Toledo
Bulls Travel to Toledo as Midweek #MACtion Begins
10/26/2023 1:20:00 PM | Football
Buffalo (3-5, 3-1 MAC) at Toledo (7-1, 4-0 MAC)
October 31, 2023
Glass Bowl - 7:30 pm
Bulls on the Air
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Television
ESPN2
Storylines
• Since joining the MAC in 1999, the all-time series with Toledo is tied 4-4, with the Bulls winning the last three meetings.
• Since joining the MAC, this will be just the fifth time the Bulls will be playing Toledo at the Glass Bowl and the first time since 2018.
• The Bulls have forced 12 turnovers over the last five games, including forcing 3+ turnovers in three of the last five games.
• UB's defense is allowing 11.5 points and an average of 268 yards of total offense through four MAC games this season.
• Buffalo has allowed only six second-half points in MAC play this season. Shutting out, three of their four opponents in the second half.
• Buffalo has four multi-interception games this season, including two of the last three games. The last time the Bulls picked off 2+ passes in four different games was 2015.
• 13 different players have scored touchdowns for the Bulls this season.
• Ron Cook (1,667) is 33 yards shy of becoming the Bulls career leader in kick return yardage. Devin Campbell (2012-15) currently holds the record with 1,699 yards.
• Cole Snyder (4,562) is 194 yards shy of passing Kyle Vantrease (2017-21) for eighth place in career passing yards at UB.
• This is the first time as an FBS progam the Bulls will play a game on Halloween. UB last played on Oct. 31 against Western Illinois in 1998 - its last season as an FCS program.
Bulls Travel to Toledo as Midweek #MACtion Begins
The University at Buffalo football team will play at Toledo on Tuesday night in the first of four straight midweek #MACtion games to end the season.
Buffalo is 3-5 overall, 3-1 in the MAC and is coming off a 24-6 win at Kent State on Oct. 21. The Bulls were led by quarterback Cole Snyder who threw for 195 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Toledo is 7-1 overall, 4-0 in the MAC and is coming off a 21-17 win at Miami (OH) on Oct. 21. The Rockets are led by running back Peny Boone who has rushed for 865 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.
Toledo leads the all-time series, 7-5. Buffalo won the last meeting, 34-27, at UB Stadium last season.
Second Half Adjustments
Not only has Buffalo's defense been much improved since MAC play has started, but it has been especially stout in the second half of those games. Through four conference games, the Bulls have only allowed six points and have shut out three of their first four MAC opponents in the second half. A Central Michigan touchdown is the only second-half points the Bulls have allowed in MAC play this season.
Line Change
A recent adjustment made to the offensive line has helped UB's offense, especially the running game.
Beginning with the Central Michigan game, left tackle Isaiah Wright was moved to center, left guard Gabe Wallace kicked out to left tackle and Trevor Brock was inserted at left guard.
In the three games with the new offensive line, the Bulls have improved their yard-per-carry average from 3.5 yards per game to 4.0 yards per game and have scored five rushing touchdowns.
Devin Almighty
Not too many players in the MAC have had a better start to conference play than Devin Grant. In the first four MAC games, the Bulls safety had 39 tackles, three interceptions and a blocked kick.
He tied an FBS-era school record with three interceptions and became the first player in program history to return two picks for touchdowns against Central Michigan.
Against Akron in the MAC-opener, Grant had a career-high 10 tackles and blocked a potential game-tying field goal in overtime to secure the win for the Bulls.
Grant was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against CMU. It marked the second straight year a UB player won the award. Fellow safety Marcus Fuqua earned the distinction last year.
Improving Defense
After struggling on the defensive side of the ball in nonconference play, the Bulls seemed to have righted the ship through four conference games.
In four nonconference games, Buffalo allowed 44.5 points per game while give up 512 yards per game. However, through four conference games, the Bulls only allowed 11.5 points per game while allowing 268 yards per game.
The Kids Are Alright
The defensive turnaround could be attributed to young players being inserted into the lineup.
Sophomore safety Devin Grant has 54 tackles, four interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Redshirt-freshman linebacker Red Murdock has 27 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles on the season.
True freshman cornerback Charles McCartherens has 24 tackles, three interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
True freshman linebacker Dion Crawford has started two of the last four games and has 14 tackles and a tackle for loss in those four contests.
You Get a TD, You Get a TD...
13 different players have scored touchdowns for the Bulls this season. Ron Cook leads the way with six touchdowns followed by Marlyn Johnson (4), Darrell Harding (2), Cole Harrity (2), Mike Washington (2), Devin Grant (2), Jacqez Barksdale (1), Bobbie Curry (1), Nik McMillan (1), CJ Ogbonna (1) and Cole Snyder (1), Andrew Schnackenberg (1) and Al-Jay Henderson (1).
Special Teams Honors
In recent weeks a member of UB's special teams has been honored by the Mid-American Conference.
Following UBs' win over Central Michigan, Alex McNulty was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week. He made three field goals and all four extra points against the Chippewas.
Punter Anthony Venneri was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week following the Bulls win over Akron. He averaged 49.8 yards on six punts with four of his six punts traveling at least 50 yards, including a game-long 63-yarder. Three of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
Working Overtime
Buffalo's 13-10 overtime win over Akron was its first OT win since beating Army in overtime in 2016. It was the Bulls' first road overtime win since defeating Bowling Green in two overtimes at Doyt Perry Stadium in 2008. Before their win at Akron, the Bulls were just 2-5 in overtime games dating back to 2009.
