GAME #8 - BUFFALO STATE BENGALS AT ITHACA BOMBERS
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 - 1:00 PM
Butterfield Stadium – Ithaca, NY

FOLLOW ALONG...
LIVE STATS
VIDEO

THE MATCHUP… Buffalo State looks to get back in the win column as they travel to Ithaca for another Liberty League matchup. All-time, Ithaca has a 21-10 advantage against the Bengals following a 49-14 win last season.

THE BENGALS' LAST GAME… Buffalo State fell to Rochester last time out with a 23-2 final.

Amir Cameron (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison) was 16-29 for 150 yards and an interception. Jeadi Higdon (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) rushed for 54 yards while Otho Cox had four catches for 68 yards. On the defensive side, Evan Gallagher (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) had 13 total tackles while Richard Paul (Baldwin, NY/Erasmus Hall) had three pass breakups.

After each team's opening drives, the Bengals took over on their own 28-yard line. Cameron's pass was intercepted by Jack Diggins who returned it 70 yards for the Rochester touchdown and first score of the game. The Yellowjackets would add a field goal before the end of the quarter. Buffalo State added a field goal of their own as Rochester took a 10-3 lead into halftime.

The Yellowjackets drove down the field on their opening drive of the third quarter as Aidan Papantonis scored on a six-yard score. On their opening drive of the fourth quarter, Rochester found the end zone again to make it 23-3. Buffalo State attempted a late offensive push but could not gain any momentum as the Yellowjackets took a knee to run out the clock after a turnover on downs.

Shawn Bellenger threw for just 54 yards with a touchdown while also earning a rushing touchdown. Cole Raux posted 104 rushing yards across 19 attempts. Jack Diggins and Daniel Santos each had 11 tackles.

LAST TIME WE MET... The two sides last met a year ago as Ithaca came away with an impressive win against Buffalo State.

Amir Cameron was 12-20 through the air for 167 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Cameron also led the Bengals on the ground rushing for 52 yards including a long of 43 yards. Chris Boadi (Bronx, NY/New Visions/JFK) rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown while Mikai Johnson (Far Rockaway, NY/James Madison) had four receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Quadir McEachin had a strong showing defensively for the Bengals with 12 total tackles while Sincere Green (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown) had 11 total tackles and two for loss.

Ithaca got the scoring started quickly getting a safety on the first play of the game. The Bombers responded with a drive down field as Jake Williams rushed eight yards for the touchdown. Ithaca would add two more touchdowns in the quarter to jump out to a quick 23-0 lead. After Williams scored another touchdown early in the second quarter, Buffalo State responded with a pair of 40+ yard rushes from Cameron and Boadi to get the Bengals in the redzone. Boadi was able to rush left shortly after for the Bengals touchdown.

Coming out of the half, the Bombers came out firing with a 55-yard rushing touchdown to take a 36-7 lead. The Bombers would add two more touchdowns before the Bengals got another opportunity as Cameron found Johnson for a 42-yard touchdown. Ithaca took a knee in the final seconds to secure the win.

Matthew Parker was 21-25 for 219 yards and a touchdown for Ithaca. Jalen Leonard-Osbourne rushed for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Ryan Burns led the Bombers on the defensive side with seven total tackles.

TOP-10 IN THE LIBERTY LEAGUE… The following Bengals currently rank in the top-10 in the Liberty League at their respective positions:
Jeadi Higdon: Rushing Yards, 367, 7^th
Jeadi Higdon: Rushing Touchdowns, 3, 8^th
Keegan Whitfield: Receiving Touchdowns, 2, 7^th
Jeadi Higdon: Return Yards, 344, 3^rd
Sincere Green: Tackles for Loss, 8, 4^th
Xzaivion Betts: Passes Defended, 5, 8^th
Emerald Smart: Interceptions, 2, 2^nd
Sincere Green: Fumbles Recovered, 2, T-2^nd
Jaiden Coriano and Adrian Anderson: Forced Fumbles, 1, 5^th

OH CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!… Leading the Bengals this season are captains Amir Cameron, Mikai Johnson, Carlos Almeyda, Brody Stevens, and Ian Behrens.

ABOUT THE BENGALS' COACH… Lazarus Morgan is in his fourth season at the helm of the Buffalo State football program in 2025 after being appointed as the sixth football coach in Buffalo State history in January 2022. 

In his tenure at Buffalo State, the Bengals have earned 21 All-Liberty League selections and 26 Liberty League All-Academic team honorees.

He arrived in Buffalo after serving as the defensive coordinator at SUNY Cortland during the 2021 season, coordinating the fifth-ranked overall defense in NCAA Division III, helping guide the Red Dragons to an 11-1 record, an Empire 8 title, and a trip to the NCAA playoffs.

A native of the Bronx, Morgan played defensive back at Utica College from 2006-08, then began his coaching career at his alma mater from 2009-13. He then moved to Alfred University from 2014-19, serving as the Saxon's defensive coordinator in the final four seasons.

A LOOK AT ITHACA… The Bombers are coming off a 19-14 loss at the hand of Union which snapped Ithaca's five-game win streak.

Chris Sully leads the rushing room with 423 yards and three touchdowns while Matthew Parker has thrown for over 1,000 yards with seven touchdowns. Parker's top receiver this season has been Nicholas Lang who has 44 catches for 589 yards and five touchdowns.

Sam Tourangeau has 67 total tackles on the year including three for loss, two pass break ups, and a forced fumble. Joe Spirra has a sack and two interceptions.

SCHEDULES/RESULTS... 

BUFFALO STATE (1-6, 1-3 LIBERTY LEAGUE)

Sept. 4	BROCKPORT	L, 41-0
Sept. 13	HARTWICK	L, 29-27
Sept. 20	at Alfred State	L, 56-20
Sept. 27	at Hilbert ***	W, 15-8
Oct. 4	UNION (HOMECOMING) ***	L, 28-6
Oct. 11	at RPI ***	L, 57-13
Oct. 25	ROCHESTER ***	L, 23-3
Nov. 1	at Ithaca ***	12 PM
Nov. 8	ST. LAWRENCE ***	1 PM
Nov. 15	at Hobart ***	1 PM

*** LIBERTY LEAGUE CONTEST ***

ITHACA (5-2, 4-1 LIBERTY LEAGUE)

Sept. 6	#3 JOHNS HOPKINS	L, 42-14
Sept. 13	at Alfred	W, 45-14
Sept. 20	at Hilbert ***	W, 65-3
Sept. 27	HOBART ***	W, 13-7
Oct. 4	at Rochester ***	W, 10-6
Oct. 11	at St. Lawrence ***	W, 24-7
Oct. 25	UNION ***	L, 19-14
Nov. 1	BUFFALO STATE ***	1 PM
Nov. 8	at RPI ***	1 PM
Nov. 15	#20 CORTLAND	12 PM

*** LIBERTY LEAGUE CONTEST ***