Published: September 25, 2007 11:21 pm            

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UB gets back to the MAC

AMHERST — Outclassed by three Big opponents so far this season, the Buffalo Bulls now get a chance to play one of their peers.

UB is 1-3 after losses to Rutgers, Penn State and Baylor, representatives of the Big East, Big Ten and Big 12 conferences, respectively. But they’re 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference’s East division, which, according to coach Turner Gill, is the record the Bulls are most concerned with.

“Our goal is to win the MAC East division,” Gill said Tuesday. “Everything else, (we) can take it from there.”

Though UB begins a string of three MAC games Saturday at Ball State (1 p.m., WGR 550), a win won’t help the Bulls toward the division title. The Cardinals play in the MAC West division, and with Temple — the lone team UB has beaten so far — joining the MAC this season, divisional games became the primary factor in determining who plays for the league championship.

Saturday’s game will give the Bulls a chance to see how far they’ve progressed in a year. Last season, UB followed up surprisingly competitive effort at Auburn by spotting Ball State 14 points in the first five minutes en route to a 55-25 loss on homecoming day at UB Stadium.

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The Bulls enter Saturday’s game on an unprecedented offensive roll.

For the first time since joining the MAC, UB has scored 21 or more points in three straight games. They’ve also gained more than 350 yards in each of the last three weeks, a feat they accomplished just three times last season. In their last three outings, UB is averaging 400.7 yards per game.

“I think our players are really rising to the occasion of what we’re trying to do here,” Gill said. “I’m excited about where we’re at and I’m excited about where we’re going.”

UB also leads the MAC in time of possession, averaging 31 minutes, 36 seconds per game.

Defensively, UB continues to lead the MAC in rushing yards allowed per game (154.8), thanks in part to eight sacks that have taken 66 yards off opponent rushing totals, second most in the league.

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Ball State is coming off a 41-40 loss at Nebraska where they led by nine points in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Nate Davis had a career-high 422 yards in the near upset.

Gill, who played and coached at Nebraska, said he plans to touch base with a few of the Cornhuskers coaches this week to get a scouting report.

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Gill said running back Mario Henry is doubtful for Saturday’s game, though he declined to disclose Henry’s injury. Henry, who has split time at running back with Niagara Falls’ James Starks, is the Bulls leading rusher this season, with 238 yards on 45 carries (5.3 average). Starks has 150 yards on 60 attempts (2.5 average).

Gill said Brandon Thermilus, the son of former Houston Oilers running back Alonzo Highsmith, would see more action if Henry can’t play.

Fullback Chris Scharon is still recovering form mononucleosis, Gill said.

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

        

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