For the first time in their Division I-A history, the Buffalo Bulls enter the month of November with a .500 record. Four years ago, anyone who knew anything about the football team would have burst out laughing if they heard that.
Since the Turner Gill era commenced in 2006, the program has gone from an ESPN.com "Bottom 10" punch line to a legitimate contender in the Mid-American Conference. Last year they earned a share of the MAC East crown, and Gill was named MAC Coach of the Year.
So far, they've been able to carry that confidence and momentum into this season.
With four games remaining, all against division rivals, the Bulls sit just two wins away from bowl game eligibility.
With their win over Ohio on Tuesday night, the Bulls also entered into a tie for first place in the MAC East and it's now their title to lose.
While Ohio certainly had its struggles on the field, the Bulls capitalized on nearly every opportunity that came their way. Having strong leaders at key positions ensured that the Bulls took advantage of their chances.
Senior quarterback Drew Willy has earned national attention as a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm candidate. He's been accurate and decisive with the football and that has translated into the offense putting up big numbers. For the third year in a row, the Bulls have eclipsed the 200-point mark on offense.
When healthy, junior running back James Starks may be the most talented player on the team. He's suffered through an injury-plagued season so far, but when he's been in the game, he's been electric. Against Ohio, he rushed for a season-high 185 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 52-yard score.
And while the offense has been explosive, the defense has been stout for the most part. They've been able to force timely turnovers with their aggressive nature. Against an Ohio team that seemed to be playing hot potato for most of the night, the defense forced seven fumbles, recovering four and also added an interception.
The tenacity of players like sophomore linebacker Justin Winters and safeties Davonte Shannon and Mike Newton have fueled the defense. With the unit's outstanding turnover ratio, they have set the offense up in great position to put points on the board.
The success certainly doesn't come without some concerns, though.
Four of their last six games have been decided to the last play. While the Bulls have come out on top in two of them (a Hail Mary against Temple and an overtime victory over Army), the other two (a missed last second field goal after rallying in Central Michigan and a fourth quarter meltdown against Western Michigan) have raised questions about whether the team can control a game for 60 minutes.
Even Ohio came close to rallying on Tuesday when the Bulls should have been running away with things. Ohio added 12 points in the final frame and Western Michigan scored 22 fourth quarter points two weeks ago.
The win on Tuesday was only the first road win of the year for the team. In their defense, they've had to play in the houses of powerhouses Pittsburgh and Missouri, and the loss to Central Michigan came on a missed field goal as time expired. Traveling to Akron and Bowling Green with the MAC East title on the line in the coming weeks will prove if they are a real threat on the road.
The players believe in their chances, though, and that's something the program is growing accustomed to. Next week's nationally televised game against Miami (OH) is the next step on the road to a championship. The Bulls continue to learn how to win and deal with the pressure of being a contender.
The next stretch of four weeknight games is probably the most important in the program's history. With Gill leading the way, the Bulls might enter December with their postseason dreams fulfilled.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
