Halfway through the 2007 football season, the Bulls find themselves in an unfamiliar position: first place. Buffalo has never won more than two division games since joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC), yet this season the men in blue and white won their first two MAC east games. The Bulls sit at 2-1 in the conference and 2-0 in the division, going into their conference match-up against the Toledo Rockets.
Head Coach Turner Gill was very happy with the Bulls' 31-10 domination of Ohio, especially coming off of a week of hard practice. Gill said this was the first time since he has been here that the team put together three great practices in a row.
"This week was very special because our guys responded. Our coaches responded. Our players responded. There was a difference in practice and it carried over into the game," he said
A big reason for the team's early success has been sophomore running back James Starks. Starks has nine touchdowns on the season. He is coming off a performance against Ohio where he gained 202 yards on the ground on 36 carries.
Starks has taken advantage of playing time since running-mate sophomore running back Mario Henry has been limited over the past two weeks due to an injury. Henry carried the ball for 52 yards on six carries against Ohio. However, Gill says that Henry experienced soreness after the game and is listed as questionable against Toledo.
With Henry limited, the Bulls will continue to feed the ball to Starks, as Gill believes the best way to win a football game is to establish the running game.
"We want to be 60 percent running the football, and 40 percent throwing the football...that gives us the best opportunity," Gill said.
With the Bulls' early success, Gill says that the team needs to take the next step, which is building off of the victory against Ohio and beginning a win streak.
"Being consistent and being able to handle prosperity. That's the next step for this program," Gill said. "Being able to do it week after week, that's what you start talking about as a winning football team. That's what you start talking about as winning a conference championship. That's consistency."
In order for the Bulls to continue their winning ways, the defense will need to continue the high level of play that they produced against Ohio. In the Bulls' two wins the defense has given up a total of 13 points. However, in the four losses, the Buffalo defense has allowed a whopping 166 points.
A big reason for this inconsistency may be the fact that at times as many as three freshmen have been thrown into action in the secondary. There have been times when freshmen cornerbacks Josh Thomas, Davonte Shannon and Domonic Cook all have been on the field at the same time. Despite only being a sophomore, safety Mike Newton has taken on a leadership role in the defensive background.
"I don't think like there's pressure on me, I just go out there and lead them," Newton said. "Coach Williams asked me to be a leader out there and make sure that the freshmen stay focused. I try to talk to them and encourage them. That way they don't get down on themselves."
The standout of the three freshmen has been Shannon, who tied for the team high with nine tackles against Ohio. Shannon also chipped in with an interception, his second of the season, in the victory.
"I knew he had some talent, I just didn't know when it was all going to click together," Gill said. "I think after this last ball game he's definitely feeling more confident in his ability to make plays. I think the game has slowed down a little bit for him and he's been able to recognize things happening."
With a win against Toledo, Buffalo would have its first winning streak since Nov. of 2001. Newton is excited that being in first place mid-way through the season has legitimized Buffalo's program.
"It feels good, because since I've been here we haven't been there," Newton said. "It helps to show us that we can win and we belong there."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
