NIU opens season with 49-30 loss to visiting Buffalo

DEKALB — Jaret Patterson had 20 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns and the Buffalo defense scored three touchdowns as the Bulls beat Northern Illinois 49-30 on Wednesday night.

Patterson opened the scoring with a 5-yard run about three minutes into the game and his 56-yard touchdown with 2:14 left in the first half gave Buffalo (1-0, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) a 21-10 lead. The junior has a school-record 35 career rushing touchdowns in just 28 games.

Tim Terry Jr. and Isaiah King scored on fumble returns of 46 and 42 yards, respectively, and Kadofi Wright had a 65-yard pick-six that made it 49-16 with 12:14 to play.

Ross Bowers had 202 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception for NIU (0-1, 0-1). Tyrice Richie had nine receptions for 106 yards.

Kyle Vantrease completed 11 of 17 for 175 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Nunn, and scored on a 4-yard run. Nunn finished with six catches for 102 yards.