By MIKE SMITH
If there’s no crying in baseball (per Tom Hanks), then there certainly can’t be crying in football. Therefore, the Miami RedHawks and Buffalo Bulls can only bemoan recent woes so far.
The two teams meet Saturday at Yager Stadium in Oxford. Miami won last year’s matchup, but . . .
If there’s no crying in baseball (per Tom Hanks), then there certainly can’t be crying in football. Therefore, the Miami RedHawks and Buffalo Bulls can only bemoan recent woes so far.
The two teams meet Saturday at Yager Stadium in Oxford. Miami won last year’s matchup, but . . .
. . . the Bulls have emerged victorious in four of the last five in the series.
Moreover, neither team, it might be said, has behaved quite like it did the previous year.
Moreover, neither team, it might be said, has behaved quite like it did the previous year.
After five games in 2017, the Bulls already had more wins (3) than all of last year (2). They also were riding a three game winning streak.
Were it not for a bounce here and a yard there, UB might have five wins by now, but the Bulls fell to Western Michigan 71-68 in an historic seven overtime game two weeks ago and then dropped a 14-13 decision to Northern Illinois last Saturday.
Beyond the disappointment of two such losses, the Bulls are also dealing with the loss of another quarterback. Drew Anderson, who had been impressive after taking over for injured Tyree Jackson in Week Four, was himself injured against Northern Illinois.
Freshman Kyle Vantrease stepped in against the Huskies and is expected to get the start against Miami.
Freshman Kyle Vantrease stepped in against the Huskies and is expected to get the start against Miami.
Buffalo at Miami
Saturday, Oct. 21 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium -- Oxford, OH
ESPN3
Saturday, Oct. 21 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium -- Oxford, OH
ESPN3
The RedHawks, meanwhile, lost starting QB Gus Ragland two games ago. Fellow junior Billy Bahl will again get the start as Miami attempts to put the brakes on a serious slide. The RedHawks have lost three straight and four of the last five.
Some significant injuries haven’t helped, but MU has been its own worst enemy with a series of untimely (to put it mildly) turnovers and other errors.
The team that ran off six straight to close 2017 has backed itself into a corner where it needs a similar stretch run over the remaining five contests. It defeated four of the five last season, but that hasn’t meant much this time around. The RedHawks have already lost to a pair of opponents they defeated last season.
“We talked about it from Day One,” Miami head coach Churck Martin said. “We’re going to be in a position to win every game. We’re going to be in a position to lose every game, which has been accurate every game except Notre Dame.
While it comes down to execution, Martin indicated the execution in close games demands “mental toughness,” on every play, especially down the stretch.
“We’ve got to figure out a way right now to finish games, because we’re going to be in close games, and if you can’t make plays down the stretch, you’re not going to win close games.”
Here’s more on the two teams:
Some significant injuries haven’t helped, but MU has been its own worst enemy with a series of untimely (to put it mildly) turnovers and other errors.
The team that ran off six straight to close 2017 has backed itself into a corner where it needs a similar stretch run over the remaining five contests. It defeated four of the five last season, but that hasn’t meant much this time around. The RedHawks have already lost to a pair of opponents they defeated last season.
“We talked about it from Day One,” Miami head coach Churck Martin said. “We’re going to be in a position to win every game. We’re going to be in a position to lose every game, which has been accurate every game except Notre Dame.
While it comes down to execution, Martin indicated the execution in close games demands “mental toughness,” on every play, especially down the stretch.
“We’ve got to figure out a way right now to finish games, because we’re going to be in close games, and if you can’t make plays down the stretch, you’re not going to win close games.”
Here’s more on the two teams:
BUFFALO BULLS (3-4, 1-2 MAC)
>>> Buffalo’s four loses this year are by a total of 18 points.
>>> The Bulls had stepped up their passing game under Drew Anderson, who has completed 62.7 percent of his passes. The 6-5 junior from Orinda, California has thrown 10 TDs and just one interception. Seven of the touchdowns came in the seven overtime loss to WMU.
>>> Freshman QB Kyle Vantrease is a former First Team All-State prep player at Stow-Munroe Falls H.S. in Ohio. He passed for 22 touchdowns and ran for eight as a senior. He also punted 21 times for a 39-yard average and made 18-of-19 extra point attempts.
>>> Vantrease came into last week’s game in the second quarter, completing 8 of 16 pass attempts for 153 yards with one interception. He was sacked three times by a Northern Illinois defense that leads the conference in QB takedowns (20 in six games).
>>> Vantease would be the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Buffalo since Drew Willy in 2005.
>>> Buffalo totaled 344 passing yards and just 39 rushing against NIU, which tops the MAC in rush defense.
>>> Sophomore Emmanuel Reed (5-8, 190) is the Bulls top runner, carrying 109 times for 439 yards and five TDs. He eclipsed 100 yards three times – all Buffalo wins.
>>> Junior Anthony Johnson had 11 catches for 195 yards and two TDs in the Bulls seven-OT loss to Western Michigan. He was good for seven receptions and 140 yards last week against NIU. Johnson leads the MAC and ranks fourth in the nation in receiving yards. He is the cousin of former NFL top pick Jadeveon Clowney.
>>> Junior linebacker Ladarius Mack is the younger brother of former UB All-American (and NFL fifth pick) Khalil Mack.
>>> Linebacker Khalil Hodge leads the nation in tackles, averaging 14.4 per game. He registered 19 stops last week versus NIU.
