One, two, they beat KSU. Three, four, could they win one more? Five, six, nope. Too many picks.
Trying to capitalize on the momentum of last week's win over Kent State, UB's quarterbacks threw five interceptions Saturday, squashing the Bulls' attempt to move the ball downfield in a 38-14 loss to Eastern Michigan in the final game of the season.
In what was also the last game for head coach Jim Hofher, who was fired before the Kent State game, UB gained 125 total yards more than its opponent, but the Bulls couldn't overcome their turnovers.
UB ended its season 1-10 overall and 1-7 in the Mid-American Conference.
"It's very difficult to win a game with five turnovers and with some of the penalties that were drive killers as well," said Hofher. "That was probably as much the tale of the tape as anything, and so many of the turnovers that we had offensively happened down in a potential scoring territory."
As the final whistle ended the game, so ended the careers of 18 seniors and Hofher's five-year tenure at UB.
"Five years ago I signed on to a job with great expectations, personally and professionally," Hofher said. "I am extremely grateful for the coaches that have been here and I want to thank them, as well as this group of fifth-year seniors, for all that they have done to try to advance this program. I don't have a single regret. In this business you need to take a chance all the time and every day. The fact that it has not worked out doesn't mean that it's been a lost five years."
Regardless of Hofher's 8-49 career record with UB, senior cornerback Gemara Williams showed much love for the coach that got him to UB.
"I would like to thank coach Hofher," said Williams, an assistant team captain. "I can't say that I was a big-time recruit coming out of high school and coach really took a chance on me, and I really hope that I managed to come through and live up to his expectations."
After allowing no yards on the first two plays, the Bulls defense was flagged for pass interference on third down, giving up the automatic first.
Even without their starting quarterback, the Eagles capitalized on the penalty, converting two more third downs and setting up a sweep play which allowed Anthony Sherrell to take it 47 yards to the end zone.
With the help of a key Eastern Michigan offsides penalty, UB was able to move the ball 56 yards into Eagle territory, only to miss a 28-yard field goal off the foot of senior kicker Michael Baker.
The Bulls were able to tie the game 7-7 early in the second as a key block from the back allowed junior tight end Chad Upshaw to convert a big third down over the middle. Freshman quarterback Drew Willy found the junior again for a one-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone.
But the Eagles' march to regain the lead could not be stopped as they drove 73 yards for the go-ahead score. Backup quarterback Matt Bohnet ended the drive with an 18-yard high floater to Eric Deslauriers for the touchdown.
With the wind howling, Eagles kicker Andrew Wellock managed to break school records by kicking a 52-yard field goal, giving them a 17-7 lead.
On the subsequent drive, Willy took a sack before being intercepted by linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw. Bohnet capitalized, once again finding Deslauriers, this time for a 16-yard score.
Keeping it interesting, the Bulls drove down the field before halftime. Willy completed a few big strikes, including a 39-yard, career-long grab by freshman wide receiver Ernest Jackson. Fellow wide receiver Jeff Green showed his determination catching two passes for a combined 27 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown reception, the first of the sophomore's career.
The Bulls went into the locker room down 24-14 at halftime, with the game still within reach, but the team fell victim to the turnover bug as a Willy pass bounced off the hands of the receiver into an Eagle's talons.
After converting the pick into a 31-14 lead, Eastern Michigan got a second present as a screen pass deflected off the back's hands into the open arms of Michael Richardson, who returned it 43 yards for the last score of the game.
Willy, who ended the day 18-30 for 186 yards, 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, was replaced by junior QB Tony Paoli, who completed 7 of 11 with one pick.
