Miami (OH)
Bulls Close out Road Slate at Miami (OH) on Wednesday Night
11/10/2023 3:56:00 PM | Football
Buffalo (3-7, 3-3 MAC) at Miami (OH) (8-2, 5-1 MAC)
November 15, 2023
Yager Stadium - 7:00 pm
Bulls on the Air
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Television
ESPN2
Storylines
• Buffalo is looking to win its third MAC road game of the season for the just the fourth time since joining the conference in 1999. The Bulls also won three MAC road games in 2018, 2013 and 2008.
• The Bulls are in search of their first win at Miami since 2015 when they defeated the RedHawks, 29-24.
• UB's defense is allowing 15 points and an average of 277 yards of total offense in MAC games this season.
• 13 different players have scored touchdowns for the Bulls this season.
• Ron Cook (1,670) is 30 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 (4,884) is 64 yards shy of passing Chad Salisbury (1997-98) for seventh place in career passing yards at UB. He is 116 yards shy of becoming just the seventh quarterback in program history to throw for 5,000 yards.
• With four forced fumbles on the season, not only does Max Michel lead the Mid-American Conference, he is two shy of the single-season program record of six set by Anthony Scott in 1996.
• In MAC games, UB opponents are a combined 20-of-76 (.263) on third down.
• The Bulls have had only five flags thrown against them over the last two games (3 against Ohio and 2 against Toledo).
Bulls Close out Road Slate at Miami (OH) on Wednesday Night
The University at Buffalo football team will play their final road game of the season at Miami (OH) on Wednesday night.
Buffalo is 3-7 overall, 3-3 in the MAC and is coming off a 20-10 loss to Ohio last Tuesday. The Bulls were led by quarterback Cole Snyder who threw for 171 yards in the game.
Miami (OH) is 8-2 overall, 5-1 in the MAC and is coming off a 19-0 win over Akron on Wednesday. The RedHawks are led by running back Rashad Amos who has rushed for 702 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.
Miami (OH) leads the all-time series, 16-9. The Bulls won the last meeting, 24-20, at UB Stadium last season.
Forcing the Issue
The Bulls have been very good about ripping the ball way from their opponents this season. Buffalo has forced 11 fumbles over the last seven games, led by Max Michel who has four and Red Murdock who has three. Michel and Murdock rank one and two in the MAC in forced fumbles.
Michel is two forced fumbles shy of UB's single-season record of six set by Anthony Scott in 1996. With eight career forced fumbles, Michel ranks third in program history in career forced fumbles behind James Patterson (9) and the NCAA's career leader in forced fumbles Khalil Mack (16).
Devin Almighty
Safety Devin Grant has been posting eye-popping numbers in MAC play this season. In MAC games, the Bulls safety had 44 tackles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a blocked kick and a blocked punt.
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.
At conference-leading Toledo, Grant had five tackles, an interception, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt.
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 six conference games, the Bulls only allowed 15 points per game while allowing 277 yards per game.
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 five 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 seven rushing touchdowns.
The Kids Are Alright
The defensive turnaround could be attributed to young players being inserted into the lineup.
Sophomore safety Devin Grant has 60 tackles, five interceptions, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Redshirt-freshman linebacker Red Murdock has 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks and three forced fumbles on the season.
True freshman cornerback Charles McCartherens has 27 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble.
True freshman linebacker Dion Crawford has made two starts and has 25 tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
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), Cole Harrity (3), Darrell Harding (2), Mike Washington (2), Devin Grant (2), Jacqez Barksdale (2), CJ Ogbonna (2), Bobbie Curry (1), Nik McMillan (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 eight games and has totaled 27 tackles, three interceptions, four 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. He has 35 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns on the season. 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 fourth in the MAC in passing yards per game (185.0) and is third in touchdown passes (13).
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 4,884 career passing yards, Snyder is just the 10th quarterback in program history to throw for 4,000 yards.
Agent Zero
Cole Harrity has become a favorite target of quarterback Cole Snyder. He ranks second on the team in receiving with 33 catches for 276 yards and three 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 (58), extra points (188) 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.
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.
