GAME #8 - BUFFALO STATE BENGALS VS HILBERT HAWKS
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 - 3:00 PM
Coyer Field – Buffalo, NY
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The matchup
The Buffalo State football team returns to action this weekend with a home matchup against the Ithaca Bombers. The Bengals are coming off their first win of the season while Ithaca is in search of their seventh straight win. All-time, the Bombers hold a 22-10 series lead over Buffalo State.
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Last time we met
Last time the two sides met, Ithaca came away with a 49-7 victory for their seventh straight win over Buffalo State.
(Brooklyn, NY/James Madison) threw for 244 yards with a touchdown.
The Bombers jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the opening quarter after rushing touchdown and a pick-six from Cam Paquette. After Ithaca added two more touchdowns, the Bengals got on the board as Cameron threw a 41-yard score. Ithaca added another touchdown to carry a 35-7 lead into halftime. The Bombers added a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter before their defense finished the job for the win.
Michael Reed was 12-17 for 119 yards and a touchdown. Chris Scully and Michael Reed each rushed for over 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Bengal breakdown
Amir Cameron (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison) has been the primary man under center throwing for 803 yards with six touchdowns, averaging 114 yards per game.
JP Plaisime (Brooklyn, NY/South Shore) has had a breakout season on the receiving side of the ball with 749 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Jake Heldwein (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) has been heating up the last three weeks with over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, Andrew Williams Jr. (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) has been a staple, tallying 43 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception.
Oh captain! My captain!
Leading the Bengals this season are captains Amir Cameron and Brody Stevens. Cameron and Stevens are two key returners for the Bengals this season with Cameron leading the way on the offensive side of the ball and Stevens on the defensive side.
Cameron played in seven games last year, totaling over 1,000 yards with four touchdowns. Stevens appeared in all ten games, tallying 66 tackles and three pass breakups.
About the Bengals' coach
Mike Neale enters his first season leading Buffalo State after most recently serving as the defensive coordinator at Delaware Valley for two seasons. During his time with the Aggies, the team compiled a 16-6 overall record and ranked second in total defense and scoring defense in the country in 2024.
A native of San Diego, Calif., Neale has totaled over 20 years of coaching experience in all three phases as well as a head coach, including 19 years at the Division III level.
Insight on Ithaca
The Bombers make the trip to Buffalo following a 35-14 conference win at Union. Ithaca is 6-1 (5-0 Liberty League) on the year and are unbeaten on home thus far.
Michael Reed has been the main man under center with 1,387 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Chris Scully has rushed for 487 yards with 12 touchdowns, averaging just under 70 yards per game.
On the defensive side, Joe Spirra has 50 total tackles. As a team, the Bombers have 16 total sacks, three interceptions, and four forced fumbles.
Head Coach Brandon Maguire is in his first season leading the Bombers. He previously was the team's offensive coordinator/QB coach for the 2024 and 2025 season. The past two seasons, Ithaca has combined for a 14-6 record overall with an 11-2 mark in conference play.
Schedules/results
Buffalo State (1-6, 1-3 Liberty League)
- Sept. 3 – at Brockport, L, 68-0
- Sept. 12 – at Hartwick, L, 47-13
- Sept. 19 – ALFRED STATE (HOMECOMING), L, 41-7
- Sept. 26 – at Union ***, L, 63-14
- Oct. 3 – at Rochester ***, L, 29-18
- Oct. 10 – RPI ***, L, 56-0
- Oct. 24 – HILBERT ***, W, 39-27
- Oct. 31 – ITHACA ***, 3 PM
- Nov. 7 – at St. Lawrence ***, 1 PM
- Nov. 14 – HOBART ***, 1 PM
*** LIBERTY LEAGUE CONTEST ***
Ithaca (6-1, 5-0 Liberty League)
- Sept. 5 – at #4 Johns Hopkins, L, 30-21
- Sept. 12 – ALFRED, W, 27-3
- Sept. 19 – HILBERT ***, W, 76-6
- Sept. 26 – ST. LAWRENCE ***, W, 66-0
- Oct. 3 – at Hobart ***, W, 27-20
- Oct. 10 – ROCHESTER ***, W, 36-0
- Oct. 24 – at Union ***, W, 35-14
- Oct. 31 – at Buffalo State ***, 3 PM
- Nov. 7 – RPI ***, 1 PM
- Nov. 14 – vs. #11 Cortland (Yankee Stadium), 1 PM
*** LIBERTY LEAGUE CONTEST ***
