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MRO PREVIEW: Western Michigan at Buffalo

10/4/2017

 
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Are the Buffalo Bulls contenders?
Well, their stock has been rising and Saturday will be a chance to see how well the Bulls can do against an impressive Western Michigan contingent.
Actually, both WMU and UB enter Saturday’s tilt riding three game winning streaks.
Buffalo dropped its . . .

. . . first two 2017 outings (at Minnesota and at Army) by a total of 14 points. It then ran off home victories against Colgate and Florida Atlantic before registering a MAC road win at Kent State last Saturday.
Western Michigan also dropped its first two outings, albeit putting up very respectable fights against No. 4 USC and Michigan State. The Broncos then registered a come-from behind win over Idaho at thumping Wagner and Ball State. 

WESTERN MICHIGAN AT BUFFALO
UB Stadium – Buffalo, NY
Saturday, Oct. 7 -- 3:30 p.m. ET
ESPN3

WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (3-2, 1-0 MAC)
● Former WMU quarterback Tim Lester is now head coach at his alma mater, replacing the departed P. J. Fleck.
● According to ESPN.com, Western Michigan is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in special teams efficiency. That unit has produced three touchowns.
● Senior Darius Phillips is the FBS active  leader in kickoff return yardage (2,879 yards).
● The Broncos opened MAC play last Saturday with a 55-3 drubbing of Ball State.
Despite kicking off, WMU scored 10 seconds into the game. It was 31-0 by halftime and 48.3 before the third quarter ended.
● Sophomore quarterback Jon Wassink completed 14 of 20 passes (70%) against BSU, good for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
Wassink has thrown two interceptions on the year – one in each of the first two games (No. 4 USC and Michigan State). On the year, he has completed 61.3 percent for 763 yards and seven TDs.
● Sophomore Keishawn Watson (5 catches, 93 yards, 2 TDs) and senior TE Donnie Ernsberger (4 ctches, 67 yards, 1 TD) led the Broncos receiving corps.
● Three Broncos had at least nine carries against BSU. Junior Jamauri Bogan 13 rushes, 69 yards) and Jarvion Franklin (11 rushes, 37 yrds 1 TD), led the way, while sophomore Davon Tucker chipped in 32 yards and a score on nine trips.
● Eight Western players owned at least four tackles. Sophomore linebacker Drake Spears led the pack with seven stops, including one tfl. Senior Malik Rucker picked off one Ball State pass, one of two Cardinal turnovers on the day. WMU played turnover-less football and top the loop in turnover margin (plus-5).
● Asantay Brown owns 38 tackles, including three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
● Western Michigan is fourth in scoring (MAC) defense (24.4 ppg) and third in scoring offense (37.2 ypg).
● The Broncos are second among MAC teams in rushing offense (209.0 ypg)
● WMU tops the league in Kickoff returns and is second in punt return average.
● Western is second I kickoff coverage and tied for second with Ohio in sacking opponents.
 
BUFFALO BULLS (3-2, 1-0 MAC)
● Defense has been the Bulls friend as UB is second among MAC teams in scoring defense (18.4 ppg).  UB is fifth in total defense (365.2 ypg).
● Buffalo ranks seventh in scoring offense (23.6 ppg).
● The Bulls are ninth in turnover margin (minus-1).
● Sophomore Emmanual Reed (5-8, 190) has found his stride. After totaling seven carries for 13 yards over the first two games, he has logged at least 22 rushing and eclipsed the century mark in each game of Buffalo’s three-game win streak. His performance at Kent State Saturday included career highs in carries -- 33, yards – 144, and touchdowns (3). He is currently fourth among MAC ball carriers.
● UB won last week despite getting outgained 444-377 overall, along with KSU holding a 24-18 edge in first downs.
● Buffalo averaged 5.3 ypc rushing against Kent State, which finished at 3.1 ypc). The Flashes also hurt themselves with 10 penalties for 99 yards.
● Sophomore quarterback Tyree Jackson has completed 55.4 percent of his passes (51 of 92), totaling 733 yards with three TDs and one interceptions. He is fifth (MAC) in pass efficiency. Jackson is a very capable runner and ranks fourth among MAC players in total offense.
● Anthony Johnson’s 87.2 ypg is third among MAC receivers.
● Khalil Hodge tops all MAC players, averaging 12.8 tackles per game. ● Buffalo is third in pass defense efficiency and first in pass defense (156.4 ypg).  However, the Bulls are ninth in rushing defense (208.8) and will face a very strong rushing attack with the Broncos. 


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