By Jared H. Furness, Sports Analyst
On September 7, 2024, the Buffalo Bulls played the No. 9 Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field. Missouri won 38-0. This article looks at player stats, key plays, and game numbers. I’m Jared H. Furness, a sports writer who covers football, basketball, and baseball. My work is on big sports websites, and I make games easy to understand. Here, I break down what happened in this game with simple words and clear facts. Let’s see who shined and why.
Game Snapshot
Missouri crushed Buffalo in a shutout, 38-0. The Tigers moved to 2-0, while Buffalo dropped to 1-1. The game was at Memorial Stadium with 62,621 fans. Missouri’s defense stopped Buffalo’s offense cold. Buffalo tried hard but couldn’t move the ball well. Missouri’s offense started slow but got hot in the second quarter. This analysis shows the players and stats that made the difference.
Buffalo Bulls: Who Stood Out
Buffalo’s offense had a rough day. They got only 169 yards total. Missouri’s fast defense made it tough for Buffalo to score. Let’s look at the main players.
Offense: Tough Day Passing and Running
- Quarterback C.J. Ogbonna: Ogbonna hit 6 of 20 passes for 55 yards. He threw one interception and no touchdowns. His completion rate was 30%. Missouri’s defense, like corner Dreyden Norwood, pressured him. Ogbonna ran for 13 yards on 8 tries. His best run was 6 yards. Missouri’s pass defense kept him from finding receivers.
- Running Back Jacqez Barksdale: Barksdale was a highlight. He ran for 67 yards on 15 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. His longest run was 12 yards. He got a key fourth-down play in the fourth quarter, gaining 2 yards to keep a drive going. Barksdale was strong, but Missouri’s line stopped big runs.
- Receiver Victor Snow: Snow led with 4 catches for 41 yards. His longest catch was 15 yards. He was the top target but couldn’t break free. Missouri’s secondary, like Marvin Burks Jr., kept him under control.
Defense: Giving It Their All
Buffalo’s defense worked hard, especially early. They held Missouri to 3 points in the first quarter. They kept Missouri’s star receiver Luther Burden III to 3 catches for 15 yards. Here are the top defenders:
- Linebacker Shaun Dolac: Dolac made 16 tackles, his career best. He had 1 tackle for loss. He was all over the field, slowing Missouri’s runs and passes. His effort kept Buffalo close early.
- Cornerback Marquis Cooper: Cooper had 12 tackles, his best ever. He helped stop Missouri’s short passes.
- Linebacker Red Murdock: Murdock had 10 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He stopped some runs but couldn’t halt Missouri’s second-quarter rush.
- Cornerback Charles McCartherens: McCartherens grabbed an interception off Missouri’s Brady Cook. He also broke up a pass. His play showed Buffalo’s secondary could fight.
Where Buffalo Struggled
Buffalo converted just 1 of 12 third downs (8.3%). They also failed on 2 of 3 fourth downs. Their passing game was weak, with only 55 yards. Missouri’s pressure rushed Ogbonna’s throws. The run game was okay but not enough to compete. Per GameonPaper, Buffalo’s offense ranked in the 5th percentile or lower in eight of nine defensive categories. They couldn’t match Missouri’s speed and strength.
Missouri Tigers: Who Shined
Missouri’s offense and defense were too strong. They gained 518 yards total, with 255 rushing and 263 passing. Their defense allowed no points, their second shutout in a row. Let’s check the key players.
Offense: Big Plays in the Second Quarter
- Quarterback Brady Cook: Cook was the star. He completed 26 of 28 passes for 228 yards. He had no passing touchdowns but one interception. He ran for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns. His best play was a 31-yard run where he jumped over a defender and dove into the end zone. Cook’s running and passing confused Buffalo.
- Running Back Nate Noel: Noel led with 73 yards on 12 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He scored 1 touchdown. His speed opened the field.
- Receiver Theo Wease Jr.: Wease had a big game with 13 catches for 149 yards. His longest catch was 39 yards. He played short, medium, and deep routes. He left briefly with a shoulder issue but came back strong.
- Receiver Luther Burden III: Burden had 3 catches for 15 yards and a 3-yard rushing touchdown. He left early due to illness. Buffalo’s defense focused on him, limiting his catches.
Defense: A Brick Wall
Missouri’s defense was tough. They allowed 169 yards and forced three turnovers. They sacked Buffalo’s quarterback three times and stopped 11 of 12 third downs. Key defenders were:
- Freshman Jahkai Lang: Lang had 1.5 sacks. He showed he can rush the passer well.
- Defensive End Johnny Walker Jr.: Walker had 2 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. He stopped Buffalo’s runs.
- Defensive Tackle Chris McClellan: McClellan had 0.5 sacks and blocked the middle.
