Burch runs for 209 as Buffalo wins fifth straight, 28-7 over Ball State

Messiah Burch started running wild in late September. Now, in mid-November, he shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, he has only gotten stronger.

It's no coincidence that Buffalo began hitting its stride once it began frequenting the star running back. On Wednesday night in Muncie, the Bulls leaned on Burch 31 times, and he rewarded them with a career-high 209 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Behind Burch's best performance of the season, Buffalo rolled past Ball State 28-7, extending its winning streak to five games and keeping itself firmly in the MAC title race.

Burch crossed 1,000 rushing yards for the season in the victory, becoming the 12th player in Buffalo history to reach that milestone. He also became the the program's first 200-yard rusher since Jaret Patterson in 2020.

The senior running back's first touchdown gave the Bulls their first lead of the night, putting them ahead 14-7 late in the third quarter. Then, his signature highlight came with 4:13 remaining. Burch muscled through several Ball State defenders until he created an open lane for himself. He sprinted 67 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, extending Buffalo's advantage to 21-7 to put the game out of reach. It was Burch's sixth run of at least 40 yards this season, and only 10 FBS teams have more.

And the Bulls weren't finished. Following Burch's touchdown, Buffalo recovered its own pooch kick near the sideline, immediately giving the offense another opportunity to strike. Terrance Shelton Jr., who rushed for 92 yards of his own, capitalized with a 29-yard touchdown run. Buffalo scored two rushing touchdowns just 10 seconds apart to cement its most lopsided victory of the season.

The ground game stole the show with 302 rushing yards and three touchdowns, but Buffalo's defense was just as magnificent. The Bulls did not yield a single point to Ball State's offense in the entire 60-minute affair, repeatedly coming through in critical moments. The Cardinals converted just 4-of-15 third downs and 1-of-4 fourth downs, struggling to sustain drives from start to finish.

Ball State's lone touchdown came in unconventional fashion. The Cardinals applied pressure and pushed a Buffalo upback toward the punter. Operating with minimal space, the Bulls' punt went straight into the upback before bouncing into the open field. Ball State scooped up the loose ball for a touchdown, marking the second-straight week an opponent scored on a blocked punt sequence against Buffalo.

That would be the Cardinals' only trip to the end zone. The Bulls answered with 28 unanswered points, beginning their scoring barrage through the air. Although Buffalo completed just five passes all night, one resulted in a jump ball touchdown to Chance Morrow. The MAC's leading receiver caught his ninth touchdown of the season, and just like the previous eight, he corralled it in the end zone without needing additional yards after the catch.

Ball State (3-7, 2-4 MAC) will miss bowl eligibility for the fifth consecutive season. Outside of the shortened 2020 campaign, the Cardinals still have not produced a winning record since 2013. That streak will continue, but Ball State has opportunities to close this year with statement victories, with Ohio and Central Michigan looming on the schedule.

Buffalo (7-3, 5-1 MAC) secured bowl eligibility for the second time in three years under head coach Pete Lembo. But after winning five in a row, the Bulls are seeking more than just bowl eligibility. They are one of four teams tied atop the MAC standings at 5-1 in conference play, keeping their conference championship aspirations alive while they push toward their first appearance since 2022.