Campus Watch

Cuse breaks into Top 25

Syracuse, led by Paul Harris and Jonny Flynn, went from unranked to No. 16 in the AP poll and No. 20 in the ESPN rankings after impressive wins over Florida and Kansas at the CBE Classic in Kansas City last week. They also beat Virginia last week at home.

Syracuse is one of eight Big East teams in the AP poll. Connecticut, which plays at UB on Thursday, is ranked second behind No. 1 North Carolina. Speaking of UConn, ESPN's Andy Katz writes about Huskies center Hasheem Thabeet, who has the NBA scouts drooling.

---Rodney McKissic

Jackson questionable for Ball State

Senior wide receiver Ernest Jackson is listed as questionable for Friday night's Mid-American Conference Championship Game against Ball State. Jackson, the Bulls second-leading receiver with 43 receptions for 490 yards and four touchdowns, injured his foot during the second half of last Friday's loss against Kent State. Jackson, who didn't return to the game, was seen walking on crutches after the game.

---The Bulls are early 14-point underdogs against Ball State, who is 9-2 vs. the spread (they opened the season vs. Division I-AA Northeastern which was off the board).

---Rodney McKissic

St. Bonaventure-Canisius game thread

Final - Griffs erase a five-point deficit in 32 seconds and Julius Coles drains the winning three-pointer to lift Canisius to a stunning victory over the rival Bonnies.

Halftime - Bona reserve junior forward Maurice Thomas, who scored a grand total of 20 points in his first five games this season, has 19 first-half points as the Griffs lead 36-35 at the half. Sophomore guard Elton Frazier leads the Griffs with 11 points.

Starting lineups - Because Canisius is wearing its alternate gold uniforms, junior guard Frank Turner is wearing No. 1 instead of No. 2.

St. Bonaventure (3-2)
F - D'Lancy Carter
F- Andrew Nicholson
G - Jonathan Hall
G - Chris Matthews
G - Malcolm Eleby

Canisius (1-3)
F - Rishawn Johnson
F - Chris Gadley
G - Frank Turner
G - Robert Goldsberry
G - Elton Frazier

---Rodney McKissic

Jackson injury update

Senior receiver Ernest Jackson injured his foot during Friday's loss to Kent State and was seen walking on crutches after the game. But UB coach Turner Gill said Jackson should be available for next Friday's game against Ball State for the Mid-American Conference Championship.

---Rodney McKissic

Kent State 24, UB 21 - Final

UB's five-game winning streak came to an end after Kent State’s Eugene Jarvis and Julian Edelman combined for 317 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

UB, who had who the last three meetings against Kent State, fell to 7-5 overall and 5-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes ended their season at 4-8 overall and 2-5 in league play.

UB was driving when junior receiver Brett Hamlin fumbled in the end zone with 1:46 left in the game and Kent State leading by three. The Golden Flashes ran out the clock to win the game.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 10, Kent State 7 - End of the third quarter

James Starks' 3-yard run with just over two minutes left in the third quarter put the Bulls ahead. The offense was lackluster until the Bulls put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by Starks TD run. Then with nine seconds left, Kent State tried a fake punt and fumbled out of bounds, giving the Bulls 1st and 10 from the Golden Flashes' 30.

---Rodney McKissic

Kent State 10, UB 7 - Halftime

Kent State's Nate Reed kicked a 40-yard field goal just before halftime to give the Golden Flashes a 10-7 lead. Tailback Eugene Jarvis has 124 yards rushing a one touchdown.

---Rodney McKissic

Report: Tennessee hires Kiffin

You can scratch Lane Kiffin off Syracuse's wish list after Tennessee hired the former Oakland Raiders' coach. Kiffin was 5-15 in a year and a half with the Oakland Raiders before being fired earlier this season by team owner Al Davis.

Speaking of coaches searches, Stewart Mandel of SI.com breaks down what really goes on during the process.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 7, Kent State 7 - End of first quarter

The Bulls are tied with Kent State after one quarter. James Starks' 55-yard run set up the Bulls' first TD, a 1-yard plunge by quarterback Drew Willy. But the Bulls defense has already allowed 85 yards and a TD to tailback Eugene Jarvis.

---Rodney McKissic

Report: Locksley interviews at Syracuse

Rivals.com is reporting that Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, one of the top young assistants in the game, interviewed for the vacant Syracuse coaching job on Wednesday.

Locksley is a strong recruiter who helped the Illini tap into his native Washington, D.C.. He has lured the likes of receiver Arrelious Benn, cornerback Vontae Davis and quarterback Juice Williams - among others - to Illinois.

---Rodney McKissic

Just checking in

---Here's my story about job opportunities for Turner Gill and the glass ceiling that remains for minority coaches.

