
Saturday, Oct. 2 -- Noon ET
UB Stadium -- Buffalo, NY
CBSSN
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Western Michigan Broncos face Eastern Division defending champion Buffalo on the Bulls turf Saturday.
Buffalo got back on the winning track last week, edging Old Dominion when the Monarchs missed a PAT with 19 seconds remaining. If the Bulls want to pick up their third win this week, they'll probably have to improve on that performance as ODU led in almost every statistical categorie except turnovers. Those miscues -- and the missed PAT -- were enough to give UB a victory that evened the Bulls record at 2-2.
The last time UB and Western Michigan met, the teams played one of the longest games in NCAA history. The Broncos defeated the Bulls, 71-68, in seven overtimes - tying the longest game in NCAA history.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
WESTERN MICHIGAN (3-1, 0-0 MAC)
>> The Broncos are one of only two MAC teams to reach Week Five with a winning record. Eastern Michigan is also 3-1.
>> Western Michican lost its opener to Michigan (47-14), but bounced back with wins over Illinois State (28-0), Pittsburgh (44-41) and San Jose State (23-3)
>> After surrendendering an early field goal last week, WMU scored all of the game's remaining 24 points.
>> Sophomore QB Kaleb Eleby completed 17-of-28 passes for 200 yards with two touchdowns. He leads all MAC passers with an average of 225.5 yards per game. He also had a MAC-best seven passing touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception.
>> Sophomore Skyy Moore led Bronco receivers with nine catches for 95 yards. Corey Crooms and Jaylen Hall combined for five catches, 88 yards and two TDs.
>> Sean Tyler and Ladarius Jefferson each carried 12 times, combining for 112 rushing yards. Jefferson, a 6-1, 235-pound junior leads MAC running backs with six scores and is averaging 68.5 ypg.
>> Delano Ware led a strong WMU defensive effort on the road. The Broncos forced three turnovers and totaled eight sacks, with Ralph Holley recording 2.5 sacks. Ryan Selig owned the interception.
>> Western Michigan is fifth in points scored (27.3 ppg) second in passing and second in passing efficiency.
>> Defensively, WMU ranks second (MAC) in points allowed (22.8 ppg), third in passing defense and second in rushing defense.
BUFFALO BULLS (2-2)
>> After an season-opening 69-7 romp over Wagner, UB lost to Nebraska (28-3) and #16 Coastal Carolina (28-25). Last Saturday's one-point win over Old Dominion evened the Bulls record at 2-2.
>> The Bulls scored all 35 points against ODU in the first half, including 28 points in the second period.
>> Old Dominion registered more yardage (433-297) and more first downs (27-17), but had a 3-1 turnover deficit. One of those turnovers was a 67-yard fumble return by Alex McNulty.
>> Quarterback Kyle Vantrease completed 17-of-26 pass attempts, good for 191 yards and a TD.
>> Vantrease ranks fourth among MAC passers, producing 190.0 ypg.
>> Senior Quian Williams leads MAC receivers with 346 receiving yards, 24 receptions and 86.5 ypg. He had nine catches for 134 yards and a score against ODU.
>> Buffalo has two players among the MAC's to eight rushers. Kevin Marks is eighth with an average of 63.5 ypg.Dylan McDuffie is eighth (56.0 ypg).
>> Four Buffalo defenders reached double digits in tackles against Old Dominion. Kadofi Wright led the way with 11 hits, 1 sack and 2 TFL. James Patterson recorded one interception, with a return of 11 yards.
>> The Bulls lead the MAC and rank 15th nationally in third down conversions at 53 percent (35-of-66). Buffalo was 8-of-13 against Wagner, 11-of-22 against a Nebraska, 9-of-16 against Coastal Carolina and 7-of-15 against Old Dominion.