DETROIT (AP) Buffalo star Jaret Patterson left the Mid-American Conference championship game in the third quarter with what appeared to be a right leg issue, then returned early in the fourth.

Patterson was able to leave the field under his own power after his third-quarter injury, and he came back with 14:02 left in the game, wearing what appeared to be a brace on his right knee. The 23rd-ranked Bulls trailed Ball State 38-28 when Patterson returned.

Patterson was held to just 45 yards on 17 carries through three quarters.

It has been a dazzling season for Patterson, who rushed for 1,025 yards and 18 touchdowns in Buffalo's first five games. He opened the scoring with a TD run Friday night as well, but Ball State has kept him mostly contained.

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