BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Freshman Marquis Young rushed for 240 yards and three first-half touchdowns and UMass held on to defeat Buffalo 31-26 on Friday night.

Young, who had 215 yards at halftime, had runs of 6 and 47 yards for an early 14-0 lead and a 1-yard plunge that made it 21-17. Quarterback Blake Frohnapfel added a 14-yard TD run that helped the Minutemen (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American) build a 28-17 halftime lead.

Jordan Johnson scored on a 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter to pull Buffalo (5-7, 3-5) within 28-26 but a pass by wide receiver Marcus McGill for the 2-point conversion was incomplete.

Buffalo punted on its next two possessions before UMass chewed up 4:39 leading to Logan Laurent's 37-yard field goal with 2:13 left. Then Da'Sean Downey picked off Joe Licata to preserve the win.

Tajae Sharpe had six receptions for 138 yards for Buffalo, his 10th career 100-yard game.