BUFFALO, N.Y. — In an exhilarating game on Tuesday night, C.J. Ogbonna was instrumental in leading Buffalo to a thrilling 51-48 victory over Ball State, thanks to his five-touchdown performance that included a decisive 14-yard touchdown pass to Lamar Sperling during overtime.

The game saw Jackson Courville kick a 36-yard field goal in Ball State’s first overtime possession, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

Ogbonna showcased his impressive skill set by completing 19 of his 37 throws, amassing 264 passing yards along with three touchdowns, although he also had two interceptions. Displaying versatility, he rushed for 55 yards, scoring two additional touchdowns on the ground. Al-Jay Henderson complemented the offense with his 126 yards on 27 carries, contributing two more scores for the Bulls (6-4, 4-2 Mid-American Conference). JJ Jenkins had an outstanding game as well, hauling in eight catches for 131 receiving yards, while Victor Snow contributed six receptions for 74 yards, with each scoring a touchdown.

For Ball State (3-7, 2-4), Kadin Semonza completed 25 of 37 attempts for 327 yards. He tossed four touchdown passes but was also intercepted once. Justin Bowick shone with two touchdown catches, totaling 148 yards receiving. Furthermore, Cam Pickett made an impact with two touchdowns and generated 111 yards of total offense.

The momentum shifted in the fourth quarter when Ball State ignited a comeback, scoring 17 consecutive points. However, Ogbonna’s 26-yard touchdown run reignited the Bulls, narrowing the score to 45-37 with just over five minutes left on the clock. Subsequently, he connected with Jenkins on a 33-yard touchdown pass, capping a 10-play, 73-yard drive to tie the game at 45 with only 1:49 remaining in regulation.

As the game drew to a tense conclusion, Ball State managed to reach Buffalo’s 41-yard line but decided to punt on a fourth-and-10 with just 13 seconds remaining, leading to overtime.

Notably, all six of Ball State’s conference games this season have been decided by a mere six points or fewer, underscoring the competitive nature of their season.