RecoveringHillbilly

Not a good night at all for favorites. UAB beats Marshall, Oregon takes down USC, and us.

Unlike Coach Quinn prior, who had a lot of turnover, Lance's coordinators stuck around. We were not a happy bunch early on in Lance's time and called for replacements, but the staff stuck together and started winning. But at this point, unlike when Oats left, I don't think most UB fans care if the entire staff departs.

So much for everything that UB had done well...not turning the ball over? Decent special teams? D that could bend but not break...what is this team we are seeing? Looks like 2018 vs Troy.

Most other UB MAC title games in sports had me nervous as it got closer to game-time. This one gives me the same feelings before the 2019 UB men's basketball title game. Yeah, respect for BGSU, but UB Men were ranked and stronger. For this one, respect for Ball State, but UB football is ranked and stronger. The BSU board is a mix of hope and others just happy to be here...kinda like how we were in 2008. Just as fans of other teams UB has played it has been "pack the box", "cause turnovers" and "UB played weak teams", it just hasn't worked against this UB team. BSU has many All MAC defenders, but so do we. JP doesn't care about your 8 in the box. The OL does not let Vantrease be touched, we don't turn the ball over, and our Special teams are actually decent for a change.

This is the type of game I could envision months, obvious exceptions being Mballa off the bench off an injury, and Brewton getting a waiver and Zachary out. Good depth, exceptional rebounding, a lead so no one played more than 30 minutes, and Skogman/Nickelberry being key bench scorers.

A few days ago I felt blah to Arizona as it was a CBSSN bowl. But now that they have switched it to a CBS broadcast, hell yeah!

2008 all had nice pro careers plus a SB ring, so hard to top that legacy. Plus the pressure of being the first to go through the dark years and come out on top. I cant think of any great offences prior. Mark Taylor/Swan/Gasparre were decent in 1AA. Feedy with Haddad hung tough in the transition without much else otherwise. If someone back in 2004 had told me they believed UB would one day have the #1 scoring offence in the nation I would have laughed in their face. We didn't have a single 1st Team All-MAC player until 2007.

Indeed! What a high mark for UB Athletics, men's and women's basketball have both finished in the Top 25, and now football has reached it and can hopefully stay there. I was worried Texas may jump up and cost us, but enough teams lost to allow 4 unranked teams to jump in.

I'm optimistic, excited for the release tomorrow!

Yep, I'm sure the team remembers we have not blown out the Zips the last 2 seasons, as we have done to other teams. Akron has nothing to lose so we have to come out cranking out big plays. Akron tried our approach today, run first pass 2nd. They ended up out-gained, only 2 long drives for TD's, but BGSU handed them short fields. Today was a fun MAC day, Western loses, Ball State is peaking.

UB women showing how it's done when missing a 2nd team preseason all-MAC player (cough cough UB men). 57-24 over JMU at the half, JMU the CAA pre-season favorites. Fair killing it with 21 points, Hanna Hall with 5 three's, McEvens not playing like a freshman.

I agree with those saying we don't have a "closer". Graves has had his moments, like Kent St last year, but sometimes he doesn't feel like 1st Team All-MAC. Or he is playing so much and so hard to make up for others, his energy This game reminded me why we were all hoping for Mballa's waiver approval last season. We get out rebounded and many 1 and done shots today, only 7 offensive rebounds, lead by Nickelberry with 2. Mballa averaged 4 per game last season. I dislike the sunshine statements from Whitesell pre-game for Towson, and the AD releases: Whitesell said Graves and Nickelberry could play point if needed, like that is optimal?! If those happen it means bad injury news....Whitesell said he was excited to see what Skogman can do...ok, then where is he? Obviously he went small today to match Army but, my gosh, we are supposed to play 8 deep now? The basketball releases say Fagan has worked on his 3..ok, cool, but where is his inside game?

Williams sits with 4 fouls, who would have thunk Gallion and Nickelberry would be giving big minutes? Graves not shooting well, Segu playing much better, Nickelberry hits a 3 (9 pts) to give us the lead.

Take the lead using Williams and Hardnett inside, several and-1's. Then Graves hits a 3! 60-54 lead out of nowhere!

Yeah wow, 1 minute to spell Segu. No other options. Graves and Segu carrying the load.

Fagan starting, I have to think Skogman has to get some time if he is healthy.

Jonah Bronstein reports Mballa will sit out with a foot injury...great.... The rotation is a mess.

Plus many out or banged up. They said earlier this week Riggins and Appri Washington may not heal enough any time soon. 2 DT out, Max Michel booted for targeting. Thank goodness our offense is healthy and blocking perfectly for JP today.

LIstening on the Tunein App here. Starters: Brock, Mballa, Williams, Graves, Segu

I think it would be close. Liberty and Coastal still play, SJSU and Nevada will meet, so that will knock off some undefeated teams. Marshall has a light schedule so they will likely stay top 25. Have to hope for more 2 loss AQ conference teams too. One bowl projection has us playing Coastal, so if that came to pass and we beat them we'd definitely finish 20-25th. I think the most votes we ever received were 9 in the 2018 Coaches Poll. In '96 we were tied with App State for 25th for one week in the 1-AA poll.

I find myself disappointed when Kadofi Wright doesn't score a TD in a game. That's the level of ridiculous play we are used to from our D. Missing multiple starters? No biggie. Bend, don't break, and some fortunate drops. Many freshman, like Logic Hudgens, getting in the last 2 games. And last night Tyree Thompson and EJ Brown showed they were quality transfers. I saw a tweet today that said when Buffalo extends an early offer, East Coast programs take note, as our staff has an eye for talent. And this staff just rebuilds the OL without much drop-off year to year. It's so nice as a fan to trust we can run and pass block, unlike a decade ago when our program couldn't even develop 2 or 3 quality linemen, at times.

Tonight for Miami, no Gabbert, AJ Meyer starting instead. Riggins, Ronald McGee, and our top CB's still out. Saw Friendy Darelus entered the Transfer Portal today as well.

Buffalo -11, o/u 52 1/2. Ohio, Miami, Kent St also favored this week.

NIU game notes are up, still an "or" between the QB's, but we know the game plan: JP, JP, Nunn catch, JP, Lefebvre catch, Marks, Marks, Nunn catch, JP TD Great to see Jake Klenk and Jovany Ruiz get their chances, and Finegan back, of course. https://ubbulls.com/documents/2020/10/30/gamenotes_niu_2020_.pdf