The game was played between the Charlotte 49ers from Conference USA (C–USA) and the Buffalo Bulls from the Mid-American Conference (MAC).[ 10] This was the first time the Bulls and 49ers played against each other.[ 11]
Buffalo entered the bowl with a 7–5 record (5–3 in conference). The Bulls finished their regular season in a three-way tie for second place in the East Division of the MAC. This was Buffalo's fourth appearance in a bowl game; they were 0–3 in prior bowls, most recently appearing in the 2018 Dollar General Bowl .[ 10]
Charlotte entered the bowl with a 7–5 record (5–3 in conference). The 49ers finished their regular season in fourth place in the East Division of C–USA. This was Charlotte's first postseason game in school history.[ 12]
Game information
First Quarter
(9:12) BUFF – Kyle Vantrease 12 yard pass to Antonio Nunn, Alex McNulty kick (Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:11; Buffalo 7–0 )
Second Quarter
(3:33) BUFF – Kyle Vantrease 1 yard rush, Alex McNulty kick (Drive: 15 plays, 74 yards, 8:26; Buffalo 14–0 )
(1:25) BUFF – Alex McNulty 31 yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, –2 yards, 1:55; Buffalo 17–0 )
Third Quarter
(5:22) BUFF – Jaret Patterson 6 yard rush, Alex McNulty kick (Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:45; Buffalo 24–0 )
(2:20) CHAR – Chris Reynolds 51 yard pass to Victor Tucker, 2-point pass failed (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:02; Buffalo 24–6 )
Fourth Quarter
(10:50) CHAR – Jonathan Cruz 32 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 5:26; Buffalo 24–9 )
(1:43) BUFF – Jaret Patterson 10 yard rush, Alex McNulty kick (Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 9:07; Buffalo 31–9 )
Statistics
BUFF
CHAR
First downs
19
15
Plays–yards
63–282
55–278
Rushes–yards
46–205
31–80
Passing yards
77
198
Passing: comp –att –int
8–17–1
15–24–1
Time of possession
33:12
26:48
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Buffalo
Passing
Kyle Vantrease
8/17, 77 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Jaret Patterson
32 carries, 173 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Antonio Nunn
5 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
Charlotte
Passing
Chris Reynolds
15/24, 198 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Benny Lemay
13 carries, 45 yards
Receiving
Tyler Ringwood
5 receptions, 64 yards
^ @TheBahamasBowl (December 20, 2019). "Jaret Patterson hoists the offensive MVP trophy after his record-setting performance" (Tweet ). Retrieved December 20, 2019 – via Twitter .
^ @TheBahamasBowl (December 20, 2019). "Malcolm Koonce was named the Defensive MVP" (Tweet ). Retrieved December 20, 2019 – via Twitter .
^ "Buffalo vs. Charlotte - Game Summary - December 20, 2019 - ESPN" . ESPN.com . Retrieved December 20, 2019 .
^ "2019-20 bowl officiating assignments" . footballzebras.com . December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019 .
^ @EmptySeatsPics (December 20, 2019). "Announced crowd of 13,547 for the 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl" (Tweet ). Retrieved December 20, 2019 – via Twitter .
^ "2019 Bowl Schedule" . collegefootballpoll.com . Retrieved December 13, 2019 .
^ "2019-20 college football bowl schedule, games, dates, times, TV channels" . CBSSports.com . Retrieved June 7, 2019 .
^ Lenzi, Rachel (December 20, 2019). "UB football tops Charlotte in Bahamas for first bowl win in program history" . The Buffalo News . Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019 .
^ Scott, David (December 20, 2019). "Charlotte 49ers can't stop Buffalo Bulls running game in 31-9 loss in Bahamas Bowl" . The Charlotte Observer . Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019 .
^ a b Bailey, Hunter (December 1, 2019). "Charlotte will play Buffalo in the 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl" . Underdog Dynasty . Retrieved December 1, 2019 .
^ "Buffalo Bulls vs. Charlotte 49ers football series history" . winsipedia.com . Retrieved December 2, 2019 .
^ Scott, David (December 1, 2019). "The Charlotte 49ers are headed to The Bahamas for the first bowl in school history" . The Charlotte Observer . Retrieved December 2, 2019 .