Earlier this week, I spoke with Joe Konze, the UB Spectrum's sports editor and former football beat reporter, about what he's seen from Buffalo this season and what he's looking forward to Saturday. Here's a transcript of our conversation, edited for content and clarity.
The Post: Buffalo’s offense hinges on the production of junior running back Branden Oliver, who was sidelined last week against UConn because of an injury sustained against Kent State two weeks back. What can we expect from him Saturday?
Konze: As of right now, his status is day-to-day. As far as Branden Oliver goes, he’s an all-star. What I mean by that is that he’s a workhorse. He’ll run right up a hole that may not even be there. He will make one or bounce to the outside and make his cuts. He has great field vision. James Starks told Branden Oliver before he left that he’s going to break all (Starks’) records. Branden is the type of back where if he has his mind made up that he’s going to do something he does it. He’s been nothing short of what everyone expected him to be.
The Post: Say Oliver takes another week on the bench. In that case, who would you expect to step up in his wake?
Konze: There’s a junior-freshman duo that calls themselves the ‘Gruesome Twosome.’ It’s (junior) Brandon Murie, who opened fans’ eyes here last week against UConn when he showed he could carry a heavy workload, and then (freshman) Devin Campbell, who is a running back and wide receiver that gets a lot of touches too. They’re really good in the screen game, which makes the Bulls very unpredictable. They might run a two-back set out of the backfield and throw a screen to the left or right — you never know. They’re the flagbearers of the team right now.
The Post: As much as the backfield is a point of emphasis for the Bulls, Ohio will also have to key in on junior quarterback Alex Zordich, who started four games in his freshman season before missing the remainder of the season and his sophomore campaign because of injury. How has played this season?
Konze: It’s evident that he’s consistent with his feet. He makes good reads to find open space when people are covered. OU might have every receiver covered, but he might find a way through a hole in the defense and gain 30 yards. As far as throwing the ball goes, he’s accurate in the (short) game but the deep ball is still a little inconsistent. You never know what to expect with Zordich as far as the deep ball goes. I think his heart and where his head is during the game makes the Bulls’ identity. He may not statistically perform well, completing passes, but he may be setting the team up for the game-winning drive. You just never know with Zordich.
The Post: The Bulls’ big-name talent doesn’t stop with Oliver. Junior linebacker Khalil Mack was named tops in the MAC in 2011, and has been back with a vengeance this season. What sets him apart from the pack, do you think?
Konze: One thing I’ve noticed about Khalil Mack this season is that he never takes off a play. What I mean by that is no matter how tired he is, he is going to find a way in there. If you don’t see him in on a tackle it’s because somebody had a hat on him. You look for guys like (junior defensive lineman) Colby Way up the middle... they find their way in there when Khalil is taken away from the game. All that being said, when the chips are on the table and the Bulls are all in, Khalil Mack seems to be performing well on that big stage. But when he’s double-teamed, there’s three-to-four guys waiting to make that play.
The Post: Ohio’s two-pronged offensive attack has the potential to give the Bulls fits Saturday. What, do you think, is the lesser of two evils: Ohio redshirt junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton’s arm or redshirt junior running back Beau Blankenship’s explosiveness out of the backfield?
Konze: Everything’s unpredictable. I think the Bulls need to focus more on stopping the running game and make Tettleton take to the air. I know Tettleton has had a successful season throwing the ball, but by stopping the running game it closes that gap on passing routes. I think that’s where the Bulls should focus — stopping the run and not giving up those big yards and field position.
The Post:Buffalo has suffered losses to what some thought were comparable opponents in week’s past. What’s the attitude in Buffalo’s locker room this week?
Konze: Before the Kent State game, it had been said that if you looked in a mirror with Kent State and UB, that they were a spitting image of each other. When they lost that game it was a sense of, ‘Where do we stand? How do we gauge ourselves? Where do we go next?’ And then they travel to UConn, which is in the same position as a lot of these MAC teams, and the Bulls lose that game, which puts a bad taste in their mouth. They haven’t fired on all cylinders yet and it’s scary to think that once they do, and if Oliver returns, what this team can do with all their players and right mindset.
The Post: Lastly, what do you expect when it’s all said and done Saturday?
Konze: I am going to take a 10-point swing from my Monday prediction, in favor of Ohio. The reason I say that is that from what I saw (on film,) Ohio’s blitz packages could be a problem. I predict Ohio to take this game 31-21. I think the Bulls are going to come out with a (good) game plan, but Ohio’s offensive duo is too much for the Bulls’ defense to handle.
Jim Ryan is the assistant sports editor of The Post. Follow him and The Post Sports on Twitter for coverage of Saturday's game. Reach out to him at jr992810@ohiou.edu.
