Fifty years ago, the 1958 Bulls football team earned their first invitation to a collegiate bowl game in the history of the University at Buffalo.
On Thursday, the current squad hopes to get one step closer to a coveted bowl game.
The Bulls (5-4, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) head to the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio to take on the Zips (5-4, 3-2 MAC) in a game with multitude of implications on the line.
Both teams currently share first place in the MAC East Division, with the winner taking control of the division. The victor will also hold the tiebreaker against the losing squad.
While the pressure of what a victory would mean for the Bulls looms over their heads, senior defensive tackle Ronald Hilaire feels that the team rather focuses on the game ahead of them.
"We don't want to get too ahead of ourselves thinking about what's at stake," Hilaire said. "We just want to go out there and execute."
Executing is one thing the Bulls have become very familiar with. The team, looking for their best record since joining Division I, is climbing the national rankings with a variety of statistics.
Currently, the Bulls rank seventh in the country in turnover margin, earning 1.22 turnovers per game and are +11 overall.
"Our defensive staff puts a great emphasis every week on creating turnovers," Hilaire said. "In the game, it becomes second nature. It becomes like a drill mentality. You go out there and do it all the time."
In addition, the squad is currently 12th in the country in third down conversions, converting 49 percent of the time, while earning a ranking of fifth in the nation with only a loss of nine turnovers on the year.
Individual Bulls are also shining with the best in the nation. Junior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt currently ranks 17th in the country with 93.7 receiving yards per game. Junior running back James Starks is ranked seventh in the nation in rushing yards, rushing 125 yards per game, while sophomore cornerback Domonic Cook ranks second in the nation with four fumble recoveries.
According to head coach Turner Gill, the success of the trio of Buffalo natives is a testament that local high schools should be taken seriously.
"There's talent here in Buffalo," Gill said. "These guys are still young guys and they'll be instrumental for our team in the future."
As the Bulls head into Akron, Hilaire feels that Zips running back Dennis Kennedy is a force to be reckoned with. In his past three games, Kennedy has run for 612 rushing yards overall, earning six touchdowns.
"He's a very good back," Hilaire said. "He's very shifty and he hits the holes very quick. We're just going to have to tackle well. We need to keep doing what we've been doing since the beginning of the season."
While Kennedy is a key player for the Zips, Gill feels that Starks can be dominant in the backfield for the blue and white.
"[His] speed is number one, which is huge," Gill said. "He also has that God-given ability to put his foot down. Then he has a burst and he hits the hole. He has the tremendous speed to continue to do that."
Another factor that Gill feels is vital to Buffalo's success is in senior quarterback Drew Willy. With a touchdown and 40 passing yards on Thursday, Willy will become the school's all-time leader in both categories.
"He's outstanding," Gill said. "I believe he's one of the top 10 guys in the country. He's an excellent ambassador for our football program."
The Bulls, behind the arm of Willy and the legs of Starks, hope to give the Zips a loss in the final game to be played in Akron's Rubber Bowl. Game time is 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
