Bulls Return to MAC Action, Host Ohio on Saturday
10/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY - After sandwiching in two non-conference games against BCS opponents, the Buffalo Bulls will return to Mid-American Conference play, hosting Ohio University Saturday at 3:30 pm. Buffalo is looking to recover after a 41-10 loss at Tennessee, a game in which head coach Jeff Quinn said his team took away a lot of positives from a tough SEC road test at Neyland Stadium.
"It's unacceptable to lose," Quinn said. "We've talked a lot about overcoming adversity and persevering and when you play against a good team like Tennessee you have to keep things in perspective."
The Bulls showed life after quarterback Chazz Anderson rushed 68-yards into the endzone to close the score to 14-7, the longest run by a quarterback in the program's Division IA history. Buffalo then recovered the ensuing kick-off, but was unable to convert due to a partially blocked 44-yard field goal attempt by Peter Fardon. The kick-off was one of two fumbles recovered by Buffalo's special teams unit on the day, which also added a blocked punt.
"We've got to be more opportunistic and understanding those moments in a game," Quinn said. "You certainly need to understand why we play these games. We're not looking backwards, we're looking forward."
MAC East opponent Ohio is looking to move to 5-1 on the season for the first time since 1997. The Bobcat offense is led by quarterback Tyler Tettleton, who is just 137 yards shy of already breaking the school record for passing yards by a sophomore just five games into the season.
Senior defensive back Josh Copeland said Buffalo's defense is excited about the challenge of facing the pass-attack from Ohio and Tettleton.
"Anytime you play a team that passes a lot you do get excited, because that's what we do, we like to cover," Copeland said. "Just be calm, be patient and do your job."
Saturday will be the 19th meeting between Buffalo and Ohio, with the Bobcats holding an 11-7 series lead which dates back to 1912. Last season, the Bulls fell behind 21-0 before it's first score, dooming them to a 34-17 loss in Athens. Alex Zordich passed for a touchdown and ran for another to lead UB's scoring.
Tickets for Saturday's game are still on sale. For ticket information, click here. Fans can catch the game on 1230 WECK Buffalo or 1280/107.3 WHTK Rochester. The game will also be shown on Time Warner Cable SportsNet and streamed online at www.buffalobulls.com.
