Memphis Tigers special teams coach Pete Lembo leads his players during practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletics Complex on Thursday, April 4, 2019.

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Buffalo extends contract of head coach Pete Lembo

Buffalo head coach Pete Lembo agreed to a one-year contract extension on Tuesday that boosts his deal with the school through the 2029 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed for Lembo, who guided the Bulls to a 9-4 record and a 26-7 victory over Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl in his first year on the job. The season win total was one shy of Lance Leipold (2018) for the most in the program’s history.

“Pete Lembo exceeded expectations as our head football coach during his first year at UB,” Buffalo director of athletics Mark Alnutt said. “He has definitely earned and deserves a contract extension. He has instilled an unbelievable culture in our program that resulted in a very successful year both on and off the field.

“In addition to his extension, I recognize the work that his coaching staff has done to contribute to this success and have provided Pete additional resources to assist him with retaining and recruiting critical members of his staff. An incredible foundation has been built under Pete’s leadership and I look forward to continued success as we as a University community work together to build this program as one of the top programs in the Group of Five.”

Lembo, 54, previously was the head coach at Lehigh (2001-05), Elon (2006-10) and Ball State (2011-15), amassing a 112-65 record at those schools.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen throws a pass, warming up before the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 19, 2025.

Bills seek revenge in AFC Championship rematch vs. Chiefs

The Buffalo Bills have patiently been waiting four years to get revenge against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City will host Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday night in a rematch of a 2021 meeting that the Chiefs won 38-24 to reach the Super Bowl.

It was a different time back then. Only 17,000 fans were allowed into Arrowhead Stadium because of pandemic-related health and safety measures, and most of that limited crowd was naturally pro-Kansas City.

Bills coach Sean McDermott believes Buffalo will have more support this time around.

“It’s huge,” McDermott said of having Bills fans in enemy territory. “We’ve gone on the road, we’ve played at home — our fans travel everywhere and anywhere that we play. So, we’ve got the best fans in the NFL. I think that the connection with our fan base, as I’ve said multiple times over, is unique in the NFL.”

Still, it’s going to take a lot more than having some rowdy fans in the building to beat the Chiefs, who have won eight straight playoff games. Only the New England Patriots (10 wins in a row from 2001-05) and the Green Bay Packers (nine in a row from 1961-68) have been able to string more victories together in the postseason.

A win on Sunday would send Kansas City to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year, and considering the Chiefs have won the past two, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is aware of the target that he and his teammates have on their backs.

“You have to combat,” Mahomes said. “You have to look at your weaknesses and try to make those strengths, and then your strengths, make them even better, because you know that (the Bills are) gonna go out there and try to take away those things.

“It’s a great football team. Like I said, great players, well-coached and we know it’s gonna take our best in order to find a way to get a win.”

Kansas City and Buffalo have faced off six times since colliding in the 2021 AFC Championship Game, with two of those meetings in the postseason. The Chiefs won both of the divisional-round matchups, most recently taking out the Bills with a 27-24 victory in last season’s playoffs.

However, when the teams last met, Buffalo topped Kansas City 30-21 in Week 11 of this season.

McDermott doesn’t necessarily think the win will help the Bills come Sunday, though.

“That game stands alone, as this game will,” he said. “As you saw with our experience last week (against the Baltimore Ravens), these games are individual of each other.”

Buffalo edged the Ravens 27-25 to set up the date with Kansas City, which got past the Houston Texans 23-14.

Bills safety Taylor Rapp sustained a hip injury against Baltimore and wouldn’t have practiced on Wednesday anyway, but Buffalo only held a walkthrough. Rapp is also dealing with a back issue. Offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (illness) would have also been held out of practice, while linebacker Matt Milano (biceps/hamstring) was listed as limited.

Everyone on the Chiefs had the green light at their practice on Wednesday, including Mahomes, who popped up on the injury report because of his ankle. He suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 15 but didn’t miss any time and was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

–Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaps away from Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Oct. 6, 2024.

MVP favorites Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen ready for playoff showdown

The two leading candidates for the NFL MVP award will share the field Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Buffalo Bills in an AFC divisional playoff game.

But neither Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson nor Buffalo’s Josh Allen view it as a one-on-one battle when the teams square off at Orchard Park, N.Y.

Regardless, the chatter is loud and the contest seemingly continues to narrow down to Lamar vs. Josh.

Jackson is in the mix for his third MVP award. Allen is trying to win his first.

“In the history of football, I’ve never played against another quarterback,” Allen said Wednesday. “I played against their defense.”

Jackson is trying to avoid the comparisons and the MVP discussions, and makes it clear he has no interest in being pals with other quarterbacks.

