Previews, Predictions and Game Thread: Game #9 @ Buffalo (1pm Kickoff)

[catdaddyp]

2024 Rewind:

Buffalo was somewhat of a surprise team in the MAC. Newly hired head coach Pete Lembo made few roster changes to the squad he inherited from Maurice Linguist and still managed to rack up a 9-4 record—mostly due to instilling discipline into a team that rarely turned the ball over on offense and consistently created takeaways on defense.

 

 

Recruiting under Lembo:

2024:

On3 - 9th

247 - 10th

 

2025:

On3 - 6th

247 - 5th

 

 

Bulls on Offense:

Kansas State transfer Ta’Quan Roberson will replace CJ Ogbonna at quarterback. Statistically, Roberson’s 2023 season at UConn was a bit below what Ogbonna produced last year. Not much was expected from Ogbonna heading into 2024, so we’ll see if the Bulls’ staff can work their same magic with Roberson.

 

Al-Jay Henderson is back after racking up 1,078 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2024. Buffalo has an embarrassment of riches at the position, with Lamar Sperling and Messiah Burch backing up Henderson.

 

The Buffalo receiving corps should be more dynamic in 2025. Victor Snow returns after an all-conference campaign, and Nik McMillan—who was potentially in line for a breakout year—also comes back after a season-ending injury. To top it off, the Bulls added a former ZipsNation topic of discussion in reciever Jasaiah Gathings. Tight end will feature a few new faces, although the position typically isn’t utilized much in the passing game.

 

Buffalo’s offensive line wasn’t elite by any stretch, but they did enough to allow the offense to operate effectively. Tyler Doty and Trevor Brock will resume their roles at guard, with Henry Tabansi back at one of the tackle spots. Long Island transfer Jake Timm is expected to take over at center, while career backup James Carrington is slated to claim the other tackle spot.

 

 

Bulls on Defense:

Buffalo returns two of their four starters along the defensive line in Cornell Evans and Second Team All-MAC edge Kobe Stewart. Backups Malin White and George Wolo will likely step into starting roles in 2025.

 

The Bulls easily fielded the best linebacker trio in the MAC last season with Shaun Dolac, Red Murdock, and Dion Crawford. Dolac has moved on, but Murdock and Crawford return, giving Buffalo a pair of all-conference players at the position. The Bulls also added Harvard transfer Michell Gonser, who earned All-Ivy League honors in 2024.

 

Three starters return to a secondary that was often overly aggressive and, quite simply, not very good at limiting yards. That said, they were opportunistic when it came to creating turnovers. The returners are cornerbacks Charles McCartherens and Marques Cooper, along with safety Solomon Brown. Backup SaVeon Brown will likely step in at nickel, with DII transfer Miles Greer expected to round out the group at safety.

 

Jack Howes and Ethan Stumpf are expected to fill in at kicker and punter. Given the emphasis Lembo puts on special teams, it’s a safe bet the Bulls will be solid in that phase once again.

 

 

Position Advantage:

QB - Akron

RB - Buffalo

WR - Even

TE - Akron

OL - Buffalo

DL - Buffalo

LB - Buffalo

DB - Even

ST - Buffalo

 

 

Way too Early Prediction:

Pete Lembo got way more out of the 2024 offense than anyone expected. They weren’t elite talent-wise, but they rarely turned the ball over and were more disciplined than most of their opponents. The Bulls usually capitalized on their scoring opportunities as well. Despite being more talented on the offensive side of the ball in 2025, that doesn’t guarantee the same type of success—especially if the pendulum swings and turnovers start to become an issue.

 

Defensively, the Bulls should be better, but losing someone like Shaun Dolac in the middle of the defense—who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time—isn’t always an easy replacement. If Buffalo can get similar production from their front seven and the secondary takes a step forward, we may be looking at one of the better defensive units in the conference.

 

Last year, Moorhead admitted after the game that it took the staff until the third quarter to figure out the confusion Buffalo’s first-year defensive coordinator was causing the Zips’ offense. From there, the Akron offense got rolling, but it was too late—the defense already allowed a whopping 38 points. The chances of that happening again are unlikely, but this year’s game is being played in Buffalo, and the Bulls have more talent on this year’s team. I think Akron drops a fairly close one, 27-21.

 

 

Game Day Notes:

Not much has changed since the preseason outlook for Buffalo.

 

Ta’Quan Roberson has been steady at quarterback, completing 60% of his passes with 10 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. He’s also capable of making plays with his legs, adding two rushing scores and a long run of 40 yards.

 

Al-Jay Henderson has handled most of the workload at running back, totaling 477 yards and 4 touchdowns. That said, Akron native Lamar Sperling has been the more explosive option when given chances.

 

Buffalo’s strength lies in its receiving corps, led by the trio of Vic Snow, Nik McMillan, and former Zip Jasaiah Gathings. Snow is as dynamic as any receiver in the MAC — he consistently creates separation and has a knack for making the first defender miss.

 

The Bulls’ offensive line has been reliable this season. They’ve been excellent in pass protection, giving up just eight sacks all year, and have the size and athleticism to open some lanes in the run game.

 

Defensively, it’s hard to argue against Red Murdock being the best linebacker in the MAC. His running mate, Dion Crawford, has been solid as well.

 

One area where Buffalo doesn’t quite stack up is in getting after the quarterback. It’s actually one of the few spots where Akron statistically holds an advantage.

 

As one would expect from a Lembo-coached team, Buffalo features some of the better special teams play in the MAC.

 

 

Without sounding like a homer, I can’t realistically pick Akron to win this one. However, Buffalo has had trouble putting away the lower-tier teams in the MAC, with close wins over Kent (31-28), EMU (31-30), and UMass (28-21). If that trend continues and Akron can put together a performance similar to the CMU game, the Zips could very well find themselves on the right side of the scoreboard today.

