Troy
Bulls Host Troy in Non-Conference Tilt on Saturday
9/16/2025 1:20:00 PM | Football
Buffalo (2-1, 1-0 MAC) vs. Troy (1-2, 0-0 SBC)
September 20, 2025
UB Stadium - 3:30 pm
Bulls on the Air
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Television
ESPN+
Storylines
• This is the second meeting between Buffalo and Troy. It's a rematch of the 2018 Dollar General Bowl, a game the Trojans won, 42-32.
• This is the first time Buffalo will play a team from the Sun Belt Conference since playing at Louisiana in 2023.
• The Bulls are 2-4 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt Conference. UB's last win against a Sun Belt Conference opponent was against Georgia Southern in the 2022 Camellia Bowl. They have also played current members Marshall and James Madison prior to them joining the league.
• The last Sun Belt Conference team to visit UB Stadium was Coastal Carolina in 2021.
• The Bulls have averaged 485 yards of total offense over the last two games.
• Ta'Quan Roberson's 318 passing yards at Kent State were the most by a UB quarterback since Kyle Vantrease threw for 365 yards against Ball State in the 2020 MAC Championship game.
• Victor Snow has had a receiving touchdown in six straight regular season games dating back to last season. He became the first UB player since Alex Neutz in 2012 to have a touchdown catch in each of the first three games of the season. No player in the Bulls' FBS era (since 1999) has had a touchdown catch in each of the first four games of a season.
• The Bulls have blocked a punt in each of the last two games.
• Troy special teams analyst Tyler Hancock served as Buffalo's special teams coordinator last season.
Bulls Host Troy in Non-Conference Tilt on Saturday
The University at Buffalo football team will host Troy on Saturday afternoon at UB Stadium.
Buffalo is 2-1 on the season and is coming off a 31-28 win at Kent State last Saturday. The Bulls were led by quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson who threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
Troy is 1-2 on the season and is coming off a 28-7 loss to Memphis last Saturday. The Trojans are led by running back Trae Meadows who has rushed for 269 yards and a touchdown on the season.
The Trojans lead the all-time series 1-0. Troy won the last meeting, 42-32, in the 2018 Dollar General Bowl.
Roberson and Gonser Honored by MAC
Ta'Quan Roberson and Mitchell Gonser were named the Mid-American Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, the league announced on Monday. Both played key roles in the Bulls' victory over Kent State.
Roberson completed 28-of-40 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns.
Gonser had a game-high 11 tackles, a sack and three tackles for loss in the win.
Roberson Settling In
Quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson had the best game of his early UB career to help the Bulls beat Kent State in the MAC opener last week. Roberson finished 28-for-40 for 318 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning TD with just over one minute to play.
It was the most passing yards by a UB quarterback since Kyle Vantrease threw for 365 yards against Ball State in the 2020 MAC Championship game. It was the most passing yards on the road by a UB quarterback since Tyree Jackson threw for 350 yards at Ball State in 2017.
Roberson transferred to UB after spending last season at Kansas State. He saw action in six games and went 3-for-7 for 18 yards and added a 7-yard rush.
The New Jersey native spent the previous two seasons at UConn where he started 10 games in 2023. He threw for 2,075 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 120 yards on the ground and two scores. Roberson began his career at Penn State as a reserve quarterback for three seasons. In 2021, he played in four games and threw for 85 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 24 yards.
O My!
The Bulls have kicked the offense into high gear in recent weeks, averaging 485 yards of total offense over the last two games.
Buffalo rolled up 503 yards of offense against Saint Francis on Sept. 6 and followed with 457 yards of offense against Kent State.
The Bulls have been multidimensional, utilizing the run against Saint Francis and the pass against Kent State. The Bulls rushed for 370 yards against Saint Francis and threw for 318 yards against Kent State.
Buffalo ranks third in the MAC in total offense, averaging 368 yards per game.
Block Party
The Bulls have blocked a punt in each of the last two games. Connor Henderson had a block against Saint Francis and Miles Greer had a block at Kent State.
