Holmes Hits Morrow Three Times, Buffalo Holds Off Albany 21-17
Source: ABC News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Thunder rumbled over the stadium, lightning flickered across the night sky, and for nearly three hours, the field sat empty as rain hammered the turf. When the clouds finally parted and the game began, the crowd at UB Stadium witnessed a back-and-forth battle that came down to a single snap inside the 1-yard line.
Buffalo quarterback Elijah Holmes turned again and again to his favorite target, Chance Morrow, delivering three touchdown passes — the final one a 5-yard strike with 4:23 left — to lift the Bulls to a 21-17 victory over Albany early Friday.
Holmes finished 26-of-47 passing for 189 yards, with Morrow hauling in seven receptions for 48 yards. The touchdowns came from 9, 4, and 5 yards out, each showing a different dimension of their chemistry. The 9-yarder in the second quarter tied the game at 7-7 after a 15-play, 75-yard drive that consumed more than six and a half minutes. Then, with 2:46 remaining in the first half, Morrow leaped over his defender along the sideline, snatched the ball, and dragged both feet in bounds for a 4-yard score that put Buffalo ahead 14-7.
Albany, an FCS program now under first-year head coach Tom Perkovich, refused to fold. The Great Danes struck first when Kai Colón found Tavahri Groves for a 14-yard touchdown with 3:02 left in the opening quarter. Buffalo’s early offensive struggles kept the game tight, but the defense kept them in it.
Just before halftime, RJ Kocan drilled a 46-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10. The kick followed a dramatic sequence: Dana Johnson Jr. strip-sacked Holmes, and Dorian Royal recovered the fumble at the Buffalo 27-yard line. Albany appeared ready to settle for a 44-yard field goal, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty on Buffalo gave Perkovich a choice. He took the penalty, accepted a fresh set of downs, and erased the points from the board. Two plays later, Justus Murray Jr. caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Colón, putting Albany ahead 17-14 with 3:23 left in the third quarter.
Buffalo’s offense sputtered until the fourth quarter, when Holmes engineered the game-winning drive. He methodically moved the chains, mixing short passes with scrambles, and capped it with a 5-yard touchdown to Morrow.
Albany had one last chance. Rahshan La Mons ran for a 4-yard gain, setting up second-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line with 1:26 on the clock. But a false start penalty pushed the Great Danes back to the 5. On fourth-and-goal, Buffalo linebacker Stevie Bracey met Luke McAuliffe at the 3-yard line, wrapping him up and driving him to the turf. The Bulls sideline erupted.
“We knew we had to make a stop,” Bracey said after the game. “We practiced that situation all week. It was just about execution.”
Buffalo (1-0) will travel to FIU on Sept. 12. Albany (1-1) visits LIU on the same day. The weather delay pushed the start past 11 p.m., but the Bulls’ late-night resilience gave them a season-opening win they won’t soon forget.
Article commentary
This game was a classic example of how weather can reshape a contest before a single snap is taken. The 2-hour, 45-minute rain delay didn’t just test the patience of fans and players — it forced both coaching staffs to adjust their game plans, warm-up routines, and mental preparation. That Buffalo emerged with a win after such a disjointed start speaks to the team’s discipline and focus. Elijah Holmes’ performance deserves particular attention. While his 26-of-47 passing line won’t win any efficiency awards, he made the plays that mattered — especially on third down and in the red zone. His connection with Chance Morrow was the difference. Morrow’s ability to win one-on-one matchups, particularly the sideline toe-tap touchdown in the second quarter, showed advanced route-running and body control. For a receiver who finished with just 48 yards, his impact was immense: three touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line. Albany’s defensive effort was strong for most of the night. The strip-sack by Dana Johnson Jr. and the recovery by Dorian Royal gave the Great Danes a golden opportunity to extend their lead. But Tom Perkovich’s decision to decline the field goal and take the penalty was a gamble that didn’t pay off. Instead of taking three points and a 20-14 lead, Albany ended up with a touchdown on the next plays — but the net result was still a 17-14 lead. However, the risk in that decision is that it gave Buffalo a chance to stay within one score. A field goal would have made it a two-possession game. Hindsight is always 20/20, but in a game decided by four points, every point matters. The false start penalty on Albany’s final drive was the kind of mental mistake that championship teams avoid. Inside the 1-yard line, with the game on the line, a false start is a devastating error. It turned a near-certain game-tying score into a fourth-and-goal from the 5, and Buffalo’s defense rose to the occasion. Stevie Bracey’s tackle was not just a highlight — it was a statement that the Bulls’ defense could hold when it mattered most. Looking ahead, Buffalo’s offense needs to find more consistency. The running game was largely absent, and Holmes’ 47 pass attempts suggest a one-dimensional attack. Against FIU and beyond, the Bulls will need to establish a run threat to keep defenses honest. For Albany, the loss is a tough one, but there are positives. The Great Danes moved the ball effectively against an FBS opponent and proved they can compete. If they clean up the penalties — especially in critical moments — they could be a factor in the FCS playoffs. Ultimately, this game was a test of resilience. The delay, the momentum swings, the late goal-line stand — it had all the drama of a classic. And when the final whistle blew, Buffalo had earned a hard-fought victory that could define their season.