<!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)--------------------> <table id="inlinetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><th colspan="10" style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Buffalo at Connecticut Matchups</th> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">QB</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">RB</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">WR</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">OL</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">DL</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">LB</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">DB</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">ST</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">Coach</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" align="center" width="62">Overall</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td align="center" width="62">
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Buffalo offense vs. Connecticut defense
RB
James Starks' 1,308 rushing yards make him the second leading rusher in the MAC, and the junior became the Bulls' all-time career leading rusher in the regular-season finale. The 211-pound Starks is quick enough to turn the corner and strong enough to churn out the tough yards inside, but he will have his work cut out for him against a stingy Connecticut run defense.
The Huskies make up for their lack of size up front with quickness, and the defensive line should continue to be disruptive with DE Cody Brown, who has 15 tackles-for-loss, leading the way. In addition, MLB Greg Lloyd is expected to return to the lineup after missing the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh due to personal reasons. Lloyd and SLB Scott Lutrus have the range to help keep Starks bottled up. QB
Drew Willy has put up impressive numbers this season, throwing for 3,091 yards and 25 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. The senior can attribute a considerable amount of his success to WR
Naaman Roosevelt, who finished with 1,312 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Roosevelt has the body control to make acrobatic catches in traffic, and he played his best football down the stretch. In addition,
Ernest Jackson is an excellent No. 2 receiver. However, don't expect the Bulls to have much success moving the ball through the air either. Only seven FBS teams give up fewer passing yards per game than the Huskies, and CB Darius Butler is expected to return from an ankle injury that forced him to miss three games. Look for Butler to line up over Roosevelt in most situations, and he has the man-to-man cover skills to keep the talented receiver under wraps. In addition, Willy shouldn't have much time to survey the field. While the Bulls have struggled in pass protection, the Huskies' pass rush has racked up 27 sacks. <!---------------------IN LINE TABLE (BEGIN)--------------------> <table id="inlinetable" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="225"> <tbody><tr><th colspan="1" style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><center>Connecticut vs. Buffalo</center></th> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width="225">
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When: Jan. 3, ESPN2, noon ET
Where: Toronto, Ontario
Preview:
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Connecticut offense vs. Buffalo defense
RB
Donald Brown averages better than 28 carries per game, and he leads the FBS in rushing ypg with 151.8. He is a slippery open-field runner who possesses outstanding vision and quickness. That doesn't bode well for a Buffalo run defense that's giving up an average of 4.6 yards per carry. OC Keith Gray along with OGs Moe Petrus and Zach Hurd should control the middle of the line of scrimmage working against DTs Anel Montanez and Ronald Hilaire. Meanwhile, OTs William Beatty and Mike Hicks are capable of sealing the edge working against DEs Mike Thompson and Andrae Smith. In addition, 193-pound SS Davonte Shannon and 195-pound Mike Newton can get engulfed when they line up close to the line of scrimmage, so the Bulls aren't in a position to consistently load up against the run. The lack of a consistent passing attack to keep opposing defenses honest makes Brown's production on the ground that much more impressive. QB
Tyler Lorenzen is completing less than 50 percent of his passes, and he has thrown eight interceptions compared to just two touchdowns. In fairness to Lorenzen, he has battled injuries and the play of his receivers has been inconsistent at best. That said, there's reason to believe that Lorenzen and Co. will end the season on a high note. The Huskies' pass protection has been sound for the most part and only two FBS teams have recorded fewer sacks than the Bulls (12). With that in mind, Lorenzen should get enough time to scan the field, and his receivers should get enough time to separate from the coverage.
Special Teams
The Huskies replaced PK Tony Ciaravino, who has connected on nine of his 15 field goal attempts, with Dave Teggart earlier this year, and he's made the most of the opportunity. Teggart has connected on 12 of his 13 field-goal attempts, and he has a long of 47 yards.
In comparison, Bulls' PK A.J. Principe has two game-winning overtime field goals this year, but he's connected on just 10 of his 15 field-goal attempts and he has a long of just 40 yards. Don't be surprised to see Buffalo special teams coordinator Aaron Stamn stack the line of scrimmage and get after Connecticut PT Desi Cullen. Why? The Huskies have had six punts blocked, including two that were returned for touchdowns.
Prospects to watch
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RB James Starks -- Starks lacks prototypical elusiveness, but he has the burst to turn the corner and he runs hard between the tackles.
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QB Drew Willy -- Willy is an effective game manager who is tall enough to scan the field from within the pocket and puts excellent touch on his short-to-intermediate passes. •
WR Ernest Jackson -- Jackson has above-average size, and he does a nice job of shielding defenders from the ball.
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CB Darius Butler -- Butler is a playmaker who has excellent instincts and isn't afraid to jump underneath routes. He's also fast and fluid enough to turn and run with receivers in man coverage.
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DE Cody Brown -- At 248 pounds, Brown's lack of size is an issue, but he's a disruptive run defender and he shows above-average closing speed when rushing the passer. •
LOT William Beatty -- Beatty is a powerful drive blocker who plays with a wide base and drives his legs once in position. He's also a reliable pass blocker who gets set quickly and does an adequate job of shuffling his feet.
Scouts' Edge
The Bulls have momentum on their side. While they won the MAC conference with an upset over then-BCS buster-hopeful Ball State, Connecticut has lost five of its last seven games. That said, the edge in momentum won't be enough for Buffalo to overcome its inability to win the battles in the trenches.
The Huskies' front four will help slow the Buffalo ground game and get to Willy when he drops back to pass. On the flipside, look for Connecticut's offensive line to open up plenty of holes for Brown and give Lorenzen ample time to find the open man downfield. It all adds up to a comfortable win for Connecticut.
Prediction: Huskies 31, Bulls 17
idnt Buffalo as in the Bills play in Toronto? If so those players said the crowd was a joke and I bet Buffalo thinking home field edge as well that day . 