---The South Bend Tribune checks in with UB tight end Kyle Brey, the son of Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey.

I hope everyone has a good and relaxing Thanksgiving.

---Rodney McKissic

Tabb helps Central Florida CC rebuild

Central Florida Community College won the Mid-Florida Conference championship, took their third-straight trip to the state tournament but doesn't have a single player returning from last season. So newcomers like former Niagara Falls guard Rahshon Tabb are part of the rebuilding process.

---Rodney McKissic

Weis' buyout not a hurdle to firing

Really interesting news from the Golden Dome today that Charlies Weis' buyout may not be as big as everyone thinks. I've read reports its as high as $20 million but it appears to be much lower. If that's the case, and the Irish get hammered by USC Saturday (they are 32-point underdogs) there could be another high-profile job opening next week.

---Rodney McKissic

It's Ball State

UB will play Ball State in the MAC Championship Game on Dec. 5 in Detroit after the Cardinals won the West Division and finished with a perfect 12-0 record following their 45-22 victory Tuesday over Western Michigan. The last MAC team to enter the conference title game unbeaten was Marshall in 1999.

---Rodney McKissic

Bulls huge favorites vs. Kent State

--- UB, who has won its last three games over Kent State, is a 131/2-point favorite over the Golden Flashes for the Black Friday game at UB Stadium. The Bulls are 8-3 vs. the spread this season and have covered the last four games in a row.

---When Kansas State turned back the clock and re-hired Bill Snyder as its football coach, it prevented a potential coaching domino effect that could have landed on UB and Turner Gill. KState wasn't seriously considering Gill but TCU's Gary Patterson was mentioned as a candidate and its likely the Horned Frogs would have taken a long look at Gill, a native of Fort Worth.

---Rodney McKissic

Upsets rock AP women's poll

This week in the AP women's poll ... lots of upsets to kick off the holiday season.

Other than UConn being the No. 1 team in the country, nothing else is certain, though I did move North Carolina up to No. 2 in my poll.

And I still believe that Syracuse, Michigan State and Marist are Top-25 teams at the moment.

1. UConn

2. North Carolina

3. Oklahoma

4. Cal

5. Stanford

6. Baylor

7. Louisville

8. Texas A&M

9. Maryland

10. Texas

11. Rutgers

12. Tennessee

13. Duke

14. Virginia

15. Oklahoma State

16. Auburn

17. Ohio State

18. Vanderbilt

19. Arizona State

20. Notre Dame

21. Purdue

22. Syracuse

23. Marist

24. Michigan State

25. Xavier

--- Amy Moritz

Beilein ball strikes again

Old friend John Beilein is creating a buzz again as Michigan stunned No. 4 UCLA, 55-52, Thursday night in the semifinals of the 2K Classic in Madison Square Garden. The Wolverines meet Duke in tonight's final (7:30, ESPN2).

Beilein really got things going in his second year at both Canisius and West Virginia. Might he follow a similar path at Michigan? It would be great news for a school bummed about its football program. Check out a terrific Beilein/Michigan column on the upset from ESPN's Andy Katz.

---Mike Harrington

Prince out at Kansas State

Now that Ron Prince has been fired at Kansas State, Turner Gill figures to be one of the second-tier candidates to replace him.

Some of the names already thrown out there include former KState coach Bill Synder, TCU’s Gary Patterson and former Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione. Kansas State athletic director Bob Krause said he’d like to hire someone with head coaching experience and that could include Gill, the former Nebraska player and assistant coach who as one source told me, "knows the lay of the land," in the Big 12.

---Rodney McKissic

UB, Akron for first place

UB had sole possession of first place for about 24 hours. Akron pulled into a tie for first in the MAC's East Division after beating Toledo on Wednesday night.

The two teams meet next Thursday in the final Zips' game at the Rubber Bowl, with the winner taking a one-game lead in the division with two games remaining.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 27, Miami 17 - End of the third quarter

The Bulls are 15 minutes away from taking over sole possession of first place in the MAC's East Division and take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 21, Miami 10 - Halftime

Drew Willy has 187 yards and two TDs, and Naaman Roosvelt has five receptions for 111 yards as UB took a 21-10 halftime lead.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 14, Miami 3 - End of the first quarter

Naaman Roosevelt has four reception for 95 yards and a touchdown as UB has a 14-3 lead after the first quarter.

---Rodney McKissic

Hamlin ready to go

Junior receiver Brett Hamlin will play in tonight's game against but cornerback Josh Thomas (concussion) and defensive tackle Dane Robinson (broken thumb) are out for the game. Thomas was replaced in the lineup by junior Kendric Hawkins and Robinson by Richie Smith.

Hamlin had been hampered by an ankle injury.