- Safety Marvin Burks Jr.: Burks grabbed an interception off Ogbonna. It set up a Missouri score.
Missouri’s Strengths
Missouri’s offense had a 61% play success rate, in the 99th percentile nationally. They converted 9 of 15 third downs (60%) and 1 of 2 fourth downs. Their defense was amazing, with back-to-back shutouts, not done since 1935. They controlled the game and kept Buffalo to 3.2 yards per play.
Game Numbers: Comparing the Teams
This table shows how the teams stacked up:
| Stat | Buffalo Bulls | Missouri Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 169 | 518 |
| Passing Yards | 55 | 263 |
| Rushing Yards | 114 | 255 |
| Yards per Play | 3.2 | 6.2 |
| Third-Down Conversion | 1/12 (8.3%) | 9/15 (60%) |
| Fourth-Down Conversion | 1/3 (33.3%) | 1/2 (50%) |
| Turnovers | 1 (Interception) | 1 (Interception) |
| Sacks | 0 | 3 |
| Time of Possession | 21:39 | 38:21 |
Missouri held the ball for almost 40 minutes, wearing out Buffalo’s defense. Their 6.2 yards per play was double Buffalo’s 3.2. Buffalo’s third-down struggles kept drives short. Missouri’s three sacks broke Buffalo’s rhythm.
Big Moments in the Game
The game was close early, with Missouri up 3-0 after the first quarter. The second quarter changed everything. Here’s how it went:
- First Quarter (Missouri 3, Buffalo 0): Missouri’s Blake Craig made a 51-yard field goal but missed a 49-yard try. Buffalo’s defense held Missouri to one big play. Buffalo moved the ball but failed on a fourth-down pass.
- Second Quarter (Missouri 24, Buffalo 0): Missouri scored three touchdowns. Luther Burden III ran for a 3-yard touchdown. Brady Cook scored on a 3-yard run and a 31-yard scramble. Buffalo failed another fourth-down try and missed a 48-yard field goal by Nick Reed.
- Third Quarter (Missouri 31, Buffalo 0): Nate Noel scored a touchdown. Buffalo’s defense held Missouri to 7 points for most of the quarter.
- Fourth Quarter (Missouri 38, Buffalo 0): Jamal Roberts scored a 3-yard touchdown late. Buffalo got one fourth-down play but couldn’t score.
Missouri’s second-quarter burst was too much. Their defense kept Buffalo from scoring, even on good drives.
What Buffalo Can Work On
Buffalo’s passing game needs help. They had only 55 yards in the air. Ogbonna must handle pressure better. The run game, with Barksdale, was solid but needs bigger plays. The defense was good early, holding Missouri to 3 points in the first quarter. Players like Dolac and Cooper can build on this. Buffalo plays UMass next, a chance to improve passing and keep drives going.
What Missouri Can Work On
Missouri’s offense was strong but started slow. They need to score early. Brady Cook’s running and passing are great, but his interception shows he can improve. The defense is top-notch, with no points allowed in two games. They must stay sharp against tougher teams like Boston College next. Kicker Blake Craig missed two field goals, so he needs work on long kicks.
Why This Game Matters
This game showed Missouri’s power. Their defense is one of the best, with shutouts in back-to-back games. Brady Cook and Theo Wease Jr. led the offense. Buffalo fought hard, with players like Shaun Dolac and Jacqez Barksdale showing heart. But Missouri’s speed and strength were too much. Both teams can learn from this game for their next matchups.
Conclusion
The Missouri Tigers beat the Buffalo Bulls 38-0 on September 7, 2024. Brady Cook and Theo Wease Jr. powered Missouri’s offense. Their defense stopped Buffalo completely. Buffalo’s Shaun Dolac and Jacqez Barksdale tried hard but couldn’t keep up. I’m Jared H. Furness, and I write simple, fun sports stories for big websites. This analysis uses clear stats and stories to explain the game. Want more football breakdowns? Check my work on sports sites. Share your favorite game moment below!
Disclaimer: This article analyzes the Buffalo Bulls vs. Missouri Tigers football game on September 7, 2024, using public data and stats. It’s for information only, not promotion. I’m not linked to either team or betting groups. Check NCAA.com or team websites for official stats.
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Jared H. Furness loves sports! He writes about football, basketball, and baseball. He looks at player stats and tells fun, easy stories. His articles are very simple to read. Everyone can understand them! You can find his writing on big sports websites. He talks about how players play, exciting game moments, and smart plans. For example, he writes about games like Boston College Eagles vs. UVA and Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins. Jared writes his own stories, and they follow Google’s rules. They’re easy to find on Google and never copied. Fans and experts love his stories about stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and fun EuroLeague basketball moments. Jared makes sports writing super fun and clear!