>>> Buffalo’s four loses this year are by a total of 18 points.
>>> The Bulls had stepped up their passing game under Drew Anderson, who has completed 62.7 percent of his passes. The 6-5 junior from Orinda, California has thrown 10 TDs and just one interception. Seven of the touchdowns came in the seven overtime loss to WMU.
>>> Freshman QB Kyle Vantrease is a former First Team All-State prep player at Stow-Munroe Falls H.S. in Ohio. He passed for 22 touchdowns and ran for eight as a senior. He also punted 21 times for a 39-yard average and made 18-of-19 extra point attempts.
>>> Vantrease came into last week’s game in the second quarter, completing 8 of 16 pass attempts for 153 yards with one interception. He was sacked three times by a Northern Illinois defense that leads the conference in QB takedowns (20 in six games).
>>> Vantease would be the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Buffalo since Drew Willy in 2005.
>>> Buffalo totaled 344 passing yards and just 39 rushing against NIU, which tops the MAC in rush defense.
>>> Sophomore Emmanuel Reed (5-8, 190) is the Bulls top runner, carrying 109 times for 439 yards and five TDs. He eclipsed 100 yards three times – all Buffalo wins.
>>> Junior Anthony Johnson had 11 catches for 195 yards and two TDs in the Bulls seven-OT loss to Western Michigan. He was good for seven receptions and 140 yards last week against NIU. Johnson leads the MAC and ranks fourth in the nation in receiving yards. He is the cousin of former NFL top pick Jadeveon Clowney.
>>> Junior linebacker Ladarius Mack is the younger brother of former UB All-American (and NFL fifth pick) Khalil Mack.
>>> Linebacker Khalil Hodge leads the nation in tackles, averaging 14.4 per game. He registered 19 stops last week versus NIU.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (2-5, 1-2 MAC)
>>> Gus Ragland threw a pair of TDs and ran for another score, while DB De’Andre Montgomery broke last yar’s matchup open by scoring on two third quarter turnovers. One was a 20-yard interception return, while the other was a 92-yard fumble return. Those are the kind of plays that have gone against Miami in 2017.
>>> MU led 14-3 at the half before giving up 14 third quarter points. The RedHawks had a chance to tie the game late in the final period, but Sam Sloman’s 26-yard attempt sailed wide right. It was his second FB miss in 11 attempts. He hs mde 18 of 19 PAT kicks.
>>> Junior Billy Bahl was a starter early in 2017 but was replaced by Ragland, who returned from a spring ACL injury. Ragland then led the team to six straight wins and a bowl appearance.
Bahl’s first throw at Kent State was intercepted. He was also intercepted once in the second quarter.
Bahl finished 12 of 29 for 174 yards with two TDs and two picks – both in the first half.
>>> Junior wideout James Gardner added to his touchdown haul with another score against KSU. Gardner owns 29 catches for 602 yards and six TDs on the year. Four of his touchdowns have come in the last three games, with two at Notre Dame.
>>> TE Ryan Smith and WR Jared Murphy have combined for 40 receptions, 520 yards and four touchdowns. Miami has 14 passing TDs and six rushing touchdowns.
>>> The RedHawks running game has been on the rise. MU gained 161 yards Saturday. Alonzo Smith carried 14 times for 96 yards, while Kenny Young made 13 trips for 83 yards.
>>> Punter Kyle Kramer earned MAC East Player of the Week honors, averaging 43.2 yards per kick on six boots.
>>> Linebacker Brad Koenig registered nine solo hits and three tfl among his team-high 11 tackles Saturday.
>>> Miami ranks 14th in the country in time of possession (33:00 mpg)
>>> Gus Ragland threw a pair of TDs and ran for another score, while DB De’Andre Montgomery broke last yar’s matchup open by scoring on two third quarter turnovers. One was a 20-yard interception return, while the other was a 92-yard fumble return. Those are the kind of plays that have gone against Miami in 2017.
>>> MU led 14-3 at the half before giving up 14 third quarter points. The RedHawks had a chance to tie the game late in the final period, but Sam Sloman’s 26-yard attempt sailed wide right. It was his second FB miss in 11 attempts. He hs mde 18 of 19 PAT kicks.
>>> Junior Billy Bahl was a starter early in 2017 but was replaced by Ragland, who returned from a spring ACL injury. Ragland then led the team to six straight wins and a bowl appearance.
Bahl’s first throw at Kent State was intercepted. He was also intercepted once in the second quarter.
Bahl finished 12 of 29 for 174 yards with two TDs and two picks – both in the first half.
>>> Junior wideout James Gardner added to his touchdown haul with another score against KSU. Gardner owns 29 catches for 602 yards and six TDs on the year. Four of his touchdowns have come in the last three games, with two at Notre Dame.
>>> TE Ryan Smith and WR Jared Murphy have combined for 40 receptions, 520 yards and four touchdowns. Miami has 14 passing TDs and six rushing touchdowns.
>>> The RedHawks running game has been on the rise. MU gained 161 yards Saturday. Alonzo Smith carried 14 times for 96 yards, while Kenny Young made 13 trips for 83 yards.
>>> Punter Kyle Kramer earned MAC East Player of the Week honors, averaging 43.2 yards per kick on six boots.
>>> Linebacker Brad Koenig registered nine solo hits and three tfl among his team-high 11 tackles Saturday.
>>> Miami ranks 14th in the country in time of possession (33:00 mpg)
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