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Bulls will ride on back of sophomore Starks

Zips will have to stop player who roams at home

By David Lee Morgan Jr. Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Saturday, Oct 27, 2007

The Buffalo Bulls might be a surprise atop the Mid-American Conference East Division standings at 2-0, but the progress that coach Turner Gill has made in such a short time is being noticed.

Gill, the former Nebraska star quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist, has the Bulls charging in the MAC. Last season, Gill's first year, the Bulls scored their most points in a season (220) since they moved up to Division I-A in 1999. They also scored the most points (201) of any team in the MAC East Division.

This season, Buffalo (3-5 overall) is led by sophomore running back James Starks, who is fifth in the conference in rushing, averaging 84.1 yards.

The University of Akron's defense will face a stiff challenge

at Buffalo this afternoon, mainly because Starks has been outstanding at home.

In Buffalo's past two home games, Starks rushed for 414 yards and five touchdowns. He had 183 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-10 win against Ohio University on Oct. 4, and the following week, in a 43-33 win against Toledo, Starks rushed for 231 yards and three touchdowns.

That performance against the Rockets was the best by a MAC running back this season and the sixth-best in the country. It also was the best in the Bulls' Division I-A era and the third best in school history.

That's the challenge for UA's defense.

''Starks is probably one of the better backs, if not the best back, in the MAC,'' Zips linebacker Kevin Grant said. ''His numbers the last few weeks have been outstanding, and watching him on film, you can see what kind of runner he is. As a unit, you can see them coming together more and more each week.''

Zips coach J.D. Brookhart added: ''We have to stop Starks. That is the best chance we have to win. He is their guy. Their quarterback is effective, and they have good receivers . . . '' but Starks has been on a roll.

''On top of that, they are going to take advantage of him and use him in play-action and try to get to those receivers. You have to stop big plays.''

David Lee Morgan Jr. can be reachedat dlmorgan@thebeaconjournal.com. Readhis blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mac_attack/.

The Buffalo Bulls might be a surprise atop the Mid-American Conference East Division standings at 2-0, but the progress that coach Turner Gill has made in such a short time is being noticed.

Get the full article here.


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