AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — University at Buffalo’s football team was rerouted in its midseason rally toward contention in the Mid-American Conference with a 24-14 loss against Bowling Green on homecoming Saturday at UB Stadium.

The Bulls (2-5) had won their first two MAC contests after starting the season 0-4 in non-conference games. UB’s opportunistic defense was unable to overcome a stagnant offense, as it had in the past two victories.

Bowling Green (3-4) out-gained Buffalo 295 yards to 238, scoring 17 points, and the Falcons’ special teams scored on a blocked punt that gave the visitors a 24-7 lead before halftime.

UB’s defense had three takeaways and didn’t allow any points in the second half.

CJ Ogbonna replaced starting quarterback Cole Snyder in the second half, and was 4 of 14 passing for 41 yards and a 24-yard touchdown pass to Darrell Harding in the third quarter. Ogbonna, a transfer from Southeast Missouri State, was intercepted twice, and added 29 yards rushing.

“We had a package for (Ogbonna) that we had been working on and then he could be creative with his legs when things broke down to maybe get some first downs. But we ended up playing him more than maybe we anticipated just because overall, we were not able to move the ball like we wanted to offensively,” Buffalo head coach Maurice Linguist told reporters after the game.

Snyder was 5 of 15 passing for 30 yards and two interceptions. He ran for an 11-yard touchdown and lost a fumble.

Jayden Oliver and Chrles McCartherens had intereptions for the Bulls, and Marcus Fuqua recovered a fumble that was forced by Joe Andreesen (Lancaster).

UB visits Kent State next Saturday.

WIVB digital producer Justin McMullen contributed.