Second to Last?

With a win this weekend, the Buffalo Bulls football team has the chance to avoid a second straight season in the cellar of the Mid-American Conference East Division.

A Bulls (1-10, 1-6 MAC) win combined with Ohio losing out (against Miami of Ohio and Marshall), would mean that Buffalo would finish ahead of the Bobcats in the standings

But, to do so the Bulls will have to battle and defeat a tough, underrated Kent State (4-7, 3-4 MAC) squad led by dual threat quarterback Joshua Cribbs on Saturday.

Buffalo head coach Jim Hofher noted the difficulties of defending such a versatile player like Cribbs.

"It's extremely challenging for the greatest of defenses because he is elusive as a runner. I think he has showed that he is a very strong armed thrower and can really throw the ball far," said Buffalo head coach Jim Hofher in a teleconference.

However, Cribbs sprained his ankle last week against No. 25 Bowling Green, a game in which the Falcons barely edged out KSU 42-33.

According to Golden Flashes head coach Dean Pees, Cribbs' injury isn't serious and he might be starting this weekend.

While the season is over for both of these teams, the fact that this game is a must win for morale still lingers, and Pees said he is not overlooking Buffalo.

"I just want to win the game this week," said Pees. "That's all I care about. There is nothing better for us in the off-season than ending the season with a win."

KSU isn't the only team in this weekend's match up that might be looking at a different quarterback at the helm. Buffalo, which has started junior Randall Secky the last two games, has a decision on their hands with a healthy P.J. Piskorik dressing after missing two weeks to a shoulder injury.

"Randall has started the last two games primarily because of P.J.'s health," stated Hofher. "But now that he is healthy we need to see who is going to do the best job in practice."

UB should not worry as much about their offense however, because the defense will be trying to stop a Golden Flash offense that is clicking on all cylinders.

"The offense is playing with a tremendous amount of confidence," said Pees. "They feel like they can score on anybody.

Just how important is Cribbs to this Golden Flash offense? Cribbs leads the team in passing and rushing yards this season with 2,213 and 540 yards respectively. Not many players in NCAA football can boast that.

Game time is set for 4 p.m. Saturday in Kent State.