UB Stadium – Amherst, New York
The Buffalo Bulls are off to their best start since 1983 when they were in Division III. Although UB hit a big pothole against Army, the Bulls rebounded to win at Central Michigan 34-24. This Saturday, the Bulls return home to face Akron.
After starting the season at 2-0, UA has lost its last two games, including its MAC opener last Saturday at home against Miami.
Saturday’s game is the 18th lifetime meeting between the two teams, with the Zips holding an 11-6 advantage. Akron won last season at home 21-20. This will be the 10th game played in Western New York, where UB has won the last five and has a 5-4 edge. The Zips last win came in 2005, 13-7.
BUFFALO BULLS (5-1,2-0 MAC)
>>>> The Bulls rebounded from their first loss of the season at home to Army with a 34-24 win last Saturday at Central Michigan.
>>>> The win was UB’s first over CMU in Mount Pleasant.
>>>> Buffalo’s 5-1 start is their overall record in the MAC best since 1996
>>>> UB has won eight of its last nine games and four straight in MAC play dating back to last season.
>>>> Head Coach Lane Leipold is in his fifth season with the Bulls. He is 18 of 24 with UB (127-30 overall), 10-21 in MAC play
>>>> Offensively, the Bulls are averaging 34.7 points and 348.7 yards in their six games.
>>>> Junior QB Tyree Jackson is completing 57.6 percent of his passes (98-of-170) for 1,331 yards with 17 touchdowns (which leads the MAC and is eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision). Jackson has thrown for at least one touchdown pass in all six games.
>>>> Freshman RB Kevin Marks leads the running attack with 466 yards and seven touchdowns. His yardage gained is second in the MAC, while he is 13 among FBS players in touchdowns..
>>>> Junior WR KJ Osborn has 27 receptions for 480 yards and six touchdowns (tied for first in the MAC)
>>>> The offensive line has allowed only one sack on the season.
>>>> The UB Defense has allowed 24.3 points and 352.8 yards per contest. They have 14 sacks, eight interceptions, 24 pass breakups, six forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
>>>> Their +8 turnover margin leads the MAC, the 14 sacks is tied for second and have allowed the opposition just 35.8 percent conversion on third down second to UA
>>>> Junior LB Khalil Hodge leads with 74 total tackles (25 solo), which is tied for third in the FBS.
>>>> Senior DE Chad Harris has seven sacks, leading the conference.
>>>> Senior DB Cameron Lewis is tied for second (MAC) in interceptions with three
>>> Buffalo travels to Toledo next week to face the Rockets.
AKRON ZIPS (2-2, 0-1 MAC)
>>>> The Zips dropped their second consecutive game and their MAC opener last Saturday at the hands of Miami, 41-17.
>>>> The loss ended UA’s five-game winning streak at InfoCision Stadium and was the first MAC opener loss since 2015 (14-12 to Ohio).
>>>> In their first five games of 2018, the Zips offense has averaged 27.5 points and 328.6 yards. Akron has failed to gain 300 total yards in the last two games (including only 259 to MU).
>>>> Sophomore QB Cato Nelson has completed 54.7 percent of his passes (64-of-117) for 865 yards and seven touchdowns.
>>>> Senior RB Van Edwards Jr. leads the ground game with 189 yards on 49 carries and two touchdowns.
>>>> Sophomore WR Andre Williams has 16 receptions for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
>>>> The offensive line has allowed eight sacks (seven of them coming in the last two games – losses to Miami and at Iowa State)
>>>> The UA defense has allowed 27 points and 358 total yards.
>>>> The Zips have allowed 125.7 yards rushing which leads the MAC
>>>> Akron collected its fourth non-offensive touchdown of 2018 when senior LB Ulysses Gilbert took a recovered fumble 46 yards for the score.
>>>> Overall the Zips have four sacks, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), six forced fumbles, 16 pass breakups, and five rumble recoveries (two for scores)
>>>> Junior LB John Lako leads UA defenders with 34 total stops (20 solo)
>>>> Junior DB Alvin Davis has four interceptions which leads the MAC and is tied for first in the FBS. Two of his picks, both in the win at Northwestern, went for touchdowns.
>>>> Davis and senior LB Brian Bell are tied for third with five passes defended.
>>>> Akron leads the MAC, allowing opponents to convert just 32.3 percent of third down opportunities.
>>>> Next Saturday, the Zips make the short trip to Kent State to battle the Golden Flashes for the Wagon Wheel trophy