The Massachusetts football team entered Buffalo in search of its first win streak of the Football Bowl Subdivision era, looking to build off a home win against Miami (Ohio).

UMass left, yet again, with more questions than answers.

In an appropriately dreary, wet day at UB Stadium, the Minutemen fell to the Bulls in a 32-3 drubbing.

“I’m embarrassed to not score a touchdown,” UMass coach Charley Molnar said following the loss. “I’m embarrassed to lose by double digits. I’m embarrassed that we couldn’t make a better accounting of our team today.”

Miscues decimated UMass (1-6, 1-2 Mid-American Conference), who managed to stay in the game despite scoring just three points, trailing at halftime 13-3. But the Minutemen turned the ball over three times, committed seven penalties and saw their best offensive weapon – tight end Rob Blanchflower – ejected in the second quarter for unsportsmanlike conduct after he pushed the head of a Buffalo defender who would not let go of his leg after a play.

UMass faded down the stretch, an issue that’s hampered the team for most of the season, specifically on defense. The Bulls (5-2, 3-0 MAC) scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, the final dagger coming with five minutes, 18 seconds left by standout running back Branden Oliver, who scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. Oliver rushed for school-record 216 yards assuming the role of offensive bell cow while carrying the ball 43 times.

“I think at some point along the way, defensively, those guys just grinded and grinded,” Molnar said. “And I think at the end – at some point – they just realized there was no hope.”

Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata, who threw for 167 yards, threw for his only touchdown of the day in the same quarter. Licata found Fred Lee for a 7-yard score to make it 25-3.

If the Minutemen defense searched for hope in the waning moments of Saturday’s contest, it certainly wouldn’t find it with the offense. UMass accounted for just 247 yards of offense and turned the ball over three times.

Quarterback A.J Doyle struggled to find a rhythm, completing just 14-of-28 passes for 162 yards and one interception. He was sacked three times.

Trailing 16-3 in the third quarter, Doyle led the Minutemen on a nine play drive down to the Buffalo 22-yard line, but fumbled the ball away.

The Bulls started slowly as well, but received a boost from All-American linebacker Khalil Mack in the second quarter. Mack intercepted a Doyle pass over the middle and returned it 35 yards for the only touchdown in the first half.

“Originally, I saw Mack dropping with Blanch. I thought I’d have a guy hooking up over the middle of the field, and I didn’t see him drop off,” quarterback A.J. Doyle said. “He just dropped underneath it, picked it and made an athletic play to get into the end zone.”

Mack’s presence was felt throughout the day, as he made three tackles and registered a sack in addition to his interception return.

UMass’ lone points came from the foot of kicker Blake Lucas, who hit a career-long 42-yard field goal with just seven seconds remaining in the first half.

Tajae Sharpe led the Minutemen with 94 yards receiving on seven catches, including one for a 23-yard gain. Jamal Wilson, who entered the game coming off two straight performances with over 100 total yards, had just 51.

UMass returns home Saturday to host Western Michigan at 3 p.m.

Mark Chiarelli can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @Mark_Chiarelli.