NASSAU, Bahamas - Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson put an exclamation point on his breakout sophomore season, and the fourth time was the charm for the Bulls getting the program's first bowl win.
It came at the expense of Charlotte coach Will Healy and his 49ers, first-time bowlers.
Patterson ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns, and Kyle Vantrease passed for a touchdown and ran for another to lead Buffalo to a 31-9 win Friday in the Bahamas Bowl. The Bulls lost in the International Bowl in January 2009, the Potato Bowl in December 2013 and the Dollar General Bowl last December - all by double digits - before finally breaking through.
"I'm just really proud of this group guys and how hard they worked. We overcame a lot," said Buffalo coach Lance Leipold, whose team finished 8-5 by winning the first of 40 games on the 2019-20 bowl schedule.
Patterson, who had 32 carries against the 49ers (7-6), finished the year with a slew of school single-season records, including 330 carries, 1,799 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.
Antonio Nunn caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Vantrease on the first Buffalo drive to open the scoring, and Vantrease capped a marathon touchdown drive - it took 15 plays, 74 yards and 8:26 of game clock - by plunging in from the 1 with 3:33 left in the half to extend the Bulls' lead.
Patterson's 6-yard run midway through the third quarter capped the touchdown drive that made 24-0, then sealed the win with a 10-yard rush with 1:43 in the fourth to cap a 16-play drive.
"He wore us down," said Healy, the Chattanooga native who made tremendous progress this year at Charlotte, which was 12-36 as a Football Bowl Subdivision program entering this season.
The 49ers, who had won five straight games, avoided the shutout with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Chris Reynolds to Victor Tucker late in the third quarter. Jonathan Cruz added a 32-year field goal in the fourth.
Reynolds finished 15-of-24 passes for 198 yards with an interception.
During their days in the Bahamas, the teams took part in a youth clinic, dance contests, a pinball tournament and some beach and pool time. Temperatures Friday were in the mid-70s in the Bahamas, the mid-50s in Charlotte and the mid-20s in Buffalo.
"To be able to get down here in the sun is really nice for us," Bulls defensive end Taylor Riggins said.