Smiths power Troy victory

Associated Press

MOBILE, Ala.

Sawyer Smith threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns, B.J. Smith and Sidney Davis ran for touchdowns and Troy beat Buffalo 42-32 in the Dollar General Bowl on Saturday night.

Troy (10-3) secured the hard-fought win on Davis’ 20-yard touchdown run with 3:09 remaining, a play after Buffalo’s Tyree Jackson fumbled to give the Trojans possession. It was the Bulls’ third lost fumble.

The entertaining game that had several big swings in momentum, especially during a strange third quarter that featured Buffalo scoring seven points despite not running an offensive play.

Troy took a 21-17 lead on Smith’s 2-yard touchdown run with 9:47 left in the third and then immediately recovered an onside kick. The Trojans were driving for another score before a B.J. Smith fumble bounced into the hands of Buffalo’s Tyrone Hill, who ran 93 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulls a 24-21 lead.

Troy jumped ahead 35-24 after two quick touchdowns in the fourth quarter and held off Buffalo’s final rally.

Buffalo’s Jackson threw for 274 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Buffalo (10-4) took the early 7-0 lead on Jaret Patterson’s 11-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the game. The drive was helped by a spectacular 51-yard pass completion that bounced off K.J. Osborn’s hands and pinballed between a few Troy defenders before being caught by Buffalo’s Antonio Nunn.

Troy bounced back quickly with its own huge gain through the air — a 60-yard touchdown from Sawyer Smith to Tray Eafford.

The game stayed tight throughout the first half and Buffalo took a 17-14 lead late in the second quarter on Adam Mitcheson’s 41-yard field goal. The Bulls had the halftime lead despite three turnovers, including two fumbles.

It’s a disappointing loss for the Bulls, who are still looking for their first bowl win in program history. Buffalo dominated at times, but the four turnovers proved to be tough to overcome.