The Buffalo Bulls (1-9, 1-5 Mid-American Conference) are looking to get back on the winning track this Saturday after last week's setback against Toledo, in which they lost 56-29. That won't be easy, as they face their toughest game to date when they host the No.23 ranked Northern Illinois Huskies (8-1, 4-1 MAC).
UB is looking to win two consecutive home games for the first time since 1998, when they defeated Morgan St. and Canisius. Meanwhile, the Huskies are working on a magical season, as they have defeated three Bowl Championship Series conference teams and scored the highest non-BCS debut in the BCS rankings since the series started.
NIU is battling Bowling Green and Toledo, who are also 4-1 in the MAC, for the MAC West crown and a bowl bid. They are coming off a 48-23 crushing of the Ball State Cardinals and look to put together another winning streak to end the season.
"We know what we have to do," stated head coach Joe Novak in a press release. "We have to keep winning to keep those preseason goals in mind."
The Huskies showed great heart last week, bouncing back from a tough defeat against Bowling Green that dashed any hope of a BCS bowl game.
There have been comparisons between the current UB rebuilding process and the one Northern Illinois went through in the 96-98 seasons.
"I really do see some similarities (between Buffalo and the rebuilding process we went through)," said Novak during Monday's MAC teleconference. "I'm not just saying this because you are supposed to. I've got a lot of respect for Coach Hofher."
This will be a big test for Buffalo because this is the second straight week in which they are facing an extremely tough opponent.
Offense
The Huskies are coming off one of their strongest performances of the season, against Ball State. They scored a season high 48 points, and tallied 252 rushing yards, all thanks to the duo of A.J. Harris and Heisman Trophy Candidate Michael Turner.
Turner averages about 127 yards a game, fourth best in the nation. Because of Turner and that strong ground game, NIU has one of the best numbers in terms of red zone efficiency, scoring points in every trip to the red zone (23 touchdowns, 11 field goals).
For the Bulls to have any kind of success, they must find ways to minimize any damage that Turner might do.
Josh Haldi, a junior from Madison, Ohio, leads the Huskies at quarterback. Haldi is coming off a four-touchdown game (two rushing, and two passing) where he went 13-for-18 with 181 yards. He has also shown skill at game management, as he is ranked No. 21 in the nation in pass-efficiency with a 145.5 rating.
Even though the Huskies and their quarterback are only ranked at 60th in the nation in passing, Haldi is having a career year. His 2003 stats rank him No. 1 for the Huskies in single season TD strikes with 18, and No. 2 in NIU pass completions (155) since 1969.
P.J. Fleck leads the Huskies at wide receiver. He has 65 receptions this year with 748 yards and five touchdowns, along with three 100 yard receiving games, among them a huge game earlier in the season against Ohio. In that game he made 14 receptions for 234 yards and one touchdown.
Fleck can break out at any time and have a dominant game, so the Buffalo defense will still have to be wary if NIU looks to give Turner some rest and go to the air attack.
Defense
Northern Illinois' defense is not going to be confused with that of the '85 Chicago Bears defense, but they will still be able to win their team a game if necessary. They are ranked 65th in total defense, but are much better at stopping the run than the pass, coming in at 53rd in rush defense as opposed to 80th in pass defense. UB will have to open up the passing game more to expose their defense.
The Huskies defensive line is led by Vinson Reynolds, who tops the team with six sacks and 13 tackles for loss of yards. The secondary is lead by Randee Drew who leads the team with five interceptions and 15 pass deflections.
Linebacker Brian Atkinson is the heart of the defensive unit, as he is second on the team with 54 tackles along with eight tackles for a loss. His partner in crime at linebacker, Nick Duffy, is not too shabby either, recording 46 tackles on the season.
The pass rush will come from all directions as they have players all across the line with sacks, totaling 23 on the season.
Summary
The Huskies cannot overlook UB, with a huge game looming the following week against Toledo, one that could very well decide the MAC West crown.
Overall, NIU is probably the best team in the MAC, and Buffalo will have to play to the level they have been playing at the past three weeks if they hope to contend.
The Huskies' two-headed monster of Harris and Turner will try to have their second game in a row where they both run for 100 yards. If Buffalo can stop those two, they will stay in the game. This will be the Bulls' toughest game of the year and they will need a full effort to pull off the upset; but this is UB's final home game of the season and hopefully that can work in their favor, to play all out and end the home season on the highest of notes.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
