BUFFALO, NY - In the wake of a 26-17 victory over Ohio University on Saturday, a pair of University at Buffalo football players were honored by the Mid-American Conference on Monday.

Senior free safety Mark Graham (Monroe, MI/Monroe) and senior kicker Dallas Pelz (Holland, NY/St. Francis) earned the MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively, for their efforts in ending the Bulls' 18-game losing streak.

Mark Graham scoops up a fumble vs. Ohio

Graham, who leads Buffalo in four defensive categories on the season, had a career-best 15 tackles (10 solo), three tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, a pass breakup, a half-sack and a quarterback hurry vs. Ohio. UB overcame a 14-0 deficit to capture the victory. Graham's fumble recovery in Bulls' territory came in the second quarter with UB trailing 14-7.

The senior, who is already Buffalo's career leader in passes defended with 37 (12 interceptions and 25 pass breakups) moved up to ninth in total career tackles with 290. Graham leads the Bulls in total tackles (78), solo tackles (52), tackles for loss (6¹/₂), sacks (3) and fumble recoveries (3) for the season. In addition, he currently ranks third in career solo tackles with 177 in his brilliant career.

Pelz, meanwhile, was honored for the second time in his career with MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. The senior converted four field goals in the second half to help the Bulls overcome a 14-7 halftime deficit. Pelz matched a career high with his four field goals, and his three fourth-quarter field goals (33, 34 and 24 yards) broke a 17-17 tie and provided the margin of victory.

Pelz had previously taken the honor in November of 2001 when his four field goals helped

Dallas Pelz

the Bulls defeat Army on the road. The senior also tied Gerald Carlson's school record of 28 field goals on Saturday and his 14 points scored were also a career best. He ranks ninth all-time in scoring with 121 points in his career.

The Bulls travel to Toledo on Saturday to take on the two-time defending MAC West Division champion Rockets at 7 pm in the Glass Bowl.