“We competing against each other,” Jackson said Wednesday. “I’m trying to beat you. I’m not trying to be your friend.”

Veteran Bills linebacker Von Miller sees the appeal of the game and not just because a spot in the AFC Championship Game is on the line.

“He’s an elite player, I’m a huge fan of Lamar for a bunch of years,” Miller said. “Battle of MVPs this weekend. They have a really good team. But we have a good team, as well. That’s why you play the game. You have one game to prove it. It’s not a best-of-seven. You play 60 minutes.”

The second-seeded Bills recorded a 31-7 rout of the visiting Denver Broncos in last week’s wild-card round while the third-seeded Ravens dominated the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14.

Baltimore racked up 299 rushing yards against the Steelers with Derrick Henry rushing for 186 and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

Henry was signed as a free agent in March after spending his career with the Tennessee Titans and has given the Ravens an extra element. He rushed for 1,921 yards and tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in the regular season.

“Having him is huge,” said Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, Henry’s former college teammate at Alabama. “I know it’s no fun taking those hits because he usually takes those hits to the defenders. He’s always been a pretty locked-in guy.”

Baltimore is trying to return to the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens lost at home to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 last season.

Jackson is just 3-4 as a playoff starter and Baltimore is trying to win two games in the same postseason for the first time since Joe Flacco quarterbacked them to the Super Bowl title in the 2012 season.

Buffalo has lost in this round in three straight campaigns after reaching the AFC title game in the 2020 season, where the Bills fell to the Chiefs. Allen is 6-5 as a playoff starter, including a 17-3 divisional-round win over the Ravens in the 2020 campaign.

Earlier this season, the Ravens rolled to a 35-10 home victory over the Bills on Sept. 29. Henry scored on an 87-yard run as part of a season-best 199-yard day on the ground.

Jackson passed for two touchdowns that day while Allen didn’t throw for any.

“I don’t think either team has taken a step back in any way — both teams are better across the board,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said while reflecting on the previous matchup. “Both teams have kind of defined their personalities a little bit more over the course of the season. It’s kind of what you’d expect at this point.”

Buffalo coach Sean McDermott really doesn’t need a reminder of how the first matchup went.

“They handled us pretty good the first go-around and they’re certainly playing well, well-coached,” McDermott said. “(Harbaugh) won a Super Bowl and comes from great pedigree, so it’ll be a big challenge for us.”

Buffalo reserve running back Ray Davis (concussion) is listed as questionable after being a limited practice participant all week.

Ravens receiver Zay Flowers (knee) is doubtful after missing practice all week. He was injured in the regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns and sat out against the Steelers.

“He can play without practicing — for sure — if he feels healthy enough and if it’s safe for him,” Harbaugh said earlier in the week.

Baltimore returner/receiver Deonte Harty (knee) is listed as questionable after practicing all week. Harty would have to be activated from injured reserve to play Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) turns up field after making a catch in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Bills WR Amari Cooper (personal reasons) ruled out vs. Patriots

Buffalo wide receiver Amari Cooper has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at the New England Patriots and didn’t travel with the team after being excused for a personal family matter, the team announced Saturday.

Cooper, 30, has started four of eight games that he’s played with Buffalo since he was traded from Cleveland on Oct. 15 along with a 2025 sixth-round pick for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round selection.

He has 20 receptions on 32 targets for 297 yards and two touchdowns with the Bills. Cooper started six games for the Browns and had 24 catches for 250 yards and two TDs.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection including last season, Cooper has 711 career receptions for 10,033 yards and 64 touchdowns in 154 games (143 starts) for the Oakland Raiders (2015-18), Dallas Cowboys (2018-21), Browns (2022-24) and Bills.

The Raiders picked Cooper fourth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

Buffalo elevated offensive lineman Will Clapp and defensive end Casey Toohill from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday.

The Bills (13-3) already have clinched the AFC East title and a home game in the first round of the playoffs, while the Patriots (3-13) are concluding their season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bulls quarterback C.J. Ogbonna (7) hands off to running back Al-Jay Henderson (5) against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Buffalo wins fifth straight, stymies Liberty in Bahamas Bowl

Al-Jay Henderson ran for 119 yards and a touchdown while Red Murdock returned an interception for a score as Buffalo dominated short-handed Liberty for a 26-7 win Saturday in the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau.

C.J. Ogbonna was 9-of-19 passing for 137 yards and Upton Bellenfant booted four field goals as the Bulls (9-4) finished the season on a five-game winning streak. They outgained the Flames 359-242.

