Senior running back William Murray recorded two touchdowns and the Saints fended off a second-half comeback attempt from the Bengals, as the St. Lawrence University football team claimed a 24-19 win over Buffalo State in conference play on Saturday.

Will Lederman passed 17-for-25 for 258 yards and ran in one touchdown, netting 84 yards on the ground, while Murray recorded two touchdowns for 19 yards and Cole Phelan caught four passes for 113 yards. Savino Morelli led the defense with nine tackles, while Ryan Surhoff recorded eight. Brennan Twombly and John Finnegan each logged interceptions, while Joseph Pickett recorded a forced fumble.

The Saints scored on their opening drive, as Lederman rushed for seven yards to cap a 73-yard drive and Clayton Fogler's kick was good for the 7-0 lead at 12:38 of the first quarter.

It looked as though Buffalo State would score on their opening drive, but the Saints' defense shut down the Bengal's offense on a fourth-down opportunity in the red zone.

St. Lawrence doubled up on the Bengals, as Jack Finnegan ran back a 34-yard interception to start a new drive for the Saints. Murray capped the drive with a five-yard run to make it 14-0.

With Buffalo State to receive to start the second half, SLU was able to shut them down on their opening drive for the second time, keeping the Bengals off the scoreboard to start the second half of play.

Fogler converted on a 43-yard field goal to increase the Saints lead to 17-0. The 43-yarder was his second longest kick of the season.

With just about four minutes to play in the third, the Saints blocked the Bengals punt and recovered at the two-yard line for a great field opportunity. Murray capitalized with his second touchdown run of the day to make it 24-0.

On the next Bengals drive, Jeadi Higdon picked up the ball at the 20 and ran it back 80 yards for Buffalo State's first score of the game, making it 24-6, as the extra point was no good.

The Bengals attempted a second-half comeback, as Higdon connected with Otho Cox for a 64-yard touchdown pass. Buffalo State went for the two-point conversion, but were unsuccessful, making the score 24-12 with 10 minutes to play in the fourth.

Brennan Twombley ended the next Bengal's drive with SLU's second interception, but a fumble on first play gave the ball back to the Bengals at the one-yard line. Buffalo State capitalized and scored 19 unanswered, to bring the game within five points with 4:08 remaining.

Lederman and Murray converted on a third-and-long to bring the game to the final two-minute warning and St. Lawrence held onto the ball to stop the Bengals comeback efforts.  

Amir Cameron passed for 82 yards, while Higdon led the ground game with 83 yards and Cox caught five passes for 106 yards. Sincere Green led the defense with 11 tackles, while Brody Stevens and Evan Gallagher each recorded 10.

St. Lawrence finished with a 21-13 advantage in first downs, recorded 365 yards on offense to Buffalo State's 291. SLU also converted on 7-of-12 third-downs and 2-of-3 fourth-down opportunities. Fogler finished 3-for-3 on extra points.

SLU improved to 3-6 overall and 204 in Liberty League play, while Buffalo State fell to 1-8 and 1-5.

The Saints will close out the season next weekend, as they host the University of Rochester Yellowjackets on November 15 for senior day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.