Published: September 28, 2007 11:40 pm            

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Against well-armed foe, UB's hopes hinge on Starks

Despite all the hype about being competitive and creating a winning culture, the Buffalo Bulls won just three of the first 16 games of coach Turner Gill’s tenure.

Clearly, Gill has yet to perfect a recipe for success at UB. But he has discovered a key ingredient — Niagara Falls’ own, James Starks.

The sophomore running back played prominently in both of UB’s wins last season. He gained 86 yards after halftime in his debut, eventually igniting fireworks at UB Stadium by sprinting to the end zone to defeat Temple in overtime. In a 41-14 upset of Kent State, Starks rushed for a career-high 162 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Three weeks ago at Temple, Starks took a screen pass from Drew Willy 74 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for UB’s lone win in four games this season, a 45-7 statement that ranks as one of the finest days in program history.

On the whole, however, Starks has been inconsistent so far this season. Starting all four games, Starks is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry, less than half of the 5.3 average carried by UB’s other tailback Mario Henry.

Starks did have somewhat of a breakout performance in last week’s 34-21 loss to Baylor. He gained 62 yards on 14 carries (4.4 average), picked up another 33 yards receiving and scored all three of the Bulls’ touchdowns. In UB’s last two outings, Starks has found the end zone five times.

It figures that Starks will need to be as good or better for the Bulls to have a chance at defeating Ball State today. Henry is expected to sit out due to a knee injury. Brandon Thermilus, the powerful son of former NFL back Alonzo Highsmith, will likely see more carries, Gill said, but the pressure will be on Starks to fuel UB’s offense and keep the Cardinals’ star quarterback Nate Davis off the field.

Ball State ranks 10th in the MAC in rushing defense, allowing 230 yards per game, while the Davis-led passing game ranks second in the MAC, averaging a little more than 300 yards.

Gill said he likes how Starks, a high school quarterback, is developing as a running back.

“He has now had the opportunity to be in the game a little bit more often. He now understands the running back position better,” Gill said this week. “Everyone can see that he has some talent, and he is special when he has the ball in his arms. He can run over people, he can make people miss, and he shows good acceleration.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

        

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