Ryan Hunter, making his second career start, was 4-of-12 passing for 40 yards before giving way to backup Nate Hampton. Hampton tossed the pick-six that Murdock returned 31 untouched yards with 12:09 left in the game. Hampton bounced back to hit Reese Smith for a 36-yard touchdown with seven minutes remaining for Liberty’s only points.

Liberty (8-4) was damaged by opt-outs and the transfer portal before the bowl game. It lost quarterback Kaidon Salter — who led it to the Group of 5 spot in the BCS last season — to Colorado, and saw running back Quinton Cooley (1,254 rushing yards) opt out.

Without that duo, the Flames generated just two legitimate scoring threats before their one touchdown. The first was just before halftime but ended when Colin Karhu pushed a 49-yard field goal wide right with seven seconds left.

The second came in the third quarter after Henderson’s 45-yard touchdown run gave Buffalo a 16-0 lead at the 12:01 mark. Burger scrambled for 57 yards to the Bulls’ 15, then picked up first-down yardage on a third-down run from the 10. But Murdock’s hit dislodged the ball at the 5 and teammate Daishon Folsom recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

Bellenfant produced the only points in the first half with three field goals. He connected from 52 and 43 yards in the first quarter and then started the second quarter with a 20-yarder. Bellenfant added a 45-yarder with 12:28 left in the game.

Murdock finished with 13 tackles and two forced fumbles, while teammate and consensus All-American linebacker Shaun Dolac made nine tackles with a half-sack.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo safety Marcus Fuqua (10) and linebacker Shaun Dolac (52) take down Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) during the first quarter of the game on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.

Buffalo looks to keep rolling vs. Liberty in Bahamas Bowl

Most teams that go to bowl games these days must deal with multiple opt-outs and players hitting the transfer portal, thinning out the depth chart for the year’s last game.

Not so at Buffalo.

“Our team is largely intact going into the bowl game,” first-year coach Pete Lembo said. “Very few guys going into the portal, so that’s great. I think it’s a sign that the guys have bought into what we’re doing.”

So is the Bulls’ 8-4 record, which is why they got the call to take on Liberty (8-3) in Saturday’s Bahamas Bowl in Nassau.

Buffalo went 6-2 in the Mid-American Conference, highlighted by a 23-20 overtime win on Sept. 21 at then-No. 23 Northern Illinois. The Huskies were two weeks removed from their stunning upset at Notre Dame, which won 12 straight games after that, including Thursday’s Sugar Bowl victory over No. 2 Georgia in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

The Bulls rolled through November with four straight high-scoring wins, closing the regular season with a 43-7 rout of winless Kent State. Senior quarterback C.J. Ogbonna, who started his career at Southeast Missouri State, nearly doubled his yards-per-game average over the season’s second half from 125 to 249 — with 14 touchdown passes in that span.

But the marquee names on Buffalo’s roster belong to the defense. Linebackers Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock combined for a whopping 302 tackles, ranking 1-2 in FBS. Dolac collected 159 stops to become the program’s first consensus All-America pick.

While the Bulls will end the year with most of their key faces still on their roster, the Flames must take the field without their star quarterback. Kaidon Salter hit the portal after the regular season to join Colorado, where he might get the chance to replace Shedeur Sanders next year.

After leading Liberty to its first New Year’s Six bowl berth last season, Salter encored by throwing for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 587 yards and seven scores on the ground. He’ll be replaced by Ryan Burger, an Appalachian State transfer who will make his first start since getting the call for the Mountaineers’ season opener in 2023.

Burger will at least have the comfort of the nation’s second-ranked rushing attack at his disposal. While Quinton Cooley (and his 1,254 yards and 13 touchdowns) opted out, Billy Lucas is sticking around. Lucas rushed for 663 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Coach Jamey Chadwell said his team has scrimmaged frequently and done a lot of individual work in the four weeks leading up to the game to keep them sharp.

“I think we’re in a pretty good place as far as guys looking at the opportunity to get better,” Chadwell said. “But everybody’s going to the bowl games with a shell of a team, except our opponent. That’s just the way it is.

“Everybody’s lost players, and that’s not the best look for college football.”

The Flames have won all three prior meetings with Buffalo, including a 55-27 decision last year in Buffalo.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp (9) celebrates after making an interception Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Bills without S Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin vs. Lions

Buffalo Bills safeties Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp, who were questionable for the road game against the Detroit Lions, were on the inactive list Sunday.

Hamlin (back, ribs) and Rapp (neck, shoulder) were limited at practice this week. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee), who hasn’t played since Nov. 10, practiced in full all week and was active for Buffalo (10-3).

Cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) already was ruled out after missing practice. He was joined on the Bills’ inactive list by linebacker Eddie Ulofoshio, defensive end Casey Toohill (ribs), defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson and quarterback Mike White.

