The Bulls (4-0 MAC, 5-3 overall) prevailed in the Oct. 22 battle of MAC unbeatens, knocking off Toledo in Buffalo. Hoping to pin a loss on UB is a Bobcat team that just one game back in the MAC East. Ohio (3-1 MAC, 5-3 overall) has won three straight since dropping an overtime contest at Kent State.
Buffalo edged the 'Cats 27-26 last year. Ohio shined early, putting 21 points on the board in the first quarter. However, UB held the visitors to just five points after that. A similar formula has worked this year as UB's defense has been dominant late. The Bulls have not allowed points in the final period in any of their last five games. During that span of fourth quarters, they have outscored opponents 48-0.
Ohio, meanwhile, has won all four games on home turf this year. Moreover, they are 10-1 against UB in games at Peden Stadium since Buffalo joined the MAC in 1999. The Bulls only MAC win in Athens was in 2008.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
OHIO BOBCATS (3-1 MAC, 5-3 OVERALL)
~~ Ohio is coming off a 24-17 home win over Northern Illinois. Defenses dominated the first half, with Ohio's first drive providing the game's only touchdown before intermission. Ohio led at the break, 10-6.
It was 17-all after three periods, but Ohio managed one more score midway through the final stanza to pull out the victory.
~~ Junior Kurtis Rourke completed 14-of-26 passes, good for 200 yards with two TDs. He also led Ohio rushing with seven carries for 64 yards and a score.
~~ Ohio totaled 154 yards on the ground. In addition to Rourke's contributions, Sieh Bangura logged 10 carries for a total of 62 yards.
~~ Sam Wiglusz topped Bobcat receivers with six catches for a total of 69 yards and two touchdowns.
~~ Senior linebacker Keye Thompson led all defenders with 14 tackles, including 2.5 of Ohio six TFLs.
~~ Ohio ranks second among MAC teams in both scoring (32 ppg) and total offense (426.5 ypg). The Bobcats are 10th in rushing (118.0 ypg) and first in passing (308.5 ypg).
~~ Rourke tops MAC passers in pass efficiency, passing average (301.0 ypg) and completion percentage (68.5%). Rourke also leads the conference in total offense (324.6 ypg).
BUFFALO BULLS (4-0 MAC, 5-3 OVERALL)
~~ The Bulls are coming over a 34-27 win over previously MAC-undefeated Toledo. The Rockets appeared comfortably in front with a 27-10 lead after three quarters, but UB came storming back with 24 straight points. That run included three Buffalo touchdowns in a 5:07 span.
~~ Toledo outgained UB 442-398 overall, but the Bulls forced six UT turnovers while committing just one of their own.
~~ QB Cole Snyder completed 22 of 39 passes, good for 245 yards and one TD. That went to Jamari Gassett, who registered four catches totaling 69 yards. Nine players had at least one catch.
~~ Buffalo's ground game produced 153 yards and two scores. Ron Cook Jr. led the way with 18 carries for 118 yards and a TD. Cook was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll following his performance against Toledo. Cook touched the ball 25 times three different ways for 233 all-purpose yards and the winning score
~~ Three Bulls registered double figures in tackles: Shan Dolac (12), Isaiah King (11) and James Patterson (11).
~~ Marcus Fuqua picked off three Rocket passes, while Caleb Offord grabbed one. Fuqua leads the MAC and is tied for the FBS lead with five interceptions.
~~ Buffalo recorded seven TFL against Toledo.
~~ The Bulls are in search of a sixth straight win for just the second time in their FBS era (2013).
~~ Shaun Dolac leads the nation in solo tackles with 62 and ranks 7th in total tackles with 85.
~~ Kicker Alex McNulty is two field goals shy of tying the program record for single-season field goals. McNulty’s 15 field goals, which is tied for second in the nation, is two shy of the record 17 made by Gerald Carlson in 1995.
~~ The Bulls offense has scored 26 touchdowns on the season and 19 drives have been 69 yards or longer.
~~ Buffalo ranks third (MAC) in scoring (30.9 ppg), fourth in total offense (398.6 ypg), fourth in rushing (156.6 ypg) and fifth in passing (242.0 ypg).
~~ The UB defense is second in scoring defense (24.8 ppg), seventh in total defense (391.8 ypg), ninth against the run (172.3 ypg) and fourth in pass defense (219.5 ypg).