.
12:202nd & 4 at opp 44Bill Stull pass incomplete.
11:563rd & 4 at opp 44Bill Stull pass complete to Cedric McGee for 10 yards to the Buff 34 for a 1ST down.
11:351st & 10 at opp 34LeSean McCoy rush for 2 yards to the Buff 32.
10:562nd & 8 at opp 32LeSean McCoy rush for 18 yards to the Buff 14 for a 1ST down.
10:431st & 10 at opp 14LeSean McCoy rush for 12 yards to the Buff 2 for a 1ST down.
10:211st & goal at opp 2LeSean McCoy rush for 2 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Pittsburgh 23, Buffalo 16
10:21Conor Lee extra point GOOD.Pittsburgh 24, Buffalo 16
10:21Luke Briggs kickoff for 65 yards returned by Naaman Roosevelt for 17 yards to the Buff 22.
Buffalo Punt, 6 plays
9:551st & 10 at own 22James Starks rush for 5 yards to the Buff 27.
9:322nd & 5 at own 27Drew Willy pass incomplete.
9:253rd & 5 at own 27Drew Willy pass complete to Naaman Roosevelt for 21 yards to the Buff 48 for a 1ST down.
8:401st & 10 at own 48James Starks rush for no gain to the Buff 48.
8:082nd & 10 at own 48Drew Willy pass complete to Gary Rice for 9 yards to the Pitt 43.
7:203rd & 1 at opp 43James Starks rush for no gain to the Pitt 43.
7:124th & 1 at opp 43Timeout BUFFALO, clock 07:12.
6:574th & 2 at opp 44Buffalo penalty 4 yard illegal motion accepted, no play.
6:574th & 6 at opp 48Peter Fardon punt for 30 yards, returned by Aaron Berry for 5 yards to the Pitt 23.
Pittsburgh Field goal, 9 plays
6:201st & 10 at own 23LeSean McCoy rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Pitt 22.
6:072nd & 11 at own 22Bill Stull pass incomplete.
5:373rd & 11 at own 22Bill Stull pass complete to Oderick Turner for 36 yards to the Buff 42 for a 1ST down.
5:241st & 10 at opp 42Dorin Dickerson rush for 9 yards to the Buff 33.
4:302nd & 1 at opp 33LeSean McCoy rush for 2 yards to the Buff 31 for a 1ST down.
3:561st & 10 at opp 31Bill Stull pass complete to Dorin Dickerson for 7 yards to the Buff 24.
3:382nd & 3 at opp 25Bill Stull pass incomplete.
3:383rd & 3 at opp 25Bill Stull pass incomplete.
3:314th & 3 at opp 24Conor Lee 42 yard field goal GOOD.Pittsburgh 27, Buffalo 16
3:31Luke Briggs kickoff for 66 yards returned by Ernest Jackson for 17 yards to the Buff 21.
Buffalo Interception, 7 plays
3:111st & 10 at own 21Drew Willy pass complete to Gary Rice for 1 yard to the Buff 22.
2:542nd & 9 at own 22James Starks rush for 6 yards to the Buff 28.
2:323rd & 3 at own 28Drew Willy pass complete to James Starks for 4 yards to the Buff 32 for a 1ST down.
2:201st & 10 at own 32Drew Willy pass incomplete.
2:082nd & 10 at own 32Drew Willy pass complete to Gary Rice for 11 yards to the Buff 43 for a 1ST down.
1:361st & 10 at own 43Drew Willy sacked for a loss of 8 yards to the Buff 35.
1:252nd & 18 at own 35Drew Willy pass intercepted by Eric Thatcher at the Pitt 36, returned for no gain to the Pitt 36.
Pittsburgh End of game, 2 plays
1:111st & 10 at own 36LeSean McCoy rush for 3 yards to the Pitt 39.
0:302nd & 7 at own 39LeSean McCoy rush for 2 yards to the Pitt 41.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Buffalo–Pittsburgh game

Pittsburgh leads 4–⁠0 in four meetings, counting the three since this game.

Recent meetings
2012Pittsburgh 20, Buffalo 6
2011Pittsburgh 35, Buffalo 16
2009Pittsburgh 54, Buffalo 27
2008Pittsburgh 27, Buffalo 16

Around this game

Buffalo

Pittsburgh

Ranked games that day

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