---Rodney McKissic

Hamlin upgraded to probable

Junior receiver Brett Hamlin has been upgraded to probable, but sophomore cornerback Josh Thomas is now doubtful for UB's game Tuesday against Miami (Ohio), Bulls coach Turner Gill said on the MAC coaches conference call this morning.

If Thomas can't play, either junior Kendric Hawkins or sophomore Sherrod Lott will start in his place. Hamlin suffered an ankle injury during last Tuesday's win at Ohio University, while Thomas suffered a slight concussion in the first half and was held out for the rest of the game.

---Rodney McKissic

Rubin Pontiac Game Changing Performer

Penn State safety Mark Rubin’s forced fumble in the fourth quarter of the Nittany Lions’ 13-6 win at No. 10 Ohio State earned 53 percent of the votes among the four plays that were nominated for this week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance. With Rubin’s selection as the recipient of the Pontiac Game Changing Performance, Pontiac with contribute $5,000 to Penn State’s general scholarship fund.

With the Buckeyes leading, 6-3, in the fourth quarter, the former Amherst High School star hit Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor and knocked the ball loose. Senior linebacker Tyrell Sales shielded the ball from OSU’s Chris Wells and knocked it backwards, where sophomore linebacker Navorro Bowman recovered at the OSU 38. Quarterback Pat Devlin and tailback Evan Royster led the Nittany Lions downfield, with Devlin scoring on a one-yard run with 6:25 to play for a 10-6 Penn State lead.

---Rodney McKissic

Hamlin, Thomas questionable for Miami

Junior receiver Brett Hamlin and sophomore cornerback Josh Thomas are questionable for Tuesday night's game against Miami (Ohio) at UB Stadium. Hamlin suffered an ankle injury during last Tuesday's win at Ohio University, while Thomas suffered a slight concussion in the first half and was held out for the rest of the game.

---The Bulls' two deep for Miami which can be found here is pretty much identical to last week's except for a few changes on special teams. Sophomore corner Domonic Cook and redshirt freshman receiver Ed Young will return kicks and sophomore Brian Kelly, the nephew of Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, will serve as the long snapper. Kelly has been the snapper the last two games.

---I reported in the Ohio game that Cook blocked the PAT that Andrae Smith returned for a defensive two-point conversion when it was actually junior cornerback Kendric Hawkins. Sorry for the error.

---Rodney McKissic

Who's No. 1 in New York UB or SU?

Syracuse Post-Standard columnist Bud Poliquin asks the question who has the No. 1 Division I-A program in New York: UB or Syracuse?

Online Surveys & Market Research

---Rodney McKissic

North Carolina atop coaches poll

Led by All-American Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina is the preseason favorite to win it all in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Rounding out the top five are UConn, Louisville, UCLA and Duke.

The Big East boasts seven teams in the Top 25, but one of them isn't Syracuse who must replace the departed Donte Greene. Also missing from the Top 25 is Siena, a team talented enough to run the table in the MAAC and has Sweet 16 quality.

---Rodney McKissic 

UB 32, Ohio 19 - Final

James Starks rushed for a season-high 185 yards and two touchdowns and UB's defense forced five Ohio University turnovers. That helped the Bulls sprint to a big lead it never relinquished in a 32-19 victory over the Bobcats on Tuesday night, the first of five critical Mid-American Conference games to end the regular season. It was the Bulls first win at Peden Stadium since joining the MAC in 1999.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 24, Ohio 7 - End of the third

If the Bulls hold on, they will be the first Mid-American Conference East Division team to win back-to-back games this season.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 24, Ohio 7 - Halftime

Domonic Cook's interception just before halftime set up a 25-yard A.J. Principe field goal to give UB a 24-7 halftime lead. Drew Willy is 10 of 14 for 97 yards and a TD in the first half. After missing a series, James Starks returned to the game and has 72 yards on 18 carries and one TD.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 14, Ohio 0 - End of first quarter

UB scored on its opening drive, a 3-yard run by James Starks and tacked on another 3-yard TD run by Brandon Thermilus before the end of the quarter to take a 14-0 lead. The Bulls' defense turned away Ohio twice deep in UB territory, including a forced fumble by Justin Winters that was recovered in the end zone by Mike Thompson. Looks like Starks was injured after his fumble midway in the quarter. He was being worked on by trainers on the sideline and has yet to return to the game.

