Peden Stadium -- Athens, OH
Ohio was the preseason pick, but finds itself two games behind a Buffalo squad that owns a perfect MAC record and has but one blemish -- a loss to Army -- on the season.
Those who love offense will probably enjoy this game as the matchup pits two outstanding offensive unit that include some of the MAC’s top performers.
➤➤ Ohio is led by quarterback Nathan Rourke. He enters week 12 of the 2018 season ranked fifth in the nation with 14.50 passing yards per completion, ninth with 9.06 passing yards per attempt and 12th with a passing efficiency rating of 163.3, with the latter being on pace to set a new single-season program record.
He has set a new career high with 19 touchdown passes this season and his 258.2 yards per game of total offense is good for 38th in the country. Rourke ranks second on the team with 653 rushing yards on 100 attempts in 2018, with his average of 65.3 rushing yards per game ranking sixth in the MAC.
➤➤ RB A.J. Ouellette is third among MAC rushers, churning out 77.7 ypg. Maleek Irons is fifth (68.1 ypg) and Rourke is fifth (65.3 ypg).
➤➤ The Bobcats lead the MAC in scoring (39.3 ppg) and total offense (453.3 ypg).
Papi White is Ohio’s top receiver with 47 catches for 750 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ohio has 20 rushing scores and 23 touchdowns through the air.
BUFFALO BULLS (9-1, 6-0 MAC)
➤➤ The Bulls are 9-1 for the first time in school history. The 6-0 MAC record is also a first.
➤➤ A win over Ohio would give the Bulls their second outright MAC East championship. The Bulls also won the East Division in 2008 and tied in 2007.
➤➤ The Bulls have won five straight road games dating back to last season.
➤➤ The Bulls have demonstrated they can excel rushing or passing on a given day. Last week against Kent State, UB turned to the ground game, piling up 358 yards on 57 attempts. Freshman Jaret Patterson earned MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors after carrying 18 times for 187 yards with two touchdowns.
➤➤ Junior quarterback Tyree Jackson is second among MAC passers with an average of 244.8 ypg through the air. He is fifth in pass efficiency.
➤➤ WR Anthon Johnson’s 77.7 ypg ranks second (MAC).