Central Michigan
Bulls Back Home to Host Central Michigan on Saturday
10/3/2023 1:14:00 PM | Football
Buffalo (1-4, 1-0 MAC) vs. Central Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC)
October 7, 2023
UB Stadium - 2:00 pm
Bulls on the Air
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Television
ESPN+
Storylines
• After dropping six of the first seven meetings with Central Michigan, Buffalo has won two of the last three meetings against the Chippewas.
• The Bulls are looking to start 2-0 in MAC play for the fifth time in program history. UB also started 2-0 in 2013, 2018, 2020 and 2022.
• Cole Snyder and Toledo's DeQuan Finn are the only two quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference to have a touchdown pass in all five games this season.
• The Bulls are coming off their first overtime win since defeating Army in overtime in 2016.
• Nine different players have scored touchdowns for the Bulls this season.
• Cole Snyder (4,105) is 151 passing yards shy of surpassing Frank Reilly (1988-90) for ninth in program history in career passing yards.
• Ron Cook (1,534) is 86 yards shy of catching Terrell Jackson (1,620) for second place in program history in career kick return yardage.
• 12 of Buffalo's 17 touchdowns on the season have come on scoring drives of at least 65 yards.
• Under Head Coach Maurice Linguist, the Bulls are 6-3 in the month of October.
Bulls Back Home to Host Central Michigan on Saturday
The University at Buffalo football team will host Central Michigan on Saturday in search of their second straight win.
Buffalo is 1-4 overall, 1-0 in the MAC and is coming off a 13-10 overtime win at Akron last Saturday. Devin Grant blocked a potential game-tying field goal in overtime to clinch the win for the Bulls.
Central Michigan is 3-2 overall, 1-0 in the MAC and is coming off a 26-23 win over Eastern Michigan last Saturday. The Chippewas are led by wide receiver Jesse Prewitt III who has 16 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Central Michigan leads the all-time series, 8-3. The Chippewas won the last meeting, 31-27, in Mount Pleasant last season.
You Get a TD, You Get a TD...
Nine different players have scored touchdowns for the Bulls this season. Marlyn Johnson leads the way with four touchdowns followed by Ron Cook (3), Darrell Harding (2), Cole Harrity (2), Mike Washington (2), Jacqez Barksdale (1), Bobbie Curry (1), Nik McMillan (1) and CJ Ogbonna (1).
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.
Devin Almighty
Devin Grant is having a breakout season for the Bulls. The sophomore safety ranks third on the team with 30 tackles and has added an interception, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
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.
Venneri Named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week
Punter Anthony Venneri was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Special Teams Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday.
Venneri averaged 49.8 yards on six punts against Akron on Saturday. Four of his six punts were at least 50 yards, including a game-long 63-yarder. Three of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. He was routinely flipping the field in the Bulls' victory. In addition, in the fourth quarter, he laid a vicious hit on the Akron punt returner.
A sophomore, Venneri ranks third in the MAC in punting, averaging 45.8 yards per punt. He has nine punts of 50 yards or longer and nine of his punts have been downed inside the 20-yard line.
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 three games and has totaled 16 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups since being inserted into the starting lineup.
Sterling Marlyn
Wide receiver Marlyn Johnson is having breakout season for the Bulls. Through five games, he has 19 receptions for 208 yards and four touchdowns. Over his first four seasons combined, he totaled 23 catches for 234 yards and a 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 of the five games of the season.
Take the Long Way Home
The Bulls have utilized long scoring drives to get into the endzone this season. Of the Bulls' 17 touchdown drives on the year, 12 have been 65 yards or longer. Their average touchdown drive has been 66 yards. Buffalo has scored seven touchdowns on drives of 75 yards or longer.
Cole Powered
In his second season as the Bulls' starter, quarterback Cole Snyder is off to a tremendous start. The graduate signal-caller leads the MAC in passing yards per game (215.0) and touchdown passes (11).
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 4,105 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 over the first three games of the season - 12 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.
10 players have at least four receptions on the season, led by Cole Harrity (21), Marlyn Johnson (19) and Boobie Curry (13).
Agent Zero
Cole Harrity is becoming a favorite target of quarterback Cole Snyder. Over the first five games, he has a team-best 21 catches for 144 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.
Hinesight
A season ago, Clevester Hines was playing wide receiver. In fact, he remained at that position until a week before the Bulls played George Southern in the Camellia Bowl and Coach Linguist asked him to move to cornerback due to injuries at the position.
Hines started in the Camellia Bowl and, in his first game at the position, totaled seven tackles and three pass breakups. He has remained at cornerback for 2023 and started the first two games of the season. He has 15 tackles and two tackles for loss on the year
Doling Out the Hits
Linebacker Shaun Dolac had a record-breaking season for the Bulls last year. A 2022 first-team All-MAC selection, the UB senior ranked second in the nation in tackles with 147 which were the third-most in program history for a single season. Even more impressive was that he led the nation in solo tackles with 97 - 17 more than any UB player in program history.
A local product, Dolac came to UB as a walk-on in 2019. Last season, he was named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the best player in the country who started their career as a walk-on.
Perfect 10
Graduate safety Marcus Fuqua tied for the national lead with seven interceptions in 2022. It was the most by a UB player in the program's FBS era (since 1999).
Along with being an All-MAC First Team selection, Fuqua was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. He joined Khalil Mack (2013) and Jaret Patterson (2020) as just the third UB player ever named an AP All-American.
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 (53), extra points (177) and points scored (336).
He has made five 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.