---Rodney McKissic

Niagara picked 4th, Canisius eighth in MAAC

Niagara returns enough talent to finish among the top half of the MAAC once again, while Canisius, who returns all five starters, is expected to make a big improvement from a year ago. Every is chasing Siena who has a team worthy of the Sweet 16. Here is the predicted order of finish:

1. Siena
2. Fairfield
3. Rider
4. Niagara
5. Loyola
6. Manhattan
7. Iona
8. Canisius
9. Saint Peter's
10. Marist

---Siena's Kenny Hasbrouck was named the preseason MAAC Player of the Year. Joining him on the all-conference team are Niagara's Tyrone Lewis and Canisius' Frank Turner. Hard to believe Griffs' sophomore Greg Logins wasn't ranked among the league's top 15 players. Here's the list:

First Team
Jonathan Han, Fairfield
Ryan Thompson, Rider
Alex Franklin, Siena
Kenny Hasbrouck, Siena
Edwin Ubiles, Siena

Second Team
Anthony Johnson, Fairfield
Gary Springer, Iona
Brian Rudolph, Loyola
Antoine Pearson, Manhattan
Tyrone Lewis, Niagara
Harris Mansell, Rider

Third Team
Frank Turner, Canisius
Marquis Sullivan, Loyola
Devon Austin, Manhattan
David Devezin, Marist
Wesley Jenkins, Saint Peter's

Preseason Player of the Year: Hasbrouck

---Rodney McKissic

Bona picked last in A-10

As expected, St. Bonaventure was picked to finish in the cellar in the Atlantic 10 as the media and coaches are convinced that Mark Schmidt's new recruits will translate into wins immediately. Here's my prediction: Bona will surprise and finish in the middle of the pack. Here's the predicted order of finish:

1. Xavier (44)
2. Temple (12)
3. Dayton (3)
4. Saint Joseph’s
5. Charlotte (2)
6. Massachusetts
7. Saint Louis
8. Richmond
9. Rhode Island
10. La Salle
11. George Washington
12. Duquesne
13. Fordham
14. St. Bonaventure

Bona was also shutout for the preseason all-conference team which is listed below:

First team
Derrick Brown, Xavier
Dionte Christmas, Temple
Kevin Lisch, Saint Louis
Chris Lowe, Massachusetts
Ahmad Nivins, Saint Joseph’s

Second-Team
Rob Diggs, George Washington
Ricky Harris, Massachusetts
Tommie Liddell, Saint Louis
Lamont Mack, Charlotte
Chris Wright, Dayton

Third-Team
C.J. Anderson, Xavier
Kevin Anderson, Richmond
Jimmy Baron, Rhode Island
Rodney Green, La Salle
David Gonzalvez, Richmond

Rookie Team
Melquan Bolding, Duquesne
Kenny Frease, Xavier
Terrell Holloway, Xavier
Mark Lyons, Xavier
Paul Williams, Dayton

Defensive Team
Lavoy Allen, Temple
Derrick Brown, Xavier
Kevin Lisch, Saint Louis
Chris Lowe, Massachusetts
Garrett Williamson, Saint Joseph’s

---Rodney McKissic

Rubin named Big Ten Player of the Week

After recording a personal high 11 tackles and a huge forced fumble in Penn State's win last Saturday at Ohio State, former Amherst High star Mark Rubin was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week. The honor is the first for Rubin, a converted wide reciever, who becomes the seventh Nittany Lion to be recognized by the conference this season.

---Rodney McKissic

Rubin Pontiac nominee

The crucial forced fumble by Penn State safety Mark Rubin, the former Amherst High School standout, in the Nittany Lions' 13-6 win over No. 10 Ohio State on Saturday is among the nominees for this week’s Pontiac Game Changing Performance.

In addition, Rubin was selected the Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts vs. the Buckeyes. He made a career-high 11 tackles (nine solo) and led a defensive effort that limited Ohio State to its lowest point total in Ohio Stadium since a 6-0 loss to Wisconsin in 1982.

With the Buckeyes leading, 6-3, in the fourth quarter, Rubin hit Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor and knocked the ball loose and was eventually recovered by linebacker Navorro Bowman. That led to the game's lone TD, a 1-yard run by quarterback Pat Devlin.

Fans can cast their vote for the play until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday at www.ponitac.com/ncaa.

---Rodney McKissic

Starks likely to play vs. Ohio

Junior tailback James Starks, who did not play against Army because of a turf toe injury, will likely play Tuesday at Ohio.

"He's good to go unless something comes up in the next day or two,'' UB coach Turner Gill said today. "If he gets through (Sunday), he should be playing."

Starks, the Bulls leading rusher, returned to practice on Thursday and looked fine during today's drills at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse in Orchard Park. Sophomore Brandon Thermilus also recieved reps with the first team at tailback as did sophomore Ike Nduka, who moved up the depth chart after the knee injury to junior Mario Henry.

---Rodney McKissic

73 year old man playing college hoops

It's no joke. You can check out the story here how Ken Mink, a one-time entertainment and Sunday newspaper editor, is playing college basketball at Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tenn. Apparently, Mink had game back in 1956 when he balled at Lees Junior College in Jackson, Ky.

