Ledarius Mack has always had big shoes to fill. His older brother, Khalil, was an All-American linebacker at UB. But Ledarius, who was once teased by friends for not being “tough enough” to make it on the gridiron, has never been one to back down from a challenge. He used his friends’ teasing and brother’s success as motivation.
Men’s basketball started off the regular season with a 68-63 loss on Friday night against Dartmouth (1-0).
Women’s basketball (1-0) started its season Tuesday night with a 61-56 win against Central Connecticut (0-1). While the Bulls came out victorious, the win was still a tough start for the defending conference champions. Consistent defense kept them in the lead but many players struggled offensively, revealing areas for improvement as the season progresses.
Kyle Vantrease never thought the 2019 UB football season would begin like this. Nobody thought it would begin like this. During the third quarter of the Bulls’ week-two game against Penn State, starting punter Evan Finegan after breaking his leg.
The biggest music event and biggest sporting event of the semester will be happening next door to each other Friday. UB basketball tips off against Dartmouth University at 7 p.m. in Alumni Arena as the rising hip-hop giant DaBaby joins Gunna to take over the Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. for “Trap Fest,” the final show in the Fall Fest Concert Series.
UB women’s soccer team (9-7-3) advanced to the Mid-American Conference semifinals for the first time since 2015 with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Akron (8-10-2) Sunday. Sunday’s frigid temperatures didn’t halt the Bulls’ momentum and sophomore forward Taylor Caridi’s goal 109th minute made all the difference for the Bulls, who travel to Bowling Green Friday.
On Saturday, the Bulls (5-4, 3-2 MAC) earned their biggest win of the 2019 season when they blew past the Eastern Michigan Eagles (4-5, 1-4 MAC), 43-14. Buffalo is now just one win away from becoming bowl eligible for the fourth time in program history.
The Bulls wrestling team was back on the mat this weekend. Coming off one of their best seasons in recent program history, the Bulls have high hopes for the 2019 campaign. Last year, the senior-heavy team consistently put up strong performances, earning a second-place finish in the Mid-American Conference.
The women’s basketball team may have the youngest roster in the Mid-American Conference this year but they aren’t playing like it. It seemed the Mercyhurst Lakers had no chance against the Bulls, who held a substantial lead for the entire introductory 96-44 exhibition at Alumni Arena on Friday night.
Buffalo is 4-4 entering the Eastern Michigan game. The Bulls defeated Robert Morris, Temple, Akron and Central Michigan, and lost to Penn State, Liberty, Miami (OH) and Ohio so far this season. Here’s what to expect when the Bulls take on the Eagles Saturday afternoon:
Former UB men’s basketball player Dontay Caruthers signed with the Grand Rapids Drive, the G-League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, on Sunday. Caruthers became the second former Bull to sign a professional contract in the last few weeks, after C.J. Massinburg signed with the Long Island Nets on Oct. 15.
UB volunteer assistant wrestling coach Muhamed McBryde placed fifth at the 2019 Under 23 World Championships in Hungary. McBryde competed in the freestyle 79 kilograms bracket and earned the highest finish ever for a UB alum at the World Championships.
The former UB football star and ‘18 alum’s whirlwind week wasn’t entirely his fault. In a matter of days, Tampa Bay cut him from its roster with no explanation, his plans to propose to his longtime girlfriend Arianna Marinelli were interrupted after misplacing the engagement ring and he had to prove himself to the Baltimore Ravens to keep his football career alive.
A second-quarter sequence during Saturday’s football game gave Buffalo the lead and the Bulls didn’t look back.
The UB men’s basketball team dominated Thursday night with a 111-73 victory against Daemen during its first pre-season exhibition. The defending conference champs played a strong game to prove their new lineup has the skills to make a big impact this season. The win is Jim Whitesell’s first as the Bulls’ head coach.
Coming off a 21-0 victory over Akron, the Bulls return home to Amherst to take on Central Michigan Saturday. The Chippewas are 5-3 following a 38-20 victory over Bowling Green.
The UB women’s soccer team (8-6-1) has extended its win streak to four straight after an overtime win against Western Michigan (6-8-1) Sunday. The Bulls are coming off a successful week as they shut out Ohio University 2-0 last Sunday and Northern Illinois 5-0 on Friday night.
Six former members of the UB football team were selected in last week’s XFL Draft, including four selected by the DC Defenders. Quarterback Tyree Jackson, center James O’Hagan, defensive end Chuck Harris, defensive tackle Kristjan Sokoli, offensive tackle John Kling and punter Jake Schum were all taken in the eight-team draft.
The Bulls volleyball team (7-13) won its second home game of the week Saturday against the Northern Illinois Huskies (6-16). The Bulls showed their skills in three quick sets (25-20, 25-17, 25-15) to bring home the win against the higher-ranked Huskies.
Head women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack is used to recruiting her players. But freshman point guard Jessika Schiffer was different. In Legette-Jack’s words, “Jessika recruited me.”
Solutions by The State News
