AMHERST, N.Y. (AP)—Tim Hiller’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Branden Ledbetter in overtime lifted Western Michigan to a 34-28 win over Buffalo Saturday.
Western Michigan (6-1, 4-0 Mid-American Conference) scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and sent the game into overtime when Hiller found Jamarko Simmons in the end zone with 5 seconds left to play. Hiller completed 42-of-63 passes and threw 345 yards and four touchdowns.
Buffalo (2-4, 1-2 MAC) had the ball first in overtime and drove to the Broncos’ 11-yard line, but Drew Willy’s pass tipped off Naam Roosevelt’s hands and into the arms of Western’s Louis Delmas. Willy was 17-of-34 for 157 yards and gave up one interception.
Western Michigan drew within 21-14, scoring on a 6-yard Hiller-to-Juan Nunez connection with 9:23 remaining in the fourth quarter, followed with a two-point conversion.
Then Buffalo’s Mike Newton intercepted a pass and scored what appeared to be a game-clinching TD. But it was called back when linebacker Justin Winters was flagged for roughing the quarterback.
Brandon Thermilius scored on a 1-yard run, making it a 28-14 game at 5:14 in the fourth quarter. Hiller led the Broncos down the field again, hitting Schneider Julien with a 13-yard scoring pass with 4:08 left on the clock.
Western regained possession with 1:55 left at its own 34-yard line. Hiller found Julien with a 29-yard pass and Simmons for another 24 yard, setting up first and goal at the 9-yard line.
Hiller connected with Simmons on third and goal for the game-tying touchdown.
James Starks scored three touchdowns for Buffalo and ran for 125 yards on 28 attempts.
Head to Head - Week 7
| Team | Total Yds | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | First Downs | 3rdD% | Pen./Yds | Turnovers | Time of Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Michigan | 397 | 345 | 52 | 23 | 35.7% | 9/63 | 3 | 26:53 |
| Buffalo | 322 | 164 | 158 | 20 | 50.0% | 5/49 | 1 | 33:07 |