He claimed he was good for 14 points a night until he kicked off the team for soaping the basketball coach's office and for putting shaving cream in the coach's shoes. He was called to the college president's office and expelled.

Fifty-two years later, he's making a comeback.

---Rodney McKissic

Is Syracuse looking for a new coach?

The New York Times and Syracuse grad Pete Thamel, is reporting that the Orange have hired a search firm to help find a replacement for Greg Robinson. Syracuse athletic director Daryl Gross denies the report and calls it speculation.

Robinson's dismissal is  inevitable. Syracuse, who has a bye this week, has is 8-34 in three-plus seasons under Robinson and Big East programs like Cincinnati, USF, UConn and Rutgers have surpassed the Orange during that span. Robinson, who has a year remaining on his contract which pays him $1.1 million a season, is 2-22 in the Big East during his tenure.

---Rodney McKissic

Starks probable vs. Ohio

Junior tailback James Starks is probable with turf toe. Starks, the team’s leading rusher suffered the injury during the Western Michigan game two weeks ago and missed the Army game. Starks, who didn’t play at Missouri because of a sore hip, hasn’t practiced this week and Gill said he will be re-evaluated this weekend.

Also probable is sophomore outside linebacker Raphael Akobundu, who didn’t play against Army with a leg injury. Gill announced today that sophomore middle linebacker Tom Drewes will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a severe medial collateral ligament sprain in knee, the same injury that will sideline junior tailback Mario Henry for the same length of time. Drewes, who is also plays specials teams, has 15 tackles this season, including a sack.  Drewes and Henry join senior tight end Bryan Kisabeth and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Derrick Brown who are both out for the season with ACL injuries.

On the two deep which can be found here senior Adekunle Akingba, who tied a personal high with 10 tackles against Army, will back up Akobundu at outside linebacker ahead of true freshman Imani Chatman. Senior Chris Callahan, who also plays defensive end, will backup Scott Pettigrew at middle linebacker in place of Drewes, and true freshman Ray Anthony Long will backup sophomore Justin Winters at the other outside linebacker ahead of redshirt freshman John Syty.

There are no changes on offensive two deep.

---Rodney McKissic

Crucial year for Gonzalez

Bobby Gonzalez, a graduate of Buffalo State, is entering his third season at Seton Hall but Steve Politi of The Star-Ledger writes Gonzalez hasn't recruited nearly at the level you would expect from a coach who was supposed to bring strong ties to the NY/NJ basketball scene.

---Rodney McKissic

Syracuse picked eighth in Big East

Syracuse was picked to finish eighth in the Big East this morning by the league's coaches.

Here is the preseason coaches' poll:
1. Connecticut
2. Louisville
3. Pitt
4. Notre Dame
5. Villanova
6. Marquette
7. Georgetown
8. Syracuse
9. West Virginia
10. Providence
11. Cincinnati
12. Rutgers
13. Seton Hall
14. St. John’s
15. DePaul
16. USF

Orange guard and former Niagara Falls All-American Jonny Flynn was selected to the league's pre-season team. Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody, the Big East player of the year last season, was picked as the league's preseason player of the year. Greg Monroe of Georgetown and Samardo Samuels of Louisville were chosen co-preseason rookies of the year. For the first time since the Big East became a 16-team conference, all the schools will participate in tournament at Madison Square Garden from March 10-14. Pitt, which won four games in as many days last March, is the defending champion.

---Rodney McKissic

Will improved scheduling help the MAC?

Improved scheduling in the Mid-American Conference has been a mission for Rick Boyages the MAC's director of basketball operations. Using 2007-2008 rankings from RPIRatings.com, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer's Elton Alexander has established a good MAC schedule is comprised primarily by playing teams from the top 15 conferences, and by playing average to bad teams from very good conferences.

Based on scheduling, according to Alexander, eight MAC teams have a chance to land in either the NCAA Tournament, the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), or the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) with a strong winning season. He doesn't believe, however, that UB will be one of them.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 27, Army 24 - Final

Army’s Matthew Campbell missed a 51-yard field wide right in overtime to give UB a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Black Knights Saturday in front of 21,719, the fifth largest crowd in UB Stadium history.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 24, Army 24 -Overtime

It's overtime in back-to-back weeks for UB who got a key fumble recovery and a 15-yard TD pass from Drew Willy to Ernest Jackson to send the game into overtime. The Bulls lost in OT last week to Western Michigan.

