By Mark Scott
Detroit, MI – The University at Buffalo Bulls beat the previously unbeaten Ball State Cardinals 42-24 Friday night to win the Mid-American Conference championship.
The Bulls returned fumbles 92 and 74 yards on consecutive drives late in the third quarter to take a 28-17 lead.
Buffalo won its first MAC title, capping the program's first bowl-eligible season since joining college football's top tier of teams in 1999.
Buffalo is now 8 and 5 and is insured of its first winning season in the MAC. Coach Turner Gill told ESPN after the game that he was "speechless." The game was televised nationally on ESPN2.
Immediately after the game, the Bulls acccepted an invitation to play in the International Bowl in Toronto on Saturday, January 3rd. It will mark the first time the Bulls will play in a post-season bowl game.