There are already a lot of Buford fans at my workplace, so it should not be a problem to get some time to swing by my home to give him a break.
I was supposed to get a crate delivered today and now that has been delayed, so I am working on alternatives. I want him to get used to the crate before I just leave him in it for that extended period of time....
It sounds like for the longer term, he will be as fine as other breeds with being home alone for a typical work day. That is encouraging.
The only caution on there is you have to make 110% sure the room is puppy proofed and they won't find any bars of soap, razor blades, cleaning products, plugged in power cords, etc. that they might want to chew. Once you get the crate, just let him wander in and out of it, and make it his own rather than just boxing him up first time you leave the house. Crates can very good as most dogs are really adverse to soiling their own nest and tend to do so only when they just can't hold it any longer, and it teaches them some restraint in checking their bowels and bladder.
I'm very fortunate that I can generally get home and let my dog out at lunch every day, but on the occasional day I have to work through lunch or don't get home 'til late, my guy is usually pretty good about holding it.