---Rodney McKissic

Army 24, UB 10 - Third quarter

Army's Collin Mooney ripped off an 81-yard TD run near the end of the third quarter to give the Black Knights a 24-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

---Rodney McKissic

Army 10, UB 3 - Halftime

UB's offense, playing without starting tailback James Starks, is off to another slow start and Army's triple option is giving the Bulls fits as the Black Knights take a 10-3 lead into halftime.

---Rodney McKissic

Army 7, UB 0 - First quarter

Army took the lead after a 1-yard TD run by Patrick Mealy just before the end of the first quarter. The Bulls have the ball 1st and 10 from their own 29 to start the second quarter.

---Rodney McKissic

Starks out with turf toe

Junior Mario Henry is starting in place of James Starks at tailback for today's game against Army. Starks suffered a turf toe injury late this week in practice and isn't expected to play today.

---Rodney McKissic

Willy Unitas Award finalist

UB quarterback Drew Willy is one of 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award which honors the nation's top senior QB. Joining Willy are Tom Brandstater (Fresno State), Chase Clement (Rice), Chase Daniel (Missouri), Cullen Harper (Clemson), Graham Harrell (Texas Tech), Brian Johnson (Utah), Curtis Painter (Purdue), John Parker Wilson (Alabama) and Pat White (West Virginia).

Willy has completed 61.3 percent of his passes (122-of-199) for 1,456 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Last year’s winner of the Golden Arm Award was Boston College's Matt Ryan, who is now with the Atlanta Falcons.

---Rodney McKissic

UB shutout of preseason All-MAC team

The MAC announced its preseason all-league team, and voting for the teams was conducted among members of the MAC News Media Association as well as the league's men's basketball coaches. No one from UB made the team:

East Division
Nate Linhart, Akron
Nate Miller, Bowling Green
Al Fisher, Kent State
Michael Bramos, Miami
Jerome Tillman, Ohio

West Division
Anthony Newell, Ball State
Carlos Medlock, Eastern Michigan
Darion Anderson, Northern Illinois
Tyrone Kent, Toledo
David Kool, Western Michigan

---Rodney McKissic

UB football doesn't fare well in graduation rates

The NCAA released new graduation success rates Tuesday based on the incoming classes of 1998-2001, and UB didn't fares well when compared to other MAC football programs, graduating 61 percent of its players in the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate and 50 percent when measured by the federal rate --- the GSR doesn't penalize schools for transfers who leave in good academic standing.

Here's a story from the NCAA with more details. Here are the numbers for football graduations rates for the MAC based on incoming classes of 1998-2001. UB came into the league in 1999:

GSR
Miami 83
Ohio 81
Kent State 78
Bowling Green 75
Northern Illinois 73
Ball State 72
Central Michigan 70
Toledo 63
UB 61
Akron 61
Western Michigan 58
Eastern Michigan 52
Temple 49

Federal rates
Ohio 70
Kent State 69
Ball State 68
Miami 68
Central Michigan 64
Northern Illinois 63
Akron 61
Bowling Green 56
Toledo 52
Western Michigan 51
UB 50
Temple 47
Eastern Michigan 45

The federal rates are lower for every school as they count players who transfer as players who didn't graduate as opposed to the GSR, which rewards schools if those players were in good academic standing when they left. The national GSR rate for Division I-A schools is 67 percent, while the federal rate is 56 and UB is behind with both. The 1998-2001 period encompasses the end of the Craig Cirbus and the beginning of the Jim Hofher coaching eras.

---Here are the rates for the Big 4 schools and Syracuse in men's basketball with Niagara leading the way in both GSR and Federal:

GSR
Niagara 100
St. Bonaventure 80
UB 75
Canisius 69
Syracuse 50

Federal
Niagara 90
Canisius 52
St. Bonaventure 50
UB 44
Syracuse 42

---Rodney McKissic

Two deep vs. Army

Only a few minor changes on the two deep for Saturday's game against Army:

---UB coach Turner Gill said sophomore outside linebacker Raphael Akobundu is doubtful and sophomore middle linebacker Tom Drewes is questionable with injuries he declined to disclose. True freshman Imani Chatman is listed as Akobundu's backup, while Drewes is the backup to true freshman Scott Pettigrew.

---True freshman Zach Maynard, who received some snaps and completed a pass against Western Michigan, is the backup to Drew Willy at quarterback. Maynard and redshirt freshman Cory Jorgensen had previously been listed as Willy's backups.

---Junior Bruno Lapointe is listed as Andrae Smith's backup at defensive end ahead of senior Chris Callahan. Lapointe has two tackles this season.

---Senior defensive tackle Ronald Hilaire isn't listed on the depth chart, but is expected to play against Army. Hilaire missed 21/2 games with a leg injury but returned last week against Western Michigan.

---Rodney McKissic

Bowden fired at Clemson

While Syracuse is apparently not considering an in-season coaching change, one school has: Clemson.

