Leopards and Rams fall to FBS opponents in season openers
 
AT BUFFALO BULLS (1-0, 0-0 MAC) 30, NO. 18/17 LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS (0-1, 0-0 PL) 13
Buffalo, N.Y./UB Stadium  Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
BUFFALO, N.Y. – A pair of second-half touchdowns helped Lafayette cut a 16-point deficit to 10 early in the fourth quarter, but the Leopards could not complete the comeback in a 30-13 loss at Buffalo in their season opener.
*Lafayette trailed 16-0 at the half but took advantage of a blocked punt by sophomore running back Troy Bruce deep in Bulls’ territory.
*Two plays later, the Leopards set up a double pass that resulted in sophomore wide receiver Carson Persing tossing an 18-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Dallas Holmes.
*After a Buffalo touchdown, Lafayette responded in the fourth quarter with an 11-play, 66-yard drive capped by sophomore quarterback Dean DeNobile connecting with senior wide receiver Chris Carasia on a 13-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 23-13.
*Carasia finished with a game-high eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, while DeNobile completed 23-of-33 passes for 162 yards, one score and two interceptions.
*Buffalo capitalized on a Lafayette interception late in the fourth quarter, putting the game out of reach with a touchdown run to make the score 30-13 with 5:25 left.
*Lafayette senior linebacker Preston Forney recorded a team-high seven tackles while reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Jaylon Joseph (So. DL) added four tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss of six yards.
RECAPS: LAFAYETTE
 
AT BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (1-0, 0-0 MAC) 41, FORDHAM RAMS (0-1, 0-0 PL) 17
Bowling Green, Ohio/Doyt Perry Stadium     Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Fordham senior running back Julius Loughridge finished with 178 all-purpose yards, but the Rams could not keep pace with FBS foe Bowling Green in a 41-17 loss in their season opener.
*Loughridge rushed for 112 yards on 16 carries and added 66 receiving yards on four catches to lead the Rams’ offense.
*Junior quarterback CJ Montes completed 13-of-21 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown, while senior wide receiver Cole Thornton caught two passes for 33 yards and a score.
*Rams’ freshman linebacker Jaylen Dawson recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops. Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Matt Jaworski (Sr. DL) added five tackles.
*The Falcons scored the first 27 points, including a game-opening 100-yard kickoff return by junior running back Justin Pegues.
*Fordham freshman placekicker Bennett Henderson connected on a 24-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to put the Rams on the scoreboard for the first time.
*Montes capped a four-play, 75-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Thornton to make the score 27-10.
*After a pair of Bowling Green touchdowns, the Rams scored with 24 seconds remaining in the game when junior quarterback Jack Capaldi completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jack Betten.
RECAPS: FORDHAM
 
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