Sports - The Spectrum

Buffalo freshman quarterback Tyree Jackson tries to break away from Ball State. Jackson finished the day with career highs in both yards and touchdowns.

SPORTS

UB football loses to Ball State 31-21

By DANIEL PETRUCCELLI | Oct. 15, 2016

With just over three minutes left in the third quarter, Ball State sophomore running back James Gilbert broke away from Buffalo’s defense on an 80-yard rush. After failing to capitalize on their best start of the year, the Buffalo Bulls (1-5, 0-2 Mid-American Conference) fell to the Ball State Cardinals (4-3, 1-2 MAC) 31-21, in front of 16,092 people at UB Stadium Saturday. Gilbert had 264 yards along with two touchdowns and led the Cardinals. Sophomore quarterback Riley Neal also contributed two rushing touchdowns for Ball State as well as 212 yards in the air.

UB men's soccer team celebrates after a win. The men's soccer team will be cut from UB Athletics starting fall 2017.

SPORTS

UB men’s soccer looks to move past Akron loss, keep postseason hopes alive

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Oct. 13, 2016

Last Friday, the UB men’s soccer team (8-3-1) had their worst loss of the season, losing 4-0 on the road against rival Akron. Akron was the first ranked team the Bulls played this season and on Saturday they will take on West Virginia, another team receiving NSCAA Coaches Top 25 votes. Following a 7-0-0 start to the season, Buffalo has stumbled of late and for a team hoping to make its case for a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, it’s gut-check time.

UB football huddles before a game. The Bulls lost to Western Michigan on Saturday.

SPORTS

The edge: Buffalo vs. Ball State preview

By Sports Desk | Oct. 13, 2016

The Buffalo Bulls (1-4, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) head into Saturday’s game against the Ball State Cardinals (3-3, 0-2 MAC) 1-8 in the all-time series. The Bulls’ only win came in the 2008 MAC championship game. It has been five years since the last time the two programs played. The Spectrum has the scouting report on which team has the edge.

Blake Hamilton fakes a pass to get around Miami defenders. Hamilton will not play in the season opener on Nov. 11 due to a broken bone in his hand.

SPORTS

UB forward Blake Hamilton breaks bone in hand

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Oct. 11, 2016

UB men’s basketball team will be without forward Blake Hamilton for four to six weeks, according to a Buffalo News report.

Sophomore forward Carissima Cutrona takes on defenders. Cutrona is the leading scorer for the UB women's soccer team.

SPORTS

With ACL injury behind her, Carissima Cutrona takes center stage for UB women’s soccer

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Oct. 9, 2016

UB women’s soccer team has relied on a tough defense and star goalkeeper this season, but it’s Carissima Cutrona who has carried the load offensively.

Junior linebacker Ishmael Hargrove and senior cornerback Boise Ross make a tackle against Kent State.

SPORTS

Gridiron report card: Buffalo Bulls vs. Kent State Golden Flashes position breakdown

By DANIEL PETRUCCELLI | Oct. 9, 2016

The Buffalo Bulls football team (1-4, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) opened up conference play this week when they hosted the Kent State Golden Flashes (2-4, 1-1 MAC) at UB Stadium Saturday. Kent State overwhelmed UB with their speed and came away with the 44-20 victory.

SPORTS

UB football loses MAC opener to Kent State 44-20

By DANIEL PETRUCCELLI | Oct. 8, 2016

Saturday was all about Nick Holley. Holley, the junior receiver turned quarterback, lead the Kent State Golden Flashes (2-4, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) to victory over the Buffalo Bulls (1-4, 0-1 MAC), 44-20.

Sophomore linebacker Khalil Hodge tackles UAlbany player. Hodge, a JUCO transfer from California, already appears to be in full command as a leader on UB's defense.

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Sophomore linebacker Khalil Hodge matures into leadership role on UB football's defense

By BRIAN LARA | Oct. 8, 2016

Defensively, sophomore middle linebacker Khalil Hodge, a JUCO transfer from California, already appears to be in full command as a leader on defense. Despite just entering the program this year and only being a sophomore, Hodge has already taken on the role of Mike linebacker in UB’s defense. He is the quarterback of UB’s defense and he has thrived as the defensive playcaller thus far for Buffalo.

UB's offense huddles before a play. The offense will need to step up if UB wants to be a contender in the MAC.

SPORTS

UB football looks to turn season around going into MAC play

By DANIEL PETRUCCELLI | Oct. 8, 2016

After a 1-3 start to the season, the UB football team looks to turn it around in conference play. The Bulls open up their Mid-American Conference play when they host Eastern division foe Kent State (1-4, 0-1 MAC) on Saturday. The team is hoping to capitalize on a fresh start after the underwhelming start in their four game non-conference slate.

UB men's soccer warms up together prior to a game. Chemistry will be key to the team as they approach MAC play.