The Tigers fired coach Tommy Bowden today. Every firing at a major school could have implications on Syracuse, should the Orange make a change, as appears likely. Clemson, for instance, is thought to be interested in former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, who has also been rumored as a possible candidate at Syracuse.

Anyway, looks as if the firing season has begun, one that for Orange fans may be as intriguing as what happens on the field.

---Rodney McKissic

Bulls favored over Army

UB's crushing defeat last Saturday to Western Michgian leaves the Bulls with an uphill battle for a bowl berth, but they are a 16-point favorite this weekend against Army, which is the biggest spread in favor of the Bulls in their Division I-A history.

UB has been pretty good against the spread this year, going 4-2. Also of note is that Syracuse is a 25-point underdog at South Florida Saturday.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 28, Western Michigan 28 -OT

Western Michigan scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and sent the game into overtime with a 9-yard TD with five seconds left in regulation from Tim Hiller to Jamarko Simmons.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 21, Western Michigan 6 - Third quarter

James Starks has 117 yards and the UB defense is holding one of the MAC's best offensive teams to just six points heading into the final quarter. Starks also has three TDs.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 14, Western Michigan 3

James Starks has two TDs, including a 66-yarder in the second quarter, and UB took a 14-3 lead into intermission. Starks has rushed for 101 yards on the afternoon.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 7, Western Michigan 0 - First quarter

The Bulls started slow with back-to-back three and outs before scoring on a six-yard TD by James Starks to take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter.

---Rodney McKissic

Gill on Phillips

UB coach Turner Gill said it is "sad" to see how life has turned out for Lawrence Phillips, the former Nebraska tailback, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. Gill was an Cornhuskers assistant when Phillips played for the school from 1993-96.

"It's sad,'' Gill said. "He's a human being. Obviously you hear about him because he's a football player, but it's sad and unfortunate that a person hasn't been able to change his behavior and become instrumental in our society."

---On a lighter note, UB tries to focus on winning the East Division title.

---The Kalamazoo Gazette writes how Gill has pumped life into UB's football program.

---Here's a scouting report on OT Jeremy Johnson, who recently gave UB a verbal commitment.

---Rodney McKissic

Sporting News ranks Syracuse 26th

The Sporting News - which features former Niagara Falls star Paul Harris on one of its covers - has the Orange rated No. 26 in the nation in its pre-season top 40, and sixth in the Big East. Here's TSN's predictions for the Big East, Atlantic 10, Mid-American Conference and Metro Athletic Athletic Conference:

Big East
1. UConn
2. Louisville
3. Pitt
4. Notre Dame
5. Marquette
6. Cuse
7. Villanova
8. Georgetown
9. West Virginia
10. Cincinnati
11. Providence
12. Seton Hall
13. Rutgers
14. DePaul
15. St. John's
16. South Florida

Best athlete: Paul Harris, Syracuse
Best leader: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
All Big East: Flynn

A-10
1. Xavier
2. Temple
3. Charlotte
4. Dayton
5. Saint Joseph's
6. Richmond
7. Saint Louis
8. Rhode Island
9. La Salle
10. UMass
11. George Washington
12. Duquesne
13. Fordham
14. St. Bonaventure

MAC
East Division
1. Miami
2. Akron
3. Bowling Green
4. Kent State
5. Ohio
6. UB

West Division
1. Western Michigan
2. Eastern Michigan
3. Central Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Toledo
6. Ball State

Best interview: Reggie Witherspoon, Buffalo

MAAC
1. Siena
2. Niagara
3. Rider
4. Loyola
5. Iona
6. Canisius
7. Fairfield
8. Manhattan
9. Marist
10. Saint Peter's

Top newcomer: Bilal Benn, Niagara
Top coach: Joe Mihalich, Niagara
All-MAAC Team: Frank Turner, Canisius

---Rodney McKissic

Jerrold out for the season

---UB coach Turner Gill announced that Jordan Jerrold will undergo knee surgery on Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the season. The junior right tackle has been hampered by a knee injury since training camp and had yet to play this season. Jerrold started all 12 games at right tackle a year ago and the final seven games as a true freshman in 2006. He will likely use a redshirt season and have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Junior Andrew West has started all five games at right tackle this season.

---Derrick Brown, a redshirt freshman defensive tackle, will also have knee surgery and Gill said Brown will be "out for a while."

---Senior defensive tackle Ronald Hilaire (leg) has been upgraded from out to doubtful for Western Michigan.

---On the Bulls' two-deep for Western Michigan junior Kendric Hawkins, who has yet to play this season because of a foot injury, is the backup to sophomore Domonic Cook. Junior Brett Hamlin is the backup punt returner to Ernest Jackson in place of Naaman Roosevelt. Jackson and junior tailback Mario Henry are listed as the kick returners.

