The football team (3-3, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) is coming off a devastating 36-35 loss against reigning MAC champion Bowling Green (4-2, 2-0 MAC) last Saturday. This week, the Bulls travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan to take on Eastern Michigan.
The Eagles rank last in most offensive and defensive categories in the MAC, including scoring offense (10.8 points per game), scoring defense (42.8 points allowed per game) and rushing defense (233.2 yards allowed per game).
But Buffalo should not under underestimate its opponent, especially when playing on the road. The Bulls nearly lost to Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent Duquesne in the first week of the season and only defeated Miami Ohio (1-5, 1-1 MAC) – a team that was on a 21-game losing streak – by eight at UB Stadium.
Eastern Michigan has won five of its last six matchups against Buffalo, but the Bulls took the last game 42-14 last season.
Here are some players and matchups to watch out for in Saturday’s game.
Bronson Hill, senior running back
The Eagles have three running backs with more than 100 rushing yards this season, but Hill is the team’s leader by 108 yards. Through five games, he has 56 carries for 233 yards. But 192 of those yards have come in two games. He has run for just 41 yards with a 1.9 yards a carry average in his other three games.
His 5-foot-10 frame can be deceptive. His size is comparable to former Buffalo running back Branden Oliver. Hill is quick, elusive and able to hit small running lanes. The Buffalo front seven shouldn’t take Hill lightly just because of his size.
Pat O’Connor, junior defensive lineman
Eastern Michigan’s defense is tied for 10th in the MAC in sacks, but has the conference sack leader on its defensive line.
O’Connor leads the MAC with 4.5 sacks and has amassed seven tackles for loss through five games this season. He is the prototypical defensive lineman. His 6-foot-4 and 275 pound is an ideal size to plug the offensive line and limit the Buffalo running game, which has racked up 507 rushing yards over its past two games.
There is a reason he is the team’s two-time defensive MVP. In Eastern Michigan’s only win this season, O’Connor had 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Great Ibe, junior linebacker
Through five games this season, Ibe’s play has held up to his first name.
He leads the team with 51 tackles, 16 more than any other player on the Eagles, and ranks fourth in the MAC. He also ranks second on the team with 3.5 tackles for loss.
The Bulls should not be fooled by Ibe’s 6-foot build. He is a talented open-field tackler and has a keen sense for knowing where the ball is. Buffalo has been moving the ball effectively all season, but Ibe will be looking to put a stop to that.
Matchup to watch: Anthone Taylor vs. Eagles’ front seven
In the last two weeks, junior running back Anthone Taylor has emerged as one of the best offensive weapons not only on the Bulls, but maybe in the country. Taylor leads the MAC and fifth in the nation in rushing yards this season with 798 yards. His nine rushing touchdowns are the third most in the country. He has averaged 226 yards and three touchdowns per game in MAC play this season.
This week, Taylor will have the chance to run against the worst rush defense in the conference. If Eastern Michigan allows Taylor to use his power and speed to exploit the Eagles’ struggling defensive line, it could be a long afternoon for the Eagles.
The Bulls have a long history of successful running back lineage with current NFL players James Starks and Branden Oliver. If Taylor can keep up his pace from the past few weeks, he will begin to cement his place in that group.
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Photo: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
