UB vs. Iowa Game Preview

The opponent can take the wind out of a team's sails - as Rutgers did to the Bulls last week - but you cannot take the heart out of a team.

UB will need to keep that same attitude and play with just as much heart to even have a minuscule chance against the Big 10 powerhouse Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa comes into this contest 1-0 and ranked No. 23 in the nation. The Hawkeyes defeated Miami of Ohio at home 21-3 in the season opener for both squads.

Iowa, who comes into this game as heavy favorites, are focused on the task at hand, which is to not overlook the Bulls.

"We have concerns every time we line up," stated Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz in a teleconference with the Buffalo media. "Our first concerns are basically internal. We're only one game into the season with a fairly young and inexperienced football team. First and foremost, our focus will remain where it's been and probably will be all season, on what we are doing."

Iowa, one of college football's surprise teams of last season, finished the year at 11-2 with a share in the Big 10 crown along with national champion Ohio State. The Hawkeyes made an Orange Bowl spurred by Heisman trophy runner-up QB Brad Banks, but fell to University of Southern California 38-17.

The Hawkeyes are ready to prove to critics that they are not a "one and done" team. The Fighting Illini of Illinois became suspect to this as they finished 10-2 in 2001 and then proceeded to go 5-7 in 2002.

Three of the last four teams to win a share of the Big 10 crown, including Illinois, finished the next season at .500 or worse.

Iowa, who finished No. 8 in the nation last year, are ready to prove the myth wrong.

Helping them on their journey is the return of one of the most potent running backs in the nation in Fred Russell. Last season, Russell rushed for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns on 220 carriers. Last week against Miami (OH), Iowa was able to run at will as Russell rushed for 165 yards on 22 caries while scoring one touchdown.

"Fred Russell is truly outstanding," said UB head coach Jim Hofher. "He's tough, he's got speed and he's an excellent inside runner."

Last year, Russell was complimented well by the departed Banks who Iowa has replaced with Nathan Chandler at quarterback.

Chandler saw limited action, mainly in Iowa blowouts. Chandler, a pure pocket passer, is the complete opposite of Banks, who was a scrambling quarterback.

The passing game, while not statistically huge, was more effective than the running game. Chandler went 12-19 for 130 yards but threw for two touchdowns, one of which was to receiver Maurice Brown that sealed the deal for the Hawkeyes late in the fourth quarter.

The RedHawks had to deal with a stingy Iowa defense last week, as Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went 27 of 42 for 247 yards, but had four interceptions, which proved to be costly for Miami.

The Hawkeyes were also able to stifle the running game of Miami, which was non-existent, mustering only 54 yards on the ground.

The Bulls will look to the running game against Iowa this week, with Dave Dawson and Aaron Leeper as the Bulls' main threats in the backfield. Hofher is hoping for an improved ground game led by the offensive line.

"We've really been determined to figure out and create ways in which we could run the football better," Hofher said. "We will go, in terms of the running game, the way our offensive line will take us, because most (running backs) will look the same if there are or are not seems to run through."

Ferentz has even noticed Buffalo's improved running game and other small improvements that might go un-noticed to fans.

"Buffalo is an improved team," stated Ferentz during a teleconference with the Buffalo media. "We are impressed with the effort that they play with. Offensively, they have a veteran group up front and some skill guys that can do some good things - I'm impressed with their running backs."

One thing that will be different from typical MAC games for the Bulls will be the atmosphere in which they'll be playing in. Buffalo will make its first appearance in Kinnick Stadium, which holds 70,397 fans, a size similar to the Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium.

While the Bulls do have experience in playing in larger formats - such as the Carrier Dome and Metrodome - it's still going to be a challenge for the Bulls.

"It's going to be very exciting," said Dawson. "It will be a great atmosphere in which to play a football game and a great challenge for us."

Game time for this David vs. Goliath match is set for this Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa 11:05 p.m. Central Standard Time.