Oliver and Mack Honored by the Mid-American Conference
10/28/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo running back Branden Oliver and linebacker Khalil Mack were named the Mid-American Conference East Division Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, after standout performances in the Bulls' 41-21 win at Kent State on Saturday.
Oliver rushed for 185 yards on 31 carries and a career-best four touchdowns against the Golden Flashes. He became just the fourth running back in school history with four or more rushing touchdowns in a game and the first in UB's Division I-A era (since 1999). With the Bulls trailing 7-6 in the second quarter, Oliver scored UB's next four touchdowns to give Buffalo a 34-7 advantage. He had touchdown runs of five, 17, 38 and four yards. Oliver added two receptions for 14 yards to total 199 yards of total offense.
Mack tied for the game high with 10 tackles (eight solo) and added a sack and an interception against Kent State. He made his biggest defensive play late in the half that changed the complexion of the game. With the Bulls leading 13-7, and Kent State in the Buffalo redzone, Mack made a one-handed interception at the 10-yard line and returned it to the Kent State 45-yard line. Four plays later, Buffalo scored a touchdown with just nine seconds left in the half to take a 20-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. Mack's sack in the third quarter was the 25 of his career, giving him the all-time school record.
It is the second time both Oliver and Mack have been named MAC Players of the Week this season and it is the fifth straight week a UB player has been honored by the conference.
The Bulls are 6-2 overall and sit atop the MAC East Division standings with a 4-0 mark. UB will next host Ohio on Nov. 5 in a primetime matchup on ESPN2.
Buffalo's 2013 MAC Players of the Week
| Sept. 2 | Khalil Mack | Defensive |
| Sept. 30 | Adam Redden | Defensive |
| Sept. 30 | Patrick Clarke | Special Teams |
| Oct. 7 | Branden Oliver | Offensive |
| Oct. 14 | Colby Way | Defensive |
| Oct. 21 | Adam Redden |
Defensive |
| Oct. 28 | Branden Oliver |
Offensive |
| Oct. 28 | Khalil Mack |
Defensive |
