September 23, 2000 -- Optimism about the University at Buffalo football program wasn't exactly at a fever pitch on this day. The Bulls had one of the nation's longest losing streaks at 18 games going into the Mid-American Conference opener with Bowling Green.
Late in the fourth quarter, it looked as UB's chances were as bleak as the weather. A steady rain drenched the 8,081 in UB Stadium, and their favorites were losing, 17-13.
Then Marquis Dwarte took a pitch from quarterback Joe Freedy. Dwarte took off on a 27-yard touchdown run with 1:27 left to play.
"Coach called "47 toss' to the wide side of the field," Dwarte said to Tim Graham of The News. "We got a good kick-out block, and once I got underneath the block, I just turned it on and headed to the end zone."
UB held on from there, and notched its first victory over a Division I opponent since a 1970 win against Holy Cross.
"This has been a long process," UB coach Craig Cirbus said. "We've won one game, but that means a lot to those people who have been through the losing seasons.
"I think it was our time."
--- Budd Bailey
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