The UB Bulls(4-5, 2-3) football team has had a roller coaster of a 2021 season thus far that will continue tonight against the Miami(OH) Redhawks(4-5, 3-2). The Bulls football team had record setting performances against Wagner and Akron while also passing up chances to win key games.
In a must win game against Bowling Green, Buffalo allowed BG to score four touchdowns before finding the endzone once. They then went on a run in the second half, however the defense could not come up with key stops when they needed it most.
That seems to be the calling card of the UB football team this season as they continue to create adversity to overcome themselves. Whether it is untimely penalties, spotting inferior teams leads, or missing tackles, this Bulls team continues to cause their fans headaches. In what feels like a must-win to remain bowl eligible, UB prepares to travel to take on the Redhawks in Oxford, Ohio.
Last Time Out
The Bulls got an extra few days off to digest their 56-44 loss to Bowling Green and to hopefully get healthy. Key players are dinged up all over including running back Kevin Marks, defensive ends Taylor Riggins and Max Michel, and quarterback Kyle Vantrease.
The aforementioned Vantrease went down with an injury early against BGSU which forced Matt Myers into action. Myers finished the game 12-of-24 for 239 yards with one passing and two rushing touchdowns. That however was too little, too late as the Bulls fell short coming back from the 28-10 halftime deficit.
UB has fallen into early holes as they have been outscored 49-3 in the first quarter of their last four games. Then it seems the team wakes up and makes the needed adjustments at halftime. In those same four games, UB has outscored their opponents 67-3 in the third quarter. Unfortunately for them, that deficit has been too large to overcome in two important games.
Miami(OH) also finds themselves coming off a tough conference loss after losing 35-33 at Ohio last Tuesday. The Redhawks also spotted their opponents early and ultimately stalled out in their comeback. Quarterback Brett Gabbert put up a valiant effort with 492 yards and five touchdowns through the air, but fell short due to a missed extra point and blocked field goal.
Last time UB played Miami(OH)
The UB Bulls dominated Miami(OH) last season at Alumni Stadium. In both team’s second games of the season, UB dismantled the Redhawks by a score of 42-10. After a 14-7 first half, UB scored 28-straight points in the second half to seal the game.
Quarterback Kyle Vantrease had the best game of his career has he threw for 353 yards on 17-of-27 passes along with four touchdowns. Vantrease found now transferred Trevor Wilson for a 78-yard bomb and now graduated Antonio Nunn for an 82-yard score.
The Bulls added 205 yards on the ground including 109 from Kevin Marks. The Redhawks had no answer to stop UB’s offense all night and could not figure out how to move the ball offensively. Miami(OH) was outgained 558 to 258 total yards.
Miami(OH) leads UB in the all-time series 15-8. UB is just 3-8 at Yager Stadium since joining the MAC in 1999.
Sack Attack
The UB defense has shown it is still prone to the big play, but that does not stop them from getting after the quarterback. Buffalo’s 29 sacks is first in the MAC and ranks 7th in the country. The pass rush has kept UB in games all season.
In the Bulls’ dominating 45-10 win over Akron, their defense combined for 11 sacks including 3.5 from Kyler Laing. The sophomore was not on the opening day depth chart, but has played his way into the team lead with 4.5 sacks. Injuries along the defensive line to key pieces like Taylor Riggins and Max Michel have not slowed the team down as sophomores Laing, C.J. Bazile and George Wolo have stepped up into key roles.
Feed McDuffie
Junior running back and Sweet Home alum Dylan McDuffie entered the season third on the depth charts, but has excelled in his opportunities. McDuffie impressed early against Wagner and continued to demand more carries as he is averaging 5.5 yards per rush on the year.
After senior Kevin Marks went down with injury, McDuffie stepped up as the No. 1 back. In each of his three games as the leading carrier, McDuffie has surpassed 100 yards on the ground and has five rushing touchdowns in that span. McDuffie currently leads the Bulls with 766 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. It’s clear that the Bulls trust McDuffie and he has become an integral part of this offense.
Moral of the story: feed McDuffie. It should open up play action for the likely signal caller Matt Myers who is making his first start since 2019.
Rankings
| Team Statistics | UB | Miami(OH) |
| Points per game | 33.0(30th) | 24.8(90th) |
| Points allowed per game | 29.0(86th) | 23.67(54th) |
| Rushing yards per game | 206.2(23rd) | 137.6(89th) |
| Passing yards per game | 218.9(82nd) | 267.7(33rd) |
| Total offense | 425.1(51st) | 405.2(62nd) |
| 3rd down pct | 46.0(22nd) | 39.8(T-67th) |
| Rushing yards allowed per game | 199.6(113th) | 137.3(50th) |
| Passing yards allowed per game | 214.4(46th) | 219.6(49th) |
| Total defense | 414.0(92nd) | 356.9(50th) |
| Opposing 3rd down pct | 39.3(73rd) | 37.4(53rd) |
Bundt’s UB-Miami(OH) Preview
Degenerate Danger Zone
Miami(OH) -7.5
Over/Under 57
Tune In
When:
Tuesday November 9th at 7 P.M.
Yager Stadium
Oxford, OH
TV:
ESPNU
Radio:
Buffalo: ESPN 1520 (1520 AM)
Rochester: 1280 AM
Be sure to follow @BulletPoints716 for more UB coverage including our game preview podcast LIVE later previewing football and women’s basketball!