Stuck in neutral

History seems to be repeating itself.

For the second time in three years, UB football is off to a 0-6 start and will look to make some offensive changes as it hopes to notch a few in the win column against the rest of its scrappy conference foes.

This Saturday the Bulls head to Toledo where they will face the surprising Rockets (5-1, 3-0 Mid-American Conference). Last week the Bulls' defense lined up against the Bowling Green with its bulls-eye on star quarterback Omar Jacobs, who UB held to minimal damage in a 27-7 loss.

UB (0-6 overall, 0-3 MAC) was able to mostly contain Jacobs, allowing the junior just 184 yards on 18 completions while forcing two interceptions. Until last Saturday, Jacobs averaged over 300 yards passing a game.

"It's an offense that has been highly efficient and effective against everybody," head coach Jim Hofher said, referring to Bowling Green. "It was arguably the worst day that they have had offensively in a long, long time. I think the credit needs to go to the way that the guys played defense."

While the defense was doing what it could to contain the Falcons, mistakes down the stretch, including two roughing the kicker penalties, cost the Bulls the game.

"We're just shooting ourselves in a foot," said junior linebacker Jeff Bublavi. "We can't afford to make those mistakes when playing against teams like Bowling Green. You make those and your chances of winning go down."

UB's offense hasn't helped with the team's chances of winning, struggling to enter the red zone and convert its opportunities to make plays and score.

"We have struggled," Hofher said. "We have gotten a little bit better getting from 20 to 20. We've got to be able to finish it. It's the most competitive part of the field. We simply have to execute better."

"First, we need to do it better when we're there," Hofher added. "Secondly, we need to be there more often. We've only been there six times by our count. We haven't had big long plays."

Freshman quarterback Drew Willy has struggled as of late, completing 22 of 47 attempts for 184 yards and three interceptions over the past two games.

"You're going to see new things and you've got to kind of go around the block. That's what's called experience," Hofher said. "While (Willy) is gaining it, and it's helping him to become a little more savvy and develop a little bit greater anticipation as a quarterback, there are things that still cause him to look (scared)."

Bad things can happen when a player becomes, frazzled but good things seem to happen when the ball gets into the hands of freshman fullback Phillip Warren, who rushed for 92 yards on 17 attempts and entered the end zone on UB's lone score.

"(Phil) is learning stuff every week, play-wise and assignment-wise, that he may not have had the week before," Hofher said. "It takes time to learn all the different things that a guy needs to know. You've got to have more tools in the toolbox and that's what some of these guys are learning, 'What's the next tool in the toolbox for me and for us?' "

If UB hopes to beat Toledo, the Bulls better bring that toolbox to Ohio, where the team will need to be ready and equipped to build on the lessons learned in past defeats.

Standing in the way is another standout MAC quarterback, the Rockets' Bruce Gradkowski, who is also a Heisman candidate.

"Every team is going to present its own challenges and nuances to the offensive plan," Hofher said. "Gradkowski is a really powerful runner when he chooses to run with it. They are more of a power running team, more of a quarterback under the center team, but they're not exclusively that. They can get under the shotgun too. They run more screens than most teams do."

Gradkowski has completed 63.7 percent of his 135 attempts this season for 12 touchdowns while giving up four interceptions. Running back Trinity Dawson is the Rockets' leading rusher, with 105 attempts for a net gain of 601 yards.

If UB's defense plays to its potential and gets enough rest by way of the offense, Gradkowski and Dawson could get a run for their money.

"Everyone has got to do their job," Bublavi said. "If everyone on the defense does their job, the run is going to take care of itself. Our goal is under 100 yards a game."

"It's somewhat of a 'pick your poison' deal," Hofher said. "If you overplay things too much, they can hurt you in the running game and if you overplay the running game too much, they can definitely hurt you in the screen and passing game."

Saturday night's game has the chance to be competitive if the Bulls live up to their potential, or a complete obliteration otherwise. The game begins at Toledo at 7 p.m.