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by catdaddyp

[Ham]

Has the game been canceled this week?

[exit322]

Nah, it's just with how great everything is with the Zips, it's just mostly a sidenote in the greatness of everything.  No reason to discuss it's so awesome.

[Dr Z]

Best part of the game so far, no Reghi. Feel free to turn on the audio. 🥳

 

The Zips look to snap Buffalo's seven-game win streak against them. 

Kickoff @1 pm on ESPN+ with Shawn Kenney and Ryan Cavanaugh.
 

[Captain Kangaroo]

Akron 31 Buffalo 24

 

I will go out on the mother of all limbs and predict the Zips go 3-1 to finish the season. 

[zippy5]

4 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Akron 31 Buffalo 24

 

I will go out on the mother of all limbs and predict the Zips go 3-1 to finish the season. 

Alright Captain what are we drinking tonight? I just poured a blantons

[Hilltopper]

4 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Akron 31 Buffalo 24

 

I will go out on the mother of all limbs and predict the Zips go 3-1 to finish the season. 

THAT would be high five worthy!

[Captain Kangaroo]

13 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

Alright Captain what are we drinking tonight? I just poured a blantons

Had a Great Lakes Oktoberfest in the hot tub, then moved on to a French Rose’ to go with dinner. 🤘

 

I huffed some airplane glue after lunch, but I can’t believe that caused any issues?

[exit322]

5 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Akron 31 Buffalo 24

 

I will go out on the mother of all limbs and predict the Zips go 3-1 to finish the season. 

Probably should extend everyone another eight years given this being predicted.

[catdaddyp]

Game Day Notes:

 

Not much has changed since the preseason outlook for Buffalo.

 

Ta’Quan Roberson has been steady at quarterback, completing 60% of his passes with 10 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. He’s also capable of making plays with his legs, adding two rushing scores and a long run of 40 yards.

 

Al-Jay Henderson has handled most of the workload at running back, totaling 477 yards and 4 touchdowns. That said, Akron native Lamar Sperling has been the more explosive option when given chances.

 

Buffalo’s strength lies in its receiving corps, led by the trio of Vic Snow, Nik McMillan, and former Zip Jasaiah Gathings. Snow is as dynamic as any receiver in the MAC — he consistently creates separation and has a knack for making the first defender miss.

 

The Bulls’ offensive line has been reliable this season. They’ve been excellent in pass protection, giving up just eight sacks all year, and have the size and athleticism to open some lanes in the run game.

 

Defensively, it’s hard to argue against Red Murdock being the best linebacker in the MAC. His running mate, Dion Crawford, has been solid as well.

 

One area where Buffalo doesn’t quite stack up is in getting after the quarterback. It’s actually one of the few spots where Akron statistically holds an advantage.

 

As one would expect from a Lembo-coached team, Buffalo features some of the better special teams play in the MAC.

 

 

Without sounding like a homer, I can’t realistically pick Akron to win this one. However, Buffalo has had trouble putting away the lower-tier teams in the MAC, with close wins over Kent (31-28), EMU (31-30), and UMass (28-21). If that trend continues and Akron can put together a performance similar to the CMU game, the Zips could very well find themselves on the right side of the scoreboard today.

[Ham]

As catdaddy pointed out, ANYthing can happen in the MAC.  Bulls struggling rushing the passer could lead Finley into a great game passing.  This week he will exceed 65%.

 

Zips 38 - Bulls 27

[exit322]

It's going to take a combo of Buffalo again playing down to its opposition and that patented Akron offensive genius to come away with an Akron win today.

 

Probably be helpful if Finley doesn't throw it away on fourth down again.

[1981 grad]

I have been a Zips football fan after graduating Akron many decades ago and there have been years we were so bad I could not watch our team play more than a half (Coach Arth).  Currently, we are good enough to be competitive in the MAC but almost everytime we have a chance to win something happens that pulls me back into the reality that we have a losing program that finds a way to lose games.  Last week we had the momentum of scoring and I sensed a comeback and then the lightening and the resumption of play and the kickoff return followed by the Finley interception.   When I saw the Captain's optimism that this week will finally be the week it all comes together and we get that underdog road win, I just thought of the following film clip 

 

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by 1981 grad

[Hilltopper]

3 drops already

[exit322]

2 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

3 drops already

Not a great way to sustain success.

[zipsrule]

21 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

3 drops already

And another by the punter which led to a safety.

[exit322]

Well that was a series.

[ewbrooman1]

2 minutes ago, exit322 said:

Well that was a series.

It sounded ugly on the radio. 🤨

[exit322]

1 minute ago, ewbrooman1 said:

It sounded ugly on the radio. 🤨

Sounded like Moorhead needs extended it's so awesome.

[Z.I.P.]

Both teams having fun in the punting game!  13 yd punt for UB.

[1981 grad]

Have we seen this before: 3rd and 3 from the 13 and a holding sets up back to the 23 and now a sack sets us back to the 33.  Did not anyone expect an all out blitz and Finley looks like a deer in the headlights when it comes.

[exit322]

Buffalo definitely playing down to its opponent thru 1

[Captain Kangaroo]

16 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

Have we seen this before: 3rd and 3 from the 13 and a holding sets up back to the 23 and now a sack sets us back to the 33.  Did not anyone expect an all out blitz and Finley looks like a deer in the headlights when it comes.

If I had a freight train of 6 defensive linemen sprinting unabated at me, I’d look like a deer in headlights too.

[ZippyDoo]

that was GREAT play by Somerville !  

[ZippyDoo]

very disciplined on his part ...