Week 11: Miami (OH) at Buffalo

Ever since the University at Buffalo decided to rejoin the ranks of Division I football and become a member of the MAC, the Bulls have been on a journey — a marathon march. Out there somewhere, over the horizon, was respectability.

It took a long time to get there, but when the Bulls grabbed a piece of the East Division title last year, they officially arrived as a legitimate contender and an opponent to be feared in the MAC. This week, Buffalo gets to show off that status on a national stage when it hosts Miami in the only election night game in the country, and the first nationally-televised game in UB Stadium’s history.

The sub-plot is one that has the Bulls deeply in the mix for a potential shot at another divisional crown. Buffalo is 2-2 in the MAC, and tied for first place with Akron. A win over Miami would push the Bulls over the .500 mark for the first time in November in its 10 years in the Division I-A ranks, and would move them one win closer to the school's first bowl bid since the 1958 team 50 years ago.

The Bulls come in riding a huge wave of momentum, after pounding out a 32-19 win over Ohio on the road last week. In their third season under head coach Turner Gill, the Bulls seem to have found out how to win the tough ones. If they get junior tailback James Starks rolling, it could be a long evening for the RedHawks, since the Buffalo defense has proven it can uphold its share of the deal.

Miami is staggering to the finish line this season after losing four of its last five games. The RedHawks have won 11 straight games against Buffalo, but they appear to be headed in the opposite direction than the Bulls. One of the MAC’s more tradition-rich programs, Miami has been uncharacteristically mired in the doldrums for several seasons.

In a sure sign that coach Shane Montgomery and his staff are already working on next year, Miami will start redshirt freshman Clay Belton at quarterback for the third time, and rely on freshman J.R. Taylor to sustain the running game.

The RedHawks got whacked by Kent State the last time out, and a lot of the damage was self-inflicted since Miami had six turnovers in the game.

Notes:

Miami punter Jake Richardson ranks third in the nation with a 46.8 yards per punt average, and is less than half a yard behind the leader in average distance.

Buffalo’s recipe for success at Ohio— the Bulls rushed for a season-high 277 yards and forced five turnovers.

In its stunning home loss to Kent State, Miami committed six turnovers — two interceptions and four fumbles. Miami's single-game record for most turnovers lost is eight, against Toledo in 1959.

Buffalo returned an Ohio blocked extra point for a defensive two-point conversion last week, making it the Bulls’ first defensive two-point conversion since the 1995 season when Eric Lee returned a two-point conversion 102 yards against Boston University.

Key Player (RedHawks) — Nate Parseghian, PK

The RedHawks are relatively certain that if they can keep this one close, they have a decent shot at upending Buffalo. The difference could be Parseghian, a senior who had a pair of field goals in a recent win over Bowling Green.

Key Player (Bulls) — Brandon Thermilus, RB

The Bulls were able to seize the momentum late in the game at Ohio by marching 71 yards for a score, and a 39-yard run by the sophomore Thermilus was critical in that drive. He gives the Bulls depth at tailback, with 73 yards on just 10 carries in the win over the Bobcats.

Buffalo by 12