First Place Bulls Take On Second Place Miami On The Road

Bulls hope that success at home will continue on the road

Mike Newton

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo Bulls are headed into a challenging game against Miami (Ohio) for their first MAC road game since the loss at Ball State. Their winning streak at home has lasted for the past three games, and the Bulls and their fans are hoping that their success carries on the road.

Head Coach Turner Gill commented, “When you win at home, it gives you confidence when you get on the road. We always talk about not letting outside factors distract you.”

The Bulls are coming off a win at home against Akron and look to mark their first win against Miami since joining the Mid American Conference. “Miami is a very talented team,” said Gill, “They’re one of the top defenses in the conference; no doubt it will be a challenging opponent for us to be able to move the ball and put points on the board. But we feel good about what we can do.”

During the press conference this week, Gill gave a special thanks to the Bulls fans; “I want to thank the student body. They’ve been coming out here before our football games, waiting for us as we come off the bus, and they did a great job cheering for us there in the stands. We appreciate them being involved in the program and supporting us.”

The support of the fans has been a key to firing up the team at home, and the positives coming out of the game are simply outstanding. Sophomore safety Mike Newton (Pasadena, MD/Calvert Hall) recorded his fourth interception of the season to earn MAC East Defensive Player of the Week honors. He became the seventh Bull to earn MAC Player of the Week honors, the most in a season for UB since joining the MAC.

While the Bulls are hoping that all their success leads down the road to a MAC championship game, their singular focus this week is the Miami game. “It would be a great feeling to win the MAC, but we just have to worry about these games, and hopefully if we just continue doing what we’ve been doing we can make it to the championship,” said junior wide receiver Ernest Jackson (Rochester, NY/Gates-Chili).

The most exciting thing for the team, said Coach Gill, is “that people are recognizing our program, and our University, in Division I; I want us to get out there so people know who we are, what we are, and where we’re going.”

True freshman have been making a difference in the secondary for the team thus far in the season. Domonic Cook (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph’s), Davonte Shannon (Jeannette, PA Jeannette), and Josh Thomas (Cedar Hill, TX Cedar Hill) have given the team the best of their talents. “The biggest thing we saw in them is that they are competitors,” said Gill. “You have to be ready to come back and play the next play, and they do that.”

UB’s defense is also doing a standup job to keep the game rolling. While you don’t see them in the stats, Gill mentioned both Ronald Hilaire (Laval, Quebec/Vieux), who he said is “making some plays and causing some havoc in there for the offensive guards and tackles,” and Dane Robinson (Baltimore, MD/Calvert Hall). “They’re doing some good things; a lot of times they may not get the sacks, but they’re pressuring. The guys up front are causing things to happen.”

For the guys in general, Gill spoke about the active nature of the team. “We could never be passive. You have to attack. You have to be competitive. You have to be competing in every single football play no matter where you’re at and what you’re doing. You got to be the cause of the turnover.”

The special teams is no stranger to active playing either; most recently senior punter Ben Woods (Hermitage, PA/Hickory) was named a top ten finalist for the Ray Guy award, which recognizes the most outstanding punter in the nation.

The team’s plan for Miami includes focus and passion; “We used the word “passion” and intensity this week; we have to have a passion for the game of football; we have got to have a passion for our teammates; we have to have a passion for the coaching staff; and we have to have a passion for our University.”

“Alignment, assignment, effort, and execution,” said Coach Gill. “Those are the things you can control. If you do those four things, you have a great opportunity to win that football game.”

Buffalo fans can listen along as the Bulls take on the RedHawks for the conference lead. The game will be broadcast on WGR-550AM, the home of the Bulls, and on WHTK-1280AM in Rochester. Kickoff is set for 3:00pm.

Game Preview Written by Lindsay Beckinghausen.

11/02/2007