---The Toronto Globe & Mail writes how Gill and quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett, a pair of former CFL products, are bringing respectability to UB's program.

---Rodney McKissic

Grading Turner Gill

Online Surveys & Market Research

Bulls favored over Western Michigan

---Western Michigan has won five in a row after losing its season opener at Nebraska and has allowed just 30 points in its last three games but UB, coming off a bye week, is a 3-point favorite against the Broncos this Saturday.

---Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit was a finalist for the UB job seven years ago that eventually went to Jim Hofher. Cubit landed the Western Michigan job in 2005 and the Broncos are 25-17 with a bowl appearance in three-plus season under his watch. We all know what happened to Hofher at UB - a 8-49 record and a .140 winning percentage in five seasons, the lowest of any coach in school history - but it's difficult to say if hiring Cubit over Hofher would have made a difference. Hofher was hired long before school president John Simpson and AD Warde Manuel came to UB and while Hofher can be criticized for some of his coaching moves (extreme changes in his offensive philosophy, recruiting, etc.) UB lacked the resources to compete on the Division I-A level during his tenure. Who knows if Cubit could have changed that?

---In his fast food for thought, Bob DiCesare writes that the MAC East is evolving into a three-team wtih UB, Bowling Green and Akron.

---John Henderson of the Denver Post writes that when Wyoming fires Joe Glenn, the Cowboys should look at UB coach Turner Gill among others. While it's assumed Gill won't leave UB for another non-BCS school consider Urban Meyer left Bowling Green for Utah before taking the Florida job and it wasn't considered a latt. Also, Wyoming pays Glenn a contract worth $550,000 annually which is $285,000 more than Gill, the 109th highest paid coach in the country.

---Gill said on his MAC conference call this morning that junior cornerback Kendric Hawkins (foot) is 100 percent and ready to play this weekend but that senior defensive tackle Ronald Hilaire (leg) is out and could miss the Army game as well. Hawkins has yet to play this season after suffering a stress fracture, while Hilaire missed games at Missouri and Central Michigan and the second half of the Temple game. Gill said he hopes to upgrade Hilaire to doubtful status for the Army game.

---Rodney McKissic

UB 5, Central Michigan 3 - Halftime

No, this isn't a high-scoring hockey game. A field-goal by A.J. Principe and a blocked punt by Tom Drewes which led to a safety is all the scoring UB needed to take a 5-3 halftime lead over the two-time defending MAC champions. The Chippewas got a 31-yard field goal from Andrew Aguila with 19 seconds left in the second quarter, but the UB defense forced three punts and allowed just 125 yards of total offense.

---Rodney McKissic 

UB 3, Central Michigan 0 - First quarter

UB scored a field goal on its opening drive to take a 3-0 lead. Junior tailback James Starks started the game and lined up in the slot at wide receiver in a five-wide set on the first play from scrimmage.

---Rodney McKissic

Starks a go, Hawkins a maybe

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - It looks like tailback James Starks will start today's game at Central Michigan and junior cornerback Kendric Hawkins, who has yet to play this season because of a stress fracture in his foot, is warming up and could see some playing time. Hawkins, who started seven games last season, gives the secondary quality depth.

---Rodney McKissic

Starks doubtful for Central Michigan

UB could be without injured All-MAC tailback James Starks and nose tackle Ronald Hilaire for Saturday's road game against Central Michigan.

Starks, who had 296 yards in the Bulls first three games, has a sore hip that occurred late in the win over Temple. Bulls coach Turner Gill listed Starks as doubtful on Tuesday but will be re-evaluated further this week. If Starks is out, sophomore Brandon Thermilus will likely get the start and share carries with junior Mario Henry.

Gill ruled Hilaire, who missed the Missouri game with a leg injury, out for Central Michigan. Junior Dane Robinson will start in his place.

Changes on UB's two deep for Central Michigan include junior Lawrence Rolle as the backup to senior Chris Scharon at fullback and junior Matt Bacoulis backing up sophomore Peter Bittner at left guard. On defense, true freshman Scott Pettigrew, who started at Missouri, will start again at middle linebacker and Tom Drewes is the backup. Senior Chris Callahan has moved up the depth chart and will back up senior Andrae Smith at defensive end, while redshirt freshman John Syty (Clarence) will back up sophomore Justin Winters at outside linebacker.

---Rodney McKissic

Gross: It isn't working out

Syracuse AD Dr. Daryl Gross, in this interview with ESPN.com said that the football team has yet to show the "obvious progress" necessary for Greg Robinson to remain as football coach beyond this season.

The Orange are 1-3 this seas