Football Runs Past Buffalo 33-7
11/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Box Score
BUFFALO, N.Y. Dominating on offense and dominating on defense, the Kent State University football team received a record-setting performance from fifth-year senior running back David Alston (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro), leading the Kent State to its second straight victory, 33-7, against Mid-American Conference East Division foe University at Buffalo this afternoon (Nov. 6), at UB Stadium.
Alston tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns all in the first half and gained a career-high 174 yards on 29 carries. Senior quarterback Joshua Cribbs (Washington, D.C./Dunbar) also went over 100 yards rushing for the 14th time in his career as the Golden Flashes (3-6, 2-4 MAC) totaled 322 of their 489 yards on the ground.
Not to be outdone, the KSU defense limited Buffalo (1-8, 1-6 MAC) to just 116 total yards, with 63 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter when the game was in hand.
Junior linebacker Justin Parrish (Landover Hills, Md./Fairmont Heights) recorded three sacks, giving him 10 in the last six games and 13 on the season, breaking James Harrisons single-season mark.
It is the first time in nearly three years that the Golden Flashes have won back-to-back games.
After a slow start, the Golden Flashes scored 20 second quarter points to take a 26-0 lead at halftime. Alston scored on runs of 4, 25, 16, and 2 yards. He also added a two-point conversion run, totaling 119 yards and accounting for all of Kent States points in the opening half.
Kent State outgained Buffalo 321-29 in total yards in the first half, as both Alston and Cribbs surpassed the century mark in rushing early in the second quarter. It was the first time since 2002 KSU had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game.
Buffalo crossed the 50-yard line just once in the first half. After converting a fake punt at midfield on their opening drive, the Bulls did not pick up a first down until midway through the third quarter.
Cribbs finished with 132 yards rushing and was 17-of-25 passing for 167 yards for his 11th career and second straight "double 100" game. His seven-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter was the 38th score of his career, setting a school record. Junior receiver Tyrell McElroy (Massillon, Ohio/Massillon) caught four passes for 55 yards, both career highs, to pace the receiving corps.
Buffalos only score came on a 28-yard pass from P.J. Piskorik to Chad Upshaw with just over 13 minutes remaining in the game.
Senior linebacker Eric Mahl (Monroeville, Ohio/Monroeville) led the defense with eight total tackles. Redshirt freshman cornerback Jack Williams (Norfolk, Va./Booker T. Washington) had his second interception of the season.
Piskorik was 7-of-14 passing for 89 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Buffalo. Matt Knueven caught three passes for 26 yards. The Bulls had just four yards rushing in the contest, setting a school record for fewest yards allowed in a single-game.
The Golden Flashes close out the home schedule next Saturday, Nov. 13, on Senior Day at Dix Stadium against Eastern Michigan University. Game time is 4 p.m.
GAME NOTES: Kent State has now won consecutive games for the first time since the end of the 2001 seasons when the Golden Flashes defeated Ball State University and Miami University to close the campaignâ?¦ the win was the fourth straight for KSU against Buffaloâ?¦ the last time KSU had two 100-yard rushers in the same game was Aug. 29, 2002 when Cribbs (191) and Eddie Beecles (105) accomplished the feat in a 34-7 win over New Hampshireâ?¦ Alstons four touchdowns match the record shared by four others, most recently accomplished by Cribbs Nov. 8, 2003 at Ohioâ?¦ Alstons 26 points are the second most in a single game in school history, four shy of the record of 30â?¦ Alstons previous career highs were 141 yards (vs. Northern Illinois 10/13/01) and 22 carries (vs. UCF 9/27/03)â?¦ Cribbs also set the school record for career pass completions (560), tied the school record for rushing touchdowns (36) and points scored (228) in a career, and surpassed 3,500 rushing yards for his career (3,509)... current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Harrison had 12 sacks for Kent State in 2001â?¦ Kent States four yards allowed rushing broke the single-game mark of five that KSU limited Northern Illinois to Sept. 30, 1967â?¦ KSU has recorded at least one interception in eight of nine games this season.