It marks the first time since the 2012 season Buffalo has blocked a punt in consecutive games. Adam Reddon had a blocked punt against UMass and Bowling Green that season.
Al-Jay All Day
Not only is running back Al-Jay Henderson Buffalo's leading rusher, but he is second on the team with 10 receptions through three games. He had a career-best eight receptions against Kent State last week. It was the most receptions in a game by a running back since Mike Washington had eight catches against Akron in 2022.
Henderson leads the team in all purpose yards, averaging 93 yards per game.
Let it Snow
Wide receiver Victor Snow has picked up where he left off last season. Through two games, Snow has 11 catches for 168 yards and three touchdowns. He has a touchdown catch in each of the first three games of the season to extend his regular season streak to six straight games dating back to last season. He is averaging 15.3 yards per reception
As a punt returner, Snow ranks second in the MAC with a 10.9 average on nine punt returns.
The Webster, NY native led the Bulls in receiving a season ago with 55 catches for 651 yards and six touchdowns en route to earning All-MAC Third Team honors.
New York Nik
Nik McMillan was having a promising start to the 2024 campaign before suffering a season-ending injury in week two. Back healthy, McMillan has returned to form and is currently tied for the team lead in receptions with 11.
He had the best game of his career at Kent State last week with seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown - all career highs.
Red Murdock Named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Linebacker Red Murdock is one of 11 FBS players named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.
An All-MAC First Team selection, Murdock has been as impressive off the field as he has been on it. Along with volunteering at numerous community service events, he is the founder and director of the Virginia Homework Helpers branch - a free K-12 tutoring program for students back in his home state of Virginia. He founded this organization after seeing many of his peers struggle in school with no extra help resulting in getting in trouble outside of school or dropping out. He hopes this helps young men and women finish their education under the premise of it being a potential escape from the vicious cycle of becoming a product of high-risk environments.
Running Down a Dream
Buffalo rushed for 370 yards in its victory over Saint Francis. It was the most rushing yards by a UB team since the Bulls rushed for 515 yards against Kent State in 2020.
Al-Jay Henderson led the way with 98 yards and two touchdowns and Ta'Quan Roberson rushed for 88 yards and two scores. Roberson scored on a 40-yard touchdown run in the game, the longest TD run by a UB quarterback since Tyree Jackson scored on a 75-yard run at Kent State in 2017.
All six running backs who saw action in the game rushed for at least 30 yards - James McNeil, Jr. (64), Lamar Sperling (48), Messiah Burch (39), Terrance Shelton (33).
New Dynamic Duo
Last season linebackers Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock ranked first and second in the nation in tackles. With the departure of Dolac to graduation, junior linebacker Dion Crawford is looking to fill the void.
If the opening game at Minnesota is any indiction, the Bulls are in good shape. Murdock had a game-high 16 tackles and Crawford added a career-best 14 tackles against the Gophers.
Code Red
Linebacker Red Murdock is coming off one of the most productive seasons in program history. The All-MAC First Team selection ranked second in the nation with 156 tackles which was third in program history for a single season. He added 16.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. His seven forced fumbles on the year were a school record and ranked first in the nation.
With 11 career forced fumbles, Murdock is five shy of the NCAA record of 16 career forced fumbles held by former Bull Khalil Mack.
Murdock was named a preseason fourth-team All-American by Athlon Sports and ranks 90th on the list of Top 100 players in college football by ESPN.
This season, Murdock leads the MAC in tackles, averaging 10.7 per game.
OK, Al-Jay
Al-Jay Henderson is coming off a career-best 1,000-yard season for the Bulls. He became the 11th different player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season in program history. His 1,078 rushing yards in 2024 ranks 10th in program history for a single season.
He got stronger down the stretch of the 2024 campaign, averaging 124.6 yards over the final five games of the season.
Over his career, he is averaging 5.1 yards per carry which ranks fifth in program history.