SPORTS

UB men’s soccer chases postseason run four years in the making

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Oct. 6, 2016

UB senior forward Russell Cicerone is not only the best player on UB’s men’s soccer (8-2-1) team, he’s one of the best players in the entire country. In next January’s MLS Superdraft, he has a chance to be one of the first 10 players off the board and selected in the first round.

Junior linebacker Ishmael Hargrove and junior safety Tim Roberts combine to make a tackle against Army last Saturday. Hargrove's strip sack on Saturday against Boston was UB's only score of the game.

SPORTS

UB football loses to Boston College 35-3

By DAN PETRUCCELLI | Oct. 2, 2016

The UB Bulls (1-3) entered Saturday afternoon 1-25 against Power Five schools. They left 1-26, outplayed by ACC school Boston College in all three facets of the game. The Boston College Eagles (3-2) dominated most of the game, winning 35-3 on a misty Saturday at BC's Alumni Stadium. Graduate transfer quarterback Patrick Towles led the Eagles with 234 yards through the air along with two touchdowns. The Bulls were held to their lowest offensive output in 18 years in Division I, with just 67 total yards on the day. Senior running back Jordan Johnson was held to 13 yards on seven carries. Freshman quarterback Tyree Jackson completed 9 of 21 for 42 yards.

Men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats talks to the team during a timeout. Players on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are on the Big 4 Pre-Season Awards list.

SPORTS

UB men’s, women’s basketball on Big 4 Pre-Season Awards list

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Sep. 29, 2016

Big 4 media day was held Wednesday at the KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo. The Big 4 consists of UB, Canisius, Niagara and St. Bonaventure – the four premier institutions in athletics in Western New York. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams placed four players each on preseason All-Big 4 squads.

Freshman quarterback Tyree Jackson throws a pass. Jackson’s 107 passing yards in the fourth quarter, along with two scores, were a major key to Saturday's win.

SPORTS

Gridiron report card: UB vs. Army position breakdown

By DANIEL PETRUCCELLI | Sep. 25, 2016

The Buffalo Bulls (1-2) pulled off the huge upset this week when they took down the previously unbeaten Army Black Knights (3-1) 23-20 in overtime.

Senior defender Angel Hart hits a cross. Hart has proven to be key in the women’s soccer defensive line.

SPORTS

Built from the back: Women’s soccer leans on their defensive line for success

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Sep. 25, 2016

A good defense can keep any team in the game – there are more opportunities to win if they can keep the score low.

UB junior wide receiver Kamathi Holsey catches a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 23-20 win against Army.

SPORTS

UB Bulls pull off upset, beat Army 23-20

By DANIEL PETRUCCELLI | Sep. 25, 2016

Saturday night, the UB Bulls (1-2) called on sophomore kicker Adam Mitcheson when the game was on the line. Mitcheson lined up 33 yards from the goal posts. It was overtime and the game was tied 20-20. The snap was clean and he kicked the ball for everything it was worth.

Senior forward Russell Cicerone strikes a free kick at UB Stadium on Sept. 21. His goal and assist helped the men’s soccer team defeat St. Bonaventure 2-1.

SPORTS

UB men’s soccer retains Big 4 Shield for second consecutive year

By BRIAN LARA | Sep. 22, 2016

After Wednesday night’s win over St. Bonaventure, the men’s soccer team ran in unison to the Big 4 Shield on the sideline and celebrated with True Blue chanting “this is our shield.”

Steven Bennett bounces on a pogo stick in Hudson River Park. Bennett has been signed to Xpogo since he was 15 years old.

SPORTS

UB student Steven Bennett doubles as Extreme Pogo professional

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Sep. 22, 2016

When Steven Bennett was 12 years old, he waited for his parents to leave the house, grabbed his pogo stick and dragged his mattress into the backyard. He had his sights set on something extreme – to complete a full backflip on his pogo stick.

SPORTS

As UB football looks toward the future on the field, they must do the same on the sidelines

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Sep. 19, 2016

If Saturday night’s game at Nevada was supposed to be the start of a new era for UB’s football program, it’s safe to say it didn’t go quite as head coach Lance Leipold planned.

Sophomore Defender Nicole Gerritz hits a cross against Brown University.

SPORTS

UB women’s soccer falls in final non-conference game

By DANIEL PETRUCCELLI | Sep. 16, 2016

Coming off a five game unbeaten streak, women’s soccer (3-3-2) team fell to the Syracuse Orange (7-1-1) 2-0 Wednesday night at SU Soccer Stadium. Junior forward Sheridan Street and junior midfielder Alana O’Neill both contributed goals for the Orange.

Senior forward Russell Cicerone strikes a long shot against Seton Hill University.

SPORTS

UB men’s soccer rolls to 7-0-0 behind another clean sheet

By BRIAN LARA | Sep. 16, 2016

Buffalo (7-0-0) defeated Niagara (1-4-1) 3-0 for their first road win at Niagara Stadium since 1998. Senior forward Russell Cicerone had two goals and one assist in the game.