Buffalo’s Chase Pryor Torches Penn State in Shocking 23–17 OT Win
By Skylar Williams for DSN
The noise at Beaver Stadium was deafening. Until it wasn’t.
On the first offensive snap of the game for Buffalo, sophomore Chase Pryor took the handoff, hit the hole, and was gone. Eighty yards later, the crowd was stunned silent as the Bulls took a 7–0 lead against mighty Penn State.
It was the opening salvo of what became one of the most shocking upsets in recent memory as Buffalo took down Penn State 23 - 17 in overtime.
Pryor, a former high school runningback turned option quarterback, entered the game with gaudy numbers but a fair amount of skepticism from national pundits.
Week 1 vs. Albany: 38 carries, 285 yards, 3 TD
Week 2 at FIU: 29 carries, 291 yards, 4 TD
Despite the historic production, critics questioned whether Pryor’s success could translate against a Power Five defense.
Instead, Pryor doubled down on his growing legend.
He finished the day with 224 rushing yards on 22 carries, 65 yards on 12 receptions and all three Buffalo touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, a 17-yard sprint off right tackle where he stiff-armed a safety and dragged a linebacker into the end zone.
The Bulls controlled much of the first half. After Pryor’s lightning strike, Buffalo added a 34-yard field goal from Kali Nguma in the second quarter to take a 10–3 halftime lead.
The fourth quarter, however, nearly undid everything.
Pryor’s 1-yard plunge with 2:57 remaining gave Buffalo a 17–3 lead. But Penn State responded with a pair of back-breaking scores:
After an interception Penn State's Quinton Martin Jr. punched in a 1-yard TD.
One minute later, A.J. Harris returned a tipped interception 83 yards to tie the game at 17 with just over a minute left, tying the game for the Nittany Lions.
Suddenly, the comeback was complete, and Pryor’s heroic day was at risk of being wasted.
Penn State won the toss and started with the ball in overtime. On their very first play, they gave it away on a fumble, setting up Buffalo for the historic win.
It took Chase Pryor just two plays to finish it. On second down from the 17-yard line, he saw a crease, hit it, and never looked back.
Game. Over.
"You can’t coach what Chase has. That’s vision, willpower, and toughness. And he’s only just getting started." Buffalo Head Coach Pete Lembo said after the win.
"I know people thought we’d come here and fold. But we play football too. I wanted this one. For my team. For myself." Pryor added.