PickCartherens
Freshman cornerback Charles McCartherens had the best game of his young career at Louisiana. He had two interceptions in the game, making him the first true freshman in the program's 25-year history as an FBS program to have multiple interceptions in a game. Mike Newton (2 vs. Kent State in 2006) and John Syty (2 vs. UTEP in 2008) had two picks as redshirt-freshmen.
McCartherens has started the last six games and has totaled 24 tackles, three interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble since being inserted into the starting lineup.
Sterling Marlyn
Wide receiver Marlyn Johnson is having breakout season for the Bulls. Through six games, he has 29 receptions for 298 yards and four touchdowns. Over his first four seasons combined, he totaled 23 catches for 234 yards and one touchdown.
He had the best game of his UB career against Fordham, finishing with seven receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns - all career highs.
Johnson has had a touchdown catch in three different games this season.
Cole Powered
In his second season as the Bulls' starter, quarterback Cole Snyder is off to a tremendous start. The graduate signal-caller ranks third in the MAC in passing yards per game (191.5) and is third in touchdown passes (12).
Snyder became the first quarterback in program history to complete 24 or more passes in each of the first three games of the season. In addition, he became the first UB quarterback since Tyree Jackson in 2018 to throw multiple touchdown passes in each of the first three games of the season.
He had a career-best four touchdown passes against Fordham.
With 4,562 career passing yards, Snyder is just the 10th quarterback in program history to throw for 4,000 yards.
Spreading the Wealth
A number of different receivers have recorder receptions this season - 15 to be exact. An average of nearly 10 different receivers per game have made a catch this year.
A program-record 12 different Bulls caught passes in the opener at Wisconsin. 10 different players registered a catch against Liberty.
12 players have at least four receptions on the season, led by Cole Harrity (29), Marlyn Johnson (29) and Ron Cook (20).
Agent Zero
Cole Harrity has become a favorite target of quarterback Cole Snyder. Over the first six games, he has a team-best 29 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He made the most of his first career start at Wisconsin. The UB grad had five catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns against the Badgers.
In his second year with the program, the New Mexico State transfer appeared in all 13 games last season and finished with 13 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown.
Max Michel Earns 1-MAC Award
University at Buffalo defensive end Max Michel earned The Mid-American Conference (MAC) 1-MAC Award - given annually to the student-athlete who has a tremendous impact and excellence in inclusion efforts.
A native of New Jersey, Michel quickly embraced the Queen City. Last December, he held his second annual coat drive. Through his efforts, he was able to collect numerous coats, jackets, gloves and hats and donate them to the Buffalo City Mission.
He also donates his time volunteering at the Buffalo City Mission's kitchen, helping prepare and serve food, emptying the garbage and whatever else he can do to help.
In addition, Michel volunteers his time with Harrison's Playmakers, a non-profit organization that promotes social inclusion and kindness with year-round sports programs and activities for kids with developmental differences and special needs.
Among his numerous other volunteer ventures, Michel organized a group of teammates to work with WNY Peacemakers to distribute free groceries in East Buffalo.
In addition, Michel is on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy.
Linebacker U
UB has had a number of standout linebackers in recent years, most notably Khalil Mack who was an All-American and now an NFL All-Pro.
The Bulls have at least one linebacker named All-MAC each of the last 12 seasons. Shaun Dolac was named to the first team in 2022.
Rounding out the list are James Patterson (2022, 2021, 2020), Kadofi Wright (2019), Khalil Hodge (2018, 2017, 2016), Brandon Berry (2015), Okezie Alozie (2015), Lee Skinner (2014), Adam Redden (2014) and Khalil Mack (2013, 2012, 2011).
McNulty Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Graduate kicker Alex McNulty is a nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Given annually to college football's top student-athlete, the Campbell Trophy is also known as the Academic Heisman.
McNulty graduated with degrees in biology for pre-veterinary science and physics. He carries a 3.7 grade point average and is a four-time Academic All-MAC selection.
McNulty is a two-time All-MAC selection and was the 2022 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year. He is the program record holder in career field goals (57), extra points (186) and points scored (357).
He has made six 50+ yard field goals over his career and is the first kicker in program history to make 100 consecutive extra points.
Bulls Picked Third in MAC East
Buffalo was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference East Division according to the MAC head coaches.
Ohio was picked first with 63 points, followed by Miami (OH) (52), Buffalo (51), Bowling Green (35), Akron (26) and Kent State (19).
Toledo was picked to win the West Division, followed by Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Ball State and Western Michigan.
Toledo was selected as the preseason favorite to win the MAC Championship.
On The Airwaves
Again this season, University at Buffalo football can be heard locally on ESPN 1520, a 50,000-watt station with one of the strongest signals in the nation. The Bulls can also be heard on 1280 AM in Rochester.
Calling all the play-by-play action of Bulls football for his 24th year, and 16th consecutive, will be Paul Peck. Scott Wilson is back for his seventh season as analyst. Brad Riter also returns as game host.
The UB Football postgame show will once again take place at The Anchor Bar on Maple Road with host Bob Gaughan.