The Lions (12-1) already ruled out linebacker Trevor Nowaske (concussion). He is on the inactive list with cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, defensive linemen Myles Adams and Brodric Martin, and offensive linemen Colby Sorsdal, Kayode Awosika and Giovanni Manu.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles away from Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Michael Jerrell (65) in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

QB Brock Purdy active for 49ers against Bills

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, after missing one game because of an ailing right shoulder, will start for the 49ers on Sunday night against the host Buffalo Bills.

Purdy was listed as questionable after being limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant on Friday and on the active list Sunday.

He was injured in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 17 and sat out the 38-10 loss last Sunday at Green Bay as the 49ers fell to 5-6.

“If I’m out there playing, which is the plan, then I’ll be able to make every throw that we have drawn up,” Purdy, 24, said on Friday. “I wouldn’t go out there and play not (at) 100 percent. I want to go out there feeling really good and have the confidence to make every throw, so that’s the plan.”

Purdy is 202-for-306 passing this season for 2,613 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 10 games (all starts).

He won’t have protection from starting left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and left guard Aaron Banks (concussion), who are inactive. Their spots likely will be filled by linemen Ben Bartch and Jaylon Moore.

The 49ers’ other inactives are defensive linemen Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and Jordan Elliott (concussion), cornerback Deommodore Lenior (knee), linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) and quarterback Brandon Allen, who started in place of Purdy last week.

For the Bills (9-2), linebacker Matt Milano, who has been dealing with a biceps injury sustained in the preseason, was a full participant at practice all week and was activated from injured reserve on Saturday. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report.

Buffalo’s inactives are wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist), tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee), cornerback Kaiir Elam, linebacker Eddie Ulofoshio, defensive end Javon Solomon, offensive lineman Will Clapp and quarterback Mike White.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) chases Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) into the end zone Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Bills win fifth straight game over turnover-prone Colts

Josh Allen threw for 280 yards and rushed for a touchdown Sunday as the visiting Buffalo Bills maintained their big AFC East lead with a 30-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Allen completed 22 of 37 passes and threw two interceptions, but Buffalo (8-2) still outgained Indianapolis 415-361. The Bills won their fifth straight game and led the New York Jets by 4 1/2 games in the division before the Jets played the Arizona Cardinals later Sunday afternoon.

Joe Flacco hit on 26 of 35 passes for 272 yards with two touchdowns for the Colts but also tossed three interceptions. Indianapolis (4-6) was guilty of four turnovers and also permitted four sacks.

However, the game was still close entering the fourth quarter. Buffalo put it away with Tyler Bass’ third field goal, a 28-yarder, with 10:58 left, and James Cook’s 2-yard touchdown run with 3:04 remaining.

Flacco tacked on a 10-yard scoring strike to Alec Pierce with two seconds on the clock.

Jonathan Taylor rushed 21 times for 114 yards for the Colts.

Buffalo’s defense started the scoring less than three minutes into the game on Indianapolis’ first snap. Flacco was intercepted by Taron Johnson and he took it 23 yards for a 7-0 lead.

The Bills made it 10-0 with 5:33 left in the first quarter on Bass’ 29-yard field goal but the Colts finally got something going on their next drive. Matt Gay converted a 27-yarder with 3:31 left to cut the deficit to 10-3.

Flacco got Indianapolis into the end zone on its next drive, finishing off a possession of nearly six minutes with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Goodson that tied the game at 10 with 9:22 left in the second quarter. Gay made a 23-yard field goal less than three minutes later, five plays after E.J. Speed intercepted Allen.

However, Buffalo regained the lead for good on its next drive, going 70 yards in eight plays and finishing it on Allen’s 13-yard run with 2:14 remaining. Bass added a 47-yard field goal as time expired for a 20-13 halftime advantage.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Dawuane Smoot (94) tackles Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Bills DE Dawuane Smoot (wrist) to have surgery, go on IR

Buffalo defensive end Dawuane Smoot will have surgery for his wrist injured Sunday in a home win over the Miami Dolphins and will be placed on injured reserve, Bills coach Sean McDermott said Monday.

Smoot, 29, will miss at least four games. McDermott said the team will know more about Smoot’s recovery timeline after surgery and the coach is hopeful he will return this season.

“Sometimes with IR and surgeries, you’re never sure until the doctors get in there and see what exactly the extent of the injury is or was,” McDermott said.

Smoot, in his first season with Buffalo, has started four of seven games and has 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and one forced fumble. He has played 48 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Smoot in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Illinois. He played his first seven seasons in Jacksonville and has 145 career tackles, 25 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, 67 QB hits, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 106 games (21 starts).

–Field Level Media