Portal Friendly
The Bulls only lost one starter to the transfer portal following last season. Kicker Upton Bellenfant transferred to Texas Tech. In total, only four players who appeared on the depth chart for the 2024 Bahamas Bowl entered the transfer portal.
New Faces
Despite only losing a few players to the transfer portal, it didn't stop the UB coaching staff from dipping into the portal to strengthen the team. Eleven transfers joined the Bulls prior to the 2025 campaign.
All 11 of the transfers appear on the Bulls' depth chart for week one, including projected starters QB Ta'Quan Roberson (Kansas State), C Jake Timm (LIU), WR Jasaiah Gathings (UConn), CB Koentez Bradley (Arizona State), S Miles Greer (Shepard) and K Jack Howes (Maryland).
Others appearing on the depth chart include OL Jake Merritt (Michigan State), TE Marcus Velez (Bethune-Cookman), LB Mitchell Gonser (Harvard), LB Connor Henderson (North Texas) and P Ethan Stumpf (East Carolina).
13 Bulls Named to Athlon Preseason All-MAC Team
Athlon Sports released its preseason All-Mid-American Conference football team and 13 University at Buffalo players were named to the squad. The list was headlined Red Murdock who, along with being named to the first team was also selected as a preseason fourth-team All-American.
Joining Murdock on Athlon's Preseason All-MAC First Team were running back Al-Jay Henderson, wide receiver Victor Snow, offensive linemen Trevor Brock and Tyler Doty, edge Kobe Stewart, defensive tackle George Wolo and linebacker Dion Crawford.
Offensive lineman Henry Tabansi, cornerback Marquis Cooper and safety Solomon Brown were named to the second team. Snow was also named as a second-team punt returner.
Making the third team were wide receiver Nik McMillan and nickel Jalen McNair.
Experience on the Offensive Line
An area Buffalo returns experience is the offensive line. UB returns three starters on the offensive linemen.
Guard Tyler Doty has started 35 games over the last three seasons and was an All-MAC Third Team selection in 2023 and 2024.
Trevor Brock is also in his third season as a starter. He has started 20 games heading into the 2025 campaign. He was named All-MAC Third Team last season.
Henry Tabansi will move to left tackle after starting 13 games last season at right tackle.
Other returners on the offensive line who have seen action in the lineup include redshirt-sophomore Gabriel Arena and redshirt-junior Alex Heininger.
Home Sweet Home
For the first time in program history, the Bulls will host seven home games in 2025. After playing the opener at Minnesota on August 28, their other three non-conference games (Saint Francis, Troy and UConn) will be played at UB Stadium. UB will also host four of its eight Mid-American Conference games at home.
New Coaches
Buffalo welcomed three new assistant coaches prior to the 2025 season. Chris Monfiletto is the new special teams coordinator, Isiah Dunning coaches the defensive line and Jordan Johnson coaches the running backs.
It's a homecoming for Johnson who is a Buffalo native and played for the Bulls from 2012-16. He was an All-MAC selection in 2016 after rushing for 1,040 yards and six touchdowns.
Bulls Picked Fourth in Preseason Poll
Buffalo was picked to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll according to the MAC head coaches.
Toledo was picked first with 135 points, followed by Miami (131), Ohio (123), Buffalo (115), Northern Illinois (94), Bowling Green (81), Western Michigan (71), Eastern Michigan (68), Central Michigan (65), Ball State (41), Akron (39), Massachusetts (39) and Kent State (12).
Toledo was selected as the preseason favorite to win the MAC Championship.
On The Airwaves
Again this season, University at Buffalo football can be heard locally on ESPN 1520, a 50,000-watt station with one of the strongest signals in the nation. The Bulls can also be heard on 1280 AM in Rochester.
Calling all the play-by-play action of Bulls football for his 26th year, and 18th consecutive, will be Paul Peck. Scott Wilson is back for his eighth season as analyst. Brad Riter also returns as game host.
The UB Football postgame show will once again take place at The Anchor Bar on Maple Road with host Bob Gaughan.
