Buffalo QB Elijah Holmes to undergo season-ending knee surgery
Holmes, a Division II transfer who won the starting QB role at UB, has been out since the FIU game in Week 2.
Elijah Holmes, the Week 1 starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bulls, will undergo knee surgery, effectively ending his 2026 campaign.
Buffalo head coach Pete Lembo announced Holmes' status at UB's post-practice press availability on Tuesday afternoon, with The Buffalo News' Marquel Slaughter first to report.
YOU KNOW WHY IM HERE 🏈
— Marquel Slaughter (@MarquelSports) October 6, 2026
Buffalo preparing to visit Toledo this weekend.
Lembo announced that QB Elijah Holmes will have season-ending knee surgery.@TBNSports @UBuffaloFB @MACSports pic.twitter.com/yozClwnDmQ
Holmes won the starting role over Jason Wright in fall camps after transferring in from Division II Wingate, where Holmes tossed for 3,040 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions on a 60 percent completion rate, and ran for 290 yards and three scores in 2025.
Holmes has been out of the lineup since getting injured against FIU back on Sept. 12th. Holmes will finish the 2026 campaign 35-of-61 passing with 350 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions over parts of two contests.
Jason Wright, who has started in place of Holmes since the Penn State contest, is now the presumed starter for the rest of the season. Wright has thrown for 555 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on a 50 percent completion rate, while also running for 90 net yards (148 non-sack) and a touchdown.
Senior quarterback Mason Cumbie is now listed as Wright's backup after serving as the scout team QB the last two years.
UB is set to travel to Toledo next Saturday to take on the Rockets, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.
