Huskie Stadium DeKalb, Ill
Wed., Nov. 4 - 7 p.m. ET
ESPN 2
One doesn’t need to dig very deep to see why the Buffalo Bulls are considered a prime contender for the 2020 MAC championship. They enter this season as a potential offensive juggernaut that could be difficult to stop.
On paper, they will be favored in Wednesday’s matchup against Northern Illinois. Both the preseason Coaches Poll and Media Poll picked the Huskies to finish last in the MAC West. However, NIU had . . .
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES
2019 Record: 5-7, 4-4 MAC
Preseason MAC Coaches poll: Sixth in MAC West
Preseason MAC Media Poll: Sixth in MAC West
>> Husky faithful will be hoping quarterback Ross Bowers can stay healthy.
The Cal transfer was hampered by concussions last year but completed 287 aerials for 2,130 yards. He will look to improve on a 57.8 completion percentage and avoid the interception bug. He had eight picks -- one more than his seven touchdowns.
>> Senior Tyrice Richie and junior Cole Tucker anchor the receiving corps, combining for 70 catches, 946 yards, and five TDs. Senior Tight end Daniel Crawford was just off the team lead with 37 receptions and chipped in a pair of scores.
>> Four starters return upfront, ready to open holes for a young contingent of runners.
>> Injuries also took their toll on NIU’s defense last year.
>> The defense has experience up front, including seniors Weston Kramer and Jack Heflin inside and Matt Lorbeck on one end.
>> Kyle Pugh and Jordan Cole are back at the linebacker level.
>> Some of the biggest questions for NIU are in an inexperienced secondary.
>> Special teams are a Husky strength with kicker John Richardson and punter Matt Ference back. The former was good on 14-of-18 field goal tries in 2019.
BUFFALO BULLS
2019 Record: 8-5, 5-3 MAC
Preseason MAC Coaches poll: SECOND in MAC East
Preseason MAC Media Poll: First in MAC East
>> UB averaged 31.5 ppg (4th MAC) and surrendered just 21.3 ppg 1st MAC).
>> The Bulls best weapon is a potent running attack. They averaged 250.5 ypg (No. 1 MAC). Ironically, they also led the MAC in defending the run. Opponents managed just 94.2 ypg -- over 20 yards better than Central Michigan’s 117.6 ypg.
>> Two Buffalo backs eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in 2019. Junior Jaret Patterson led the MAC with a whopping 1,799 yards on 312 trips (5.8 ypc). Classmate Kevin Marks was also a workhorse, carrying 227 times for 1,035 yards. Between them, Patterson (19) and Marks (8), provided 27 rushing scores.
>> Buffalo also has a pair of options at quarterback. Mike Myers was injured just as UB opened MAC play last year. Kyle Vantrease went the rest of the way. Overall, Buffalo completed 54 percent of itspasses with 14 TDs and six interceptions.
>> Senior Antonio Nunn led UB receivers by a wide margin despite battling injuries. He owned 49 receptions for 687 yards with six TDs. Seniors Zac Lefebvre and Jake Molinich are back at tight end -- a very important part of Buffalo’s offense.
>> With most of the Bulls defensive front returning, Buffalo has the potential to again be among the national leaders in run defense. The front is supported by more experience in junior James Patterson and senior Kakofi Wright at linebacker spots.
>> Senior safety Tyrone Hill earned All-MAC honors last year. Junior corner Aapri Washington is also a returning starter.
>> Special teams were a problem at some inopportune times in 2019. Avoiding a few of those critical miscues this time could help in some close contests.