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Bulls Host Eastern Michigan in Season Finale on Tuesday Night
11/18/2023 9:37:00 AM | Football
Buffalo (3-8, 3-4 MAC) vs. Eastern Michigan (5-6, 3-4 MAC)
November 24, 2023
UB Stadium - 7:30 pm
Bulls on the Air
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Television
ESPN2
Storylines
• The Bulls have won four of the last five meetings with Eastern Michigan.
• Since Buffalo joined the MAC in 1999, this will be only the fifth time Eastern Michigan will play at UB Stadium. The Bulls won in 2018 and 2013, with the Eagles winning in 2010 and 2005.
• The Bulls are looking to finish .500 or better in the MAC for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
• In conference only games, Buffalo ranks second in the MAC in total defense, allowing 284.1 yards per game.
• 13 different players have scored touchdowns for the Bulls this season.
• Ron Cook (1,681) is 19 yards shy of becoming the Bulls career leader in kick return yardage. Devin Campbell (2012-15) currently holds the record with 1,699 yards.
• Buffalo has won the time of possession in nine straight games, controlling the ball nearly five minutes more than its opponents over that stretch.
• 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 23-of-88 (.261) on third down.
• The Bulls have had only seven flags thrown against them over the last three games (3 against Ohio, 2 against Toledo and 2 against Miami).
Bulls Host Eastern Michigan in Season Finale on Tuesday Night
The University at Buffalo football team will close out the season against Eastern Michigan at UB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Buffalo is 3-8 overall, 3-4 in the MAC and is coming off a 23-10 loss at Miami (OH) last Wednesday. The Bulls were led by quarterback CJ Ogbonna who rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Eastern Michigan is 5-6 overall, 3-4 in the MAC and is coming off a 30-27 overtime win over Akron last Tuesday. The Eagles are led by running back Samson Evans who has rushed for 508 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.
Eastern Michigan leads the all-time series, 6-4. The Bulls won the last meeting, 50-31, at Rynearson Stadium last season.
Senior Salute
The Bulls have 17 players who have exhausted their eligibility and will be playing in their final game on Tuesday night.
Linebacker Joe Andreessen, specialist Jackson Balter, defensive tackle Jaylon Bass, running back Ron Cook, wide receiver Boobie Curry, long snapper Evan Davis, wide receiver Darrell Harding, safety Demetrius Harris, wide receiver Cole Harrity, kicker Alex McNulty, defensive end Max Michel, tight end Wyatt Molinich, defensive end Jyaire Stevens, offensive lineman Sidney Walker, offensive lineman Gabe Wallace, defensive tackle Daymond Williams and linebacker Jake Zimmer will all be playing their last games for the Bulls.
Strong Start on Defense
The Bulls' defense has gotten off to strong starts in recent games. Against Ohio on Nov. 7 the Bulls held the Bobcats to only 13 yards on six plays and allowed only one first down in the first quarter. The following week at Miami (OH), Buffalo allowed only 13 yards on nine plays and one first down in the first quarter.
Snyder Eclipses 5,000 Yards
Cole Snyder threw for 120 yards against Miami (OH) to bring his career total to 5,004 passing yards. He became just the seventh quarterback in program history to throw for 5,000 yards. He is just the fourth quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in UB's FBS era, joining Joe Licata (9,485), Drew Willy (8,748) and Tyree Jackson (6,999).
Ball Control
Buffalo has controlled the clock and the ball in games this season. For nine straight games, the Bulls have won the time of possession, possessing the ball nearly five minutes more than their opponents. In addition, UB has run more plays than its opponents in eight of the last nine games. Over the last nine games, the Bulls have run an average of 11 plays more than their opponents.
Only Fordham and Central Michigan have run more plays than the Bulls in games this 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 eight 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 52 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 seven conference games, the Bulls only allowed 16.1 points per game while allowing 284 yards per game. Buffalo has allowed 12 touchdowns in MAC play - second only to Toledo's eight.
The Kids Are Alright
The defensive turnaround could be attributed to young players being inserted into the lineup.
Sophomore safety Devin Grant has 68 tackles, five interceptions, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Redshirt-freshman linebacker Red Murdock has 51 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and three forced fumbles on the season.
True freshman cornerback Charles McCartherens has 29 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble.
True freshman linebacker Dion Crawford has made two starts and has 28 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), CJ Ogbonna (3), Darrell Harding (2), Mike Washington (2), Devin Grant (2), Jacqez Barksdale (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 nine games and has totaled 29 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 36 receptions for 415 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.
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 (59), extra points (189) and